“I really enjoyed being able to get more excited about the college game with her.”
Lately, it's Clark who's been causing a lot of “Did you see that?” questions. reaction. From text chains to ESPN highlight reels to internet memes, the 22-year-old Iowa senior is a transcendent star, popular enough that her scoring record became a must-see show on TV. .
Word to the wise: Don't miss it.
Iowa State trails by just eight points Thursday night against Michigan State, which will be streamed exclusively on Peacock, and Clark could pass former Washington standout Kelsey Plumb before the end of the first quarter.
But more important for the 6-foot point guard will be rebounding after his team's come-from-behind loss to Nebraska last Sunday. 2 The Hawkeyes were unable to stop a strong fourth-quarter comeback by the unranked Huskers, and lost despite Clark's 31-point, 10-assist performance. After the defeat, they fell to 4th place.
The pre-Super Bowl game was played in front of 15,043 fans and nearly resulted in a tie. 1.8 million viewers Fox's most-watched women's college basketball game in the network's history is evidence of a phenomenon that has become known as the “Caitlin Effect,” and every game she plays, whether on the road or at home. This is a phenomenon where tickets are sold out in advance. Fans ranging from young children to elderly alumni lined up hours before doors opened, her autographs being sought like gold and her comments parsed like the president's words.
“The whole thing is still surreal to me. It's hard to understand,” Meyer said. “This is one of those things where we recognize what a big star she is and the impact she's had and will continue to have on the women's basketball world, maybe five years, 10 years. 20 years wouldn't shock me.
“For me, it's so fun to watch her go through all of this. I don't think she was ever trying to break any scoring records. She just wanted to see how good she could be. And I was challenging myself to see how good my teammates could be.
“For her, it’s just the result of the hard work and passion she put in.”
And in the midst of it all, amidst the attention, hype and spotlight that flared so hot after last year's Final Four and title game loss to LSU and a spirited Angel Reese, Clark It seems like you're not just trying to understand what's going on. she accepts it. As the women's sport continues to grow in popularity, Clark stands at the crossroads of opportunity and ability, with the skills and personality to become the game's next big thing, not to mention its growing competitiveness. fully prepared to become
“Women's sports and basketball are getting a lot of attention, but there have been a lot of great athletes in the past who deserve more attention than ever before,” Meyer said. “For some reason, Kaitlyn is out in front now and is drawing more attention to the game. But when I talk to people, they're not just watching Kaitlyn and the Iowa game; I watch LSU, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and all the other games.
“Caitlyn is getting a lot of attention right now, and it's getting the attention of all the players. And it's necessary. The game has been at a high level for a long time.”
And even higher. After one of his few trips to the East Coast, when Iowa State visited Big Ten foe Rutgers, Clark dangled in the bleachers with arms outstretched, autograph seekers and sharpies at the ready. , and why he stopped for as many players as possible.
“One moment in my day can change someone else's day. That's how I was raised,” she said that night. “And I was that girl too. I remember going to the game like this: I wanted a high five, I wanted an autograph, I wanted a T-shirt.
“This alone takes up a whole year or a week, but it really only takes a second of the day. Also, like you said, it's something that they remember for a really long time.'' It’s a moment.”
Thursday night, Clark, who has 3,520 career points and averages 32.1 points per game, is almost certain to have a memorable moment. By the end of her college career, she should erase Plum's record, and in the process she will likely achieve two other important records. She is ahead of Lynette Woodard's 3,649 points, who scored at Kansas before the NCAA allowed women's sports, and Pete Maravich's 3,667 points in three seasons. For LSU.
The sports world will also be paying attention. Warriors guard Stephen Curry is happy to draw comparisons between Clark's game and his own. To the Manning Brothers, she became the first college athlete to join the Monday Night Football “Manning Cast.”To Plum who was kind to me handed over the scoring mantle Those lucky enough to secure tickets to the game, which sold for thousands of dollars on the secondary market as tip-offs approached, will be paying close attention.
will you do? Word to the wise: Don't miss it.
Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. Contact her at tara.sullivan@globe.com.follow her @Globe_Tara.
