college basketball
march madness 2024
Published March 25, 2024 at 9am ET
IOWA CITY, Iowa — This phenomenon was born in an alternate universe.
In silence.
In fear.
In front of cardboard cutouts.
Caitlin Clark first played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She scored 27 points in her debut and went on to become the nation's leading scorer as a freshman.
Still, winning the Sweet 16 didn't prevent Iowa from eliminating some of its seats starting next season after 34 years of full seats.
As a senior, Clark never saw an empty chair.
“I remember rushing to the first sold-out crowd and I got chills,” Clark said. “Now we get to do it every night. It's never gotten old. It's really crazy how much things have changed and how special it is that we're able to do it now.” .”
Caitlin Clark warms up UO before the University of Iowa's NCAA Tournament game against Holy Cross on March 23, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
This is a place where stars became saviors, teenagers became celebrities, and athletes became inspirations.
This is the court Clark hoisted from a 35-foot height to break Kelsey Plumb's NCAA scoring record, en route to a program-record 49-point performance, and where she broke Pete Maravich's Division I total. He passed the scoring mark and hit the buzzer-beater. 3-point shooting between Indiana and Michigan State. A girl from West Des Moines sparked one of the most exciting atmospheres in college basketball.
Clark will enjoy one more night in heaven.
And with the end of Monday night's second-round NCAA Tournament game between No. 1 Iowa (30-4) and No. 8 West Virginia (25-7), her career on a court that changed sports will come to an end. will be hit.
An Iowa State fan holds up a Caitlin Clark sign. AP
“I don't think it shocked me at all, to be honest,” Clark said. “As a competitor, you don't have time to dwell on the feeling that this is your last time. I'm sure you'll win when the final buzzer sounds.”
Clark's final home game could be the last of her college career.
The Hawkeyes are heavy favorites, just as they were in Clark's second season, when No. 2 seed Iowa upset No. 10 seed Creighton in the second round on their home floor.
Here's everything you need to know about Caitlin Clark's March Madness run
Printable NCAA Women's Slots: Complete the 2024 March Madness Field
Last year, Clark's magical run into the tournament and introduction to mainstream America almost didn't materialize, as No. 7 seed Georgia held the ball and had a chance to advance in the final minutes of the second round.
On Sunday, Iowa State, which hasn't lost at home since Nov. 16, was eliminated on its home floor by the team that finished top in the Big Ten (Ohio State).
“Certainly, I know the spotlight is there,” Clark said. “I know there's definitely pressure, but I'm not afraid of it. I wouldn't want it any other way.
“It's not handed to you on a silver platter. That's the way it works now.”
Caitlin Clark's career at Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be over. USA TODAY Sports (via Reuters Con)
Before Clark's arrival, Iowa State had not reached the Final Four since 1993.
The program had never appeared in a national championship game.
Fans will come to say goodbye and thank you.
Like college seniors, young and old, they will grieve and hang on to the end.
They arrived hours early, as usual, and stood in the cold, chanting, waiting for the door to open in an inconspicuous building with low ceilings and a coat tucked away in a quiet corner of campus, near the earth's core. It turns out. There was no escape from the noise, and there was no place for him in the luxurious suite. There, a skinny girl with a ponytail became the biggest star in the history of the sport.
It's not a university.
It's a different world.
“I told my mom the other day that the last four years have been so much fun and I hope everyone is laughing and having fun,” Clark said. “As a player, it feels like an end. Win or lose, this is your last, so you have to accept that and enjoy every moment.”
Load more…
{{#isDisplay}} {{/isDisplay}}{{#isAniviewVideo}} {{/isAniviewVideo}}{{#isSRVideo}} {{/isSRVideo}}
https://nypost.com/2024/03/25/sports/caitlin-clarks-home-goodbye-comes-with-one-devastating-iowa-worry/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons
Copy and share the URL
Source link