Iowa G Caitlin Clark vs UConn G Paige Bueckers is as “marquee a matchup of individuals as there’s ever been in women’s college hoops"Getty Images
The NCAA Women's Final Four this weekend in Cleveland is arguably the most anticipated edition in event history, and the UConn-Iowa game, featuring Paige Bueckers going against Caitlin Clark, “could set another ratings record for women’s college basketball." according to Tom Krasovic of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Clark’s “wizardry on the court is equating to TV ratings gold” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/4). In Philadelphia, Jonathan Tannenwald wrote Clark vs Bueckers is as “marquee a matchup of individuals as there’s ever been in women’s college hoops.” UConn coach Geno Auriemma noted the matchup plays into the “star-driven society that we live in.” He said, “It’s a celebrity driven, star-driven, influencer-driven world that’s been created” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/4). In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy wrote he “had little interest in the women’s game back in the days when UConn was dominating everyone,” because there “was no competition.” Now it is “an almost perfect product” with “tremendous parity, star power.” Shaughnessy: “Did any of you consider watching Celtics-Hornets while Clark was jousting with Angel Reese? Not me” (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/5).
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT PEOPLE, RIGHT TIME: In Houston, Danielle Lerner wrote the “sheer talent” that players like Clark and Bueckers display on the court, “along with the constant swirl of media hype around them, lends itself to the perception that women’s college basketball is becoming more star-driven than ever before.” Auriemma said, “It needs people that have the right personality, the right game. And we have that now. ... They’ve been there before, but it just feels different now.” Mercury G Diana Taurasi said, “The women’s game has always been about stars, especially when it comes to college, because we stay four years.” However, Lerner noted what is different now “are the conditions that can further skyrocket players’ popularity to unprecedented levels.” When Taurasi entered the WNBA in 2004, Instagram “was six years from being launched” and the term NIL “was primarily known as a soccer scoreline.” Current players “grew up with social media and arrived in college at a time when women’s sports are an increasingly larger part of the national consciousness” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/4).
CUPBOARD ISN'T BARE: In D.C., Liam Griffin wrote Clark is part of a “generation of media-savvy college hoops stars" who have made the women’s tournaments must-watch TV. Even with Clark and Reese leaving for the WNBA, college basketball “will have stars on the courts next season.” Bueckers will return to school in the fall, while USC G JuJu Watkins set the D-I freshman scoring record this season. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said that the “future of college basketball is in good hands” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/4). In Detroit, Shawn Windsor wrote college basketball “has more stars on the women’s side than the men’s, and it’s not particularly close.” The “gals create more buzz than the guys now.” While there have “been incredible players in the college women’s game going back decades," players like Clark and Watkins "are different” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/5).
THIS IS A MOVEMENT: THE ATHLETIC’s Jim Trotter wrote the “good thing for collegiate women’s basketball is that it has both: great young players to fill the void when Clark is gone,” such as Watkins, Bueckers and LSU G Flau’jae Johnson. There also “remains no shortage of storylines,” starting with South Carolina, the only undefeated team in this year’s Final Four. That is a “squad that figures to drive discussion for years to come.” Trotter: “A moment? Nah, this has the look and feel of a movement. A movement that is long overdue” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/4). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes women's college basketball "has always had stars," but the "foundation to support them" was needed. Armour: "Now, besides social media making players more accessible than ever, there is investment from the power brokers. And that goes beyond financial support. ... It’s not interest in a particular player or team or coach that will keep the game growing. It’s interest in the game overall now that there's a structure in place to support it" (USA TODAY, 4/5).
CAITLIN CLARK, AN APPRECIATION: In Las Vegas, Ed Graney wrote people “will be talking about the journey Clark has inspired for decades to come,” including how her ability to “create a massive fan base grew the game of women’s basketball.” She has transformed that game as Warriors G Steph Curry “once did the men with her 3-point shooting and NCAA scoring records.” She has “also made so many view women’s basketball in a different way." Graney: “She’s a generational talent in a sport that has produced more than its share, a player whose legacy swims far past her numbers.” The WNBA “is the most popular it’s ever been,” and women’s college basketball “has followed suit.” Graney: "You could never discount the difference Clark made in raising such interest. You can’t deny her role” (
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/4). In D.C., Sally Jenkins wrote there is "something expansive and monumental about Clark’s game that invites new audiences and renders other great players” -- even a “fellow generational talent such as Bueckers -- almost ordinary-seeming” (
WASHINGTON POST, 4/5).
