Caitlin Clark bids farewell to the regular season at the Carver, with tickets commanding the highest prices in NCAA basketball history.
As she nears the milestone of becoming the NCAA’s top scorer of all time, the stage is set for an epic clash. All eyes are on Clark as she chases Pistol Pete’s [Pete Maravich] all-time scoring record.
In the highly awaited face-off between the top two seeded teams, the cheapest ticket available is priced at $297, located in corner F section on VividSeats. Currently, the most expensive seat in the arena is listed at $1,356, situated in sideline section BB.
ESPN’s College Gameday makes its way to Iowa
ESPN’s College GameDay is making a return visit to Iowa City for the second year in a row. The show will kick off at 10 a.m. CT, featuring a lineup of esteemed basketball analysts, including Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter, Rebecca Lobo, Carolyn Peck, and Holly Rowe.
Excitement builds for the No. 6 Iowa Hawkeyes clashing against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This game holds extra significance as Iowa bids farewell to its seniors, especially Caitlin Clark, who recently announced her WNBA Draft entry.
Announcing her decision to forego a fifth season at Iowa, Clark expressed the need for transparency heading into senior night with her teammates. She stressed the importance of savoring the moment and celebrating the program’s growth. Following the game, Iowa will celebrate senior night, with Caitlin Clark focusing on one goal: defeating Ohio State.
“My main goal is beating Ohio State,” said Clark in post game press conference. “I think we are all just super excited for another opportunity at them. “
Earlier in the year, Ohio State clinched a victory over Iowa in overtime
The Buckeyes (25-3) will clash with the Hawkeyes (25-4) in a significant BigTen matchup with tip-off at 1 p.m. ET. All eyes are on Iowa seeking redemption after their overtime loss to Ohio State with 18,660 spectators at Value City Arena. Ohio State made a remarkable comeback from a 12-point deficit.
In the fourth quarter, they outscored the Hawkeyes 25-8, and Jacy Sheldon sealed the deal with two free-throws in the final 26 seconds of overtime.
It was a game Caitlin Clark wishes to put behind her. Despite her standout performance, she was accidentally knocked down as Buckeye fans rushed onto the court in celebration. Fortunately, Clark emerged unscathed from the incident, but it was a tense moment for the nation’s top player. Additionally, the defeat ended Iowa’s 15-game winning streak.
In that game, Clark finished with a season-best 45 points, 2 steals, 1 block, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds. Shooting 12-25 from the field, the Iowa native was solid from the free-throw line at 14-16.
Hannah Stuelke and Molly Davis combined for 24 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. Ohio State’s defensive pressure limited the Hawkeyes to 46.2% shooting from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc.
Caitlin Clark contributes to 34.7% of the Hawkeyes’ offensive output
With a 7-1 conference record, the Hawkeyes find themselves in a similar position as last season when they ended at 31-7. Under coach Lisa Bluder, Iowa has been dominant at home with a 12-1 record and recent victories over Minnesota and Illinois. Against ranked opponents, Iowa boasts notable wins against Virginia Tech, Kansas State, and Indiana.
Certainly, Caitlin Clark has been the focal point with her exceptional career achievements. Averaging 32.2 points per game, she makes up 34.7% of the team’s offense. Nonetheless, her teammates have played crucial roles, providing support on and off the court. Leading NCAA women’s basketball with the highest scoring average of 92.7 points per game, Iowa looks to continue their success on Sunday.
Clark has been exceptional at home, averaging 32.9 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 40.8% from beyond the arc.
Ohio State has demonstrated their prowess this season with a 6-1 conference record and an important win at home. Jacy Sheldon finished with 24 points and seven rebounds to seal the deal, while Cotie McMahon, the no. 18 seed at the time, recorded a career-best 33 points and 12 rebounds.
Senior Day
Sophomore Hannah Stuelke stands as the second-highest scorer on the team, averaging 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Alongside Stuelke, senior guard Kate Martin contributes significantly with 13 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Despite not being the highest-ranked team, Clark and the rest of the squad present a formidable challenge once again this season. After the game, Clark, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, Sharon Goodman, and Molly Davis will receive a proper senior sendoff.
As Iowa aims to host the first round of the NCAA tournament, it’s a prime occasion to honor the athletes who have played vital roles in the program’s achievements. The team’s core, consisting of five players, holds a total of 100 wins and played crucial roles in guiding Iowa to the NCAA Championship title game last season.
Ohio State has secured 15 consecutive victories
After a successful season-opening, the Buckeyes march steadily towards potential success. After their loss to USC, Ohio State has been an indomitable force, maintaining a flawless record since their clash with Michigan on the 30th of December.
Throughout this impressive winning streak, they have climbed the rankings, securing 15 consecutive triumphs. Noteworthy among these victories are their successes against tough adversaries like ranked squads Indiana, Iowa, Penn State, and Tennessee.
Among the squad, senior Jacy Sheldon shines as the top scorer, averaging an impressive 18 points per game. Following closely behind are Cotie McMahon, Taylor Thierry, and Celeste Taylor, all contributing double-digit points, highlighting the team’s depth and scoring flexibility.
While falling short of the final four last year, the team made significant moves by acquiring Taylor, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year transfer from Duke. With March Madness on the horizon, Ohio State recently clinched crucial wins against Michigan, Maryland, and Penn State. In their last five games, they have outscored opponents Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Maryland, and Michigan.
Key Players
Iowa
- Caitlin Clark (Senior, guard): 32.2 PPG | 7.4 RPG | 8.7 APG | 1.7 SPG | 39.5 % 3PT
- Molly Davis (Senior, guard): 6.3 PPG | 2.3 RPG | 3.2 APG | 1 SPG | 40.7 % 3PT
- Hannah Stuelke (Sophomore, guard): 14.1 PPG | 6.8 RPG | 1.4 APG | 1 SPG | 63.9 FG %
- Kate Martin (Senior, guard): 13 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 2.6 APG | 52.3 FG %
OSU
- Cotie McMahon( Sophomore, forward):14.3 PPG | 6.5 RPG | 2.2 APG | 2.0 BPG | 47.2 FG %
- Jacy Sheldon (Senior, guard) : 18 PPG | 3.4 RPG | 3.6 APG | 2.1 SPG | 38.4 % 3PT
- Celeste Taylor (Senior, guard): 10.3 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 3.4 APG | 2.3 SPG
- Taylor Thierry (Junior, guard) :11.4 PPG | 5.5 RPG | 1.5 APG | 1.8 SPG | 46.2 % 3PT
- Rebeka Mikulasikova (Senior, forward) :9.1 PPG | 2.9 RPG | 2.5 APG | 38.3 % 3PT
The Buckeyes are not invincible
Ohio State has maintained an impressive track record, positioning themselves for a potential top seed with a win over Iowa. Their scoring average of 80.6 points per game ranks 15th in the league. Defensively, they have conceded an average of 62.9 points per game, but their struggle with rebounding has plagued them throughout the season.
For Iowa to script a Cinderella tale on senior day, they must prioritize ball possession, as Ohio State thrives on high-paced play and exploits turnovers. Iowa has refined their defensive tactics, including employing the box-and-one defense strategy. If they can execute defensively, victory might well be within their reach.
Once again, it might all hinge on Caitlin Clark, who was the key player for Iowa in their previous encounter against Ohio State. With the Buckeyes securing the Big Ten Champions title outright, the stakes are not as high.
