Caitlyn Blazes Trail for Women’s Basketball

A record of 12.8M viewers watched Iowa’s victory over LSU on ESPN in the Elite Eight of the ongoing Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. It was the most watched of the Elite Eight match-ups for women this season. But the big surprise was that it even surpassed the 2023 NBA Finals and Major League Baseball’s World Series viewership records last year! These mind-boggling figures, coupled with Iowa’s consistently-high TV rating records are putting women’s basketball finally on the map.

And all these would not have been possible without the sensational play of one fantastic young lady from Iowa, Caitlin Clark. Caitlin’s court wizardry has brought in hordes of fans. Caitlin, who swept many collegiate records on her way to this year’s March Madness Championship, has developed a phenomenal star power attraction that has led to the fast-growing popularity of women’s college basketball. In fact, more fans are following the women’s bracket in the NCAA this year than they do the men’s side. Caitlin has without a doubt left a huge mark in college basketball. (Please read: The Caitlin Clark Effect. Just click on the title.)

Names such as Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, coach Lisa Bluder, coach Kim Mulkey, Paige Bueckers, Kamilla Cardoso, Aaliyah Edwards have also become household names as a result of Caitlin’s amazing run this year. Just recently, Caitlin annexed the NCAA records in career assists and tournament 3-pt field goals, to add to her growing records harvest. Caitlin is a huge inspiration not just to young girls, but to young boys as well, with her grit and determination.

The Iowa Hawkeyes return to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship this year with a come-from-behind win over the taller, more talented Connecticut Huskies 71-69 in the Final Four. They had earlier exacted sweet revenge over Angel Reese and the defending champs LSU Tigers 94-87 in the Elite 8. They will be facing the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday (3am Monday Phil time) for the NCAA Championship.

It will be recalled that last year’s finals saw the emergence of an intriguing rivalry between Caitlin and Angel Reese, where Angel taunted Caitlin with a ‘can’t-see-me’ gesture in a won game. This year, the tables were turned, with Caitlin getting her revenge, and Angel in tears after they were unceremoniously booted out by Caitlin in the Elite Eight.

Caitlin eliminated yet another top caliber rival in Paige Bueckers in their recent Final Four win against UConn, 71-69. Caitlin reportedly wanted to join UConn as a freshman years back, but UConn coach Geno Auriemma opted to land the top backcourt prospect then, which was Paige. The win over UConn then is some sort of revenge for Caitlin, after being snubbed by the team.

Caitlin’s non-selection by UConn has been providential of sorts, as she has achieved more success as the focal point of the Iowa offense. Had she joined UConn, she would have ended up as the second option in a powerhouse backcourt duo with Paige. It could have been an unbeatable dynamic duo, but Caitlin would have ended up splitting ball-handling duties, and would not have achieved the level of success she has had with Iowa.

Tomorrow, Caitlyn and her crew will face the taller South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks, unbeaten this year and having steamrolled past a more-than-worthy North Carolina State Wolfpack team 78-59 in the other half of the Final Four match-ups, are another formidable team. But the Hawkeyes are unfazed. They have met the Gamecocks in last year’s Final Four, where they cut the bigger Gamecocks down to size.

Caitlin and her underdog Iowa Hawkeyes are doing women’s basketball a great service. They are putting the spotlight on the women’s game, giving them opportunities with more visibility, and thus more revenues and endorsements. Caitlin is giving the sport a wider audience, adding more excitement and energy in the game. Her immense following will benefit the WNBA, giving the league the much needed boost, and an even greater chance to elevate the women’s pro game further.

In the 80s, the NBA was on the verge of bankruptcy. Then 2 rivals – Magic Johnson and Larry Bird – joined hands to make the NBA more exciting. Then Michael Jordan came, followed by the likes of Shaq O’Neill, Kobe Bryant, then Lebron came in. Caitlyn has the capability to be as influential as these icons. Together with her arch-rival Angel, plus the other incoming collegiate stars in Paige, Kamilla and others, this could be the turning point for the WNBA.

Cover photo courtesy of the Denver Post. Other photos courtesy of the Daily Iowan, LA Times, WSPA, the Hollywood Reporter, Gamecock Scoop and WIS.