ALBANY, N.Y. — Caitlin Clark, the greatest entertainer of all time, delivered the show America was dying to see.
Iowa and LSU are a rematch of last year's title game. Clark and Angel Reese will face off again, and he is the only one to make it to the final four.
“I think everyone's pretty excited. Last year, 12 million people tuned in to watch this game, and it could be the same this time,” Iowa coach Lisa Bruder said Monday night. , said after the Hawkeyes defeated Colorado 89-68 to set up a date with LSU in the Elite Eight.
“These are two really good basketball teams, and it's almost a shame to play them this early,” Bruder added. “But all the guys that are left now are really good. LSU is that for sure.”
In fact, the game peaked at 12.6 million viewers, but Bruder is right. Clark and Reese's trash talk and playmaking during and before games last year was an absolute gift to women's sports. Interest in women's sports, which was already on the rise, exploded and continued into this season.
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Their reunion in this year's NCAA Tournament, which will be the last for Clark and likely the last for Reese, is a gift to all of us.
“Anytime you have a chance to play against an opponent you lost to, you get a little more energy,” Clark said. “At this point in the tournament, every team is a good team. Whether you're playing West Virginia, whether you're playing Colorado, whether you're playing LSU, you prepare exactly the same. Exactly the same. Approach with a certain mindset.
“Overall, it’s going to be a really great game for women’s basketball.”
It was made even better by the fact that there were times during the season and this tournament when it seemed like it wasn't going to happen. Even after being put on a collision course by the selection committee.
What, the committee was going to miss out on a rematch? Committee members are also fans of the game.
Third-seeded LSU had a strong season and gave it their all in the first round against Rice. Reese had a season-low 10 points against the Owls, but also grabbed 19 rebounds.
Iowa has looked vulnerable since the Big Ten Tournament title game. The Hawkeyes needed overtime to beat Nebraska and claim their third straight championship, but were then pushed by Holy Cross and then by West Virginia. Losing starter Molly Davis to injury in the final game of the regular season didn't help either, although it seemed as if the enthusiasm that had surrounded them during the attack on Clark's record had finally caught up with them.
But Clark is at his best when the spotlight is on him, and Saturday's game was no exception.
more:Iowa State and LSU will meet again, this time in the Elite Eight.Caitlin Clark spotlights Angel Reese
opinion:LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey faces scrutiny that male coaches don't.
She set the tone for the Hawkeyes with a driving layup on Iowa's first possession and fed Gabby Marshall and Kate Martin for the next two buckets. After Jaylin Sherrod's layup cut Iowa's lead to three points, Clark fed Martin and then Hannah Stuelke to start Iowa's run.
By the time Clark hit the same step-back 3-pointer he stole from Massachusetts, Iowa had a 14-point lead and the game was effectively over. Colorado was able to get within single digits two more times in the first half, only for Clark to fight back each time.
Iowa State held a double-digit lead throughout the second half.
“It was the first time in about three games that we were able to put together what felt like a complete basketball game on both ends of the floor, whether it was transition, defense or actually running the offense,” Clark said. said. “I think we can build on that and carry that momentum into the next game.”
Clark had 29 points, 15 assists and was four rebounds shy of a triple-double. She had just two turnovers, despite having six or more in her last five games.
But even more important than Clark getting back into shape was getting the rest of the Iowa team back into their groove as well.
Four other Hawkeyes scored in double figures, including Stuerke's double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Martin's near-one (14 points, nine boards). Sidney Affolter, who was thrust into the starting lineup due to Davis' injury, had a monster performance, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor and finishing with 15 points, the second most of the season. Marshall finished 14th.
The Hawkeyes also held Colorado to under 38% shooting and won the rebound battle 43-34.
“Obviously there's a lot of attention on Kaitlyn, and she's going to get the attention of one or two people throughout the possession. So I think that leaves it open to others.” said Marshall. “And I think what you saw tonight was just a complete basketball game.”
With Reese and LSU waiting, the timing couldn't have been better.
In a season where nearly every game Clark and Iowa played seemed like a historic event, this game would be truly epic.
Follow USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armor on social media @nrarmour.
