The Hawkeye women did something no other Iowa team had done — make it to the NCAA championship game.
In a perfect world, the Hawks would have won but LSU was in its first Championship game and played a great game. Iowa picked a bad time to get into foul trouble as Caitlin Clark, Monica Czinano and McKenna Warnock all picked up their fourth foul early in the third quarter.
Monica played 21 minutes scoring 13 points with six boards.
McKenna had nine points and six rebounds in 25 minutes.
That is kind of sad that the two seniors spent almost half of their last Hawkeye game on the bench.
LSU picked a good time to make 3-pointers.
Before the game, the Tigers were shooting 34% from three.
Against Iowa, LSU was 11-17 (64.7%).
This play right before half kind of sums up the game.
LSU had the ball with five seconds left leading 56-42. Jasmine Carson got the ball outside the 3-point line, was covered and threw up a prayer. It was answered with a bank shot and LSU led 59-42 at intermission.
Jasmine, who hadn’t scored in the last three games, was 7-8 from the floor, 5-6 from the 3-point line and 3-4 from the free throw line.
Go figure.
Caitlin Clark finished the season with 30 points and eight assists.
Caitlin had the first 40 point triple double in NCAA tournament history and had the most points ever in NCAA tournament history.
It’s hard to see Monica and McKenna go.
They gave up their heart and soul for the Hawkeyes in their careers.
Overall a great season and a fun team to watch.
Iowa Knocks off Top Ranked South Carolina 77-73
I don’t like to admit this by I was one of the fans that didn’t give the Hawkeyes much of a chance last Friday.
I mean the South Carolina Gamecocks were defending champs, had 42 game winning streak and some considered one of the best teams of all time. SC had 6-4, 6-5 and 6-7 players that played key roles including Aliyah Boston who was Player of the Year last season. By the way, that is the first time in the history of Iowa basketball that the Hawks beat a No. 1 ranked team.
SC dominated the glass (49-25) including 26 offensive rebounds.
That led to a 24-8 advantage on second chance points. The Gamecocks also outscored the Hawks on bench points 38-6. Iowa led for 35:53 and also shot 30% (7-23) from three and pretty much dared SC to shoot outside while packing the paint as South Carolina was 4-20 (20%) from deep.
How did the Hawks win?
Caitlin Clark put up her second straight 41 point game.
No one has ever done that in a Final Four game.
Monica Czinano was 6-8 from the floor and 6-6 from the free throw line finishing with 18.
Iowa led 59-55 at the start of the fourth quarter when Caitlin took the Hawks home.
Clark scored 16 points and handed out an assist to who else, Monica Czinano.
Caitlin ended the game going 4-4 from the free throw line and being involved in Iowa’s final 18 points.
What an amazing player. Caitlin has won pretty much every award possible but it’s her off the court presence that is so wonderful.
The analysts call her a generational player and say that nobody has ever done what she has done.
Right now she is the face of college basketball and when the game is over she is always available to give the youngsters autographs or selfies. To see those kids eyes light up when Caitlin shows up is something the kids will never forget.
The highly anticipated game drew 5.5 million viewers. That is the third largest audience to watch a women’s game on ESPN. It is the most to watch a semifinal game.
Iowa has 31 wins, the most ever by a Hawkeye team.
Spring Football
Last week I talked about the offensive line which will have one transfer fighting for a starting job.
Daijon Parker (6-5, 300) transferred from Saginaw Valley State and will have two years eligibility to play for Iowa. Parker played in 18 games the last two years at State. He was lightly recruited out of high school because he weighed 220 pounds.
Other backups on the O-line include RS freshman Jack Dotzler (6-6, 266) at left tackle. Jack was unanimous first team all-state in Wisconsin and was named Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Tyler Elsbury (6-5, 308), Mike Myslinski (6-3, 287) and Gennings Dunker (6-5, 316) are also listed as backups. Tyler has played in 25 games with two starts.
Gennings played in 11 games last year with one start.
Tight ends
Sam LaPorta is going to the NFL.
The 6-4, 242 pound tight end had 1,786 yards on 153 receptions.
Among Iowa tight ends all time, Sam is first in receptions and second, behind Marv Cook in receiving yards. Sam was a highlight reel in the Bowl win over Kentucky bouncing off six Wildcat tacklers.
Luke Lackey (6-6, 252) should step up and be another all Big Ten selection. Luke has played in 27 games with ten starts catching 36 passes with four touchdowns. Luke caught 28 passes last year and scored the four TD’s.
The Hawks picked up a good one in the transfer portal.
Eric All (6-5, 255) a former Michigan Wolverine is a Hawkeye. Eric has played in 35 games with 12 starts.
In 2021, Eric was honorable mention All-Big Ten catching 38 passes for 437 yards and two touchdowns.
Addison Ostrenga (6-4, 234) played as a true freshman in 13 games last year with one catch.