Iowa W Basketball

Iowa star Caitlin Clark isn't currently focused on a $5 million offer to join the BIG3 league, telling reporters on Friday that she's concentrating on the Hawkeyes' 2024 NCAA tournament run instead.

"I honestly don't talk about those things with really anybody," Clark said, per TMZ Sports. "I have other people that deal with it. They haven't said a word to me about it. And, my main focus is on this team and helping us find a way to beat Colorado and hopefully win another one after that."

On Wednesday, BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube confirmed earlier reports about the offer and wrote that "Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3."

The 22-year-old wasn't aware that the offer was coming before it was announced, telling the media on Friday that she found out at "the same exact time you all did."

The offer consists of all $5 million guaranteed, with Clark scheduled to play in eight regular-season BIG3 games and potentially two playoff games if she accepts (via TMZ). The league would also reportedly allow her to pursue a WNBA career while under contract.

Clark officially declared for the WNBA draft on Feb. 29 and is still in the midst of another tremendous season with Iowa. She became the NCAA's all-time leading scorer on March 3 and won her third consecutive Big Ten Player of the Year award.

In 35 starts, Clark has averaged 31.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while dishing out 8.8 assists per game. She's remained a deadly long-range shooter, hitting 37.9 percent of her 13.6 three-point attempts per game.

It's understandable that Clark is focused on the NCAA tournament for now, as the Hawkeyes are looking to avenge their title game loss in 2023. Iowa is currently set to face off against Colorado in the Sweet 16, with tipoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Following the Hawkeyes' current tournament run, Clark will likely take a longer look at the large offer to join the BIG3 if she's able to maintain her upcoming WNBA career as well.

Caitlin Clark and the Iowa women's basketball team's 64-54 win over West Virginia drew an average of 4.90 million viewers, setting a record for the NCAA Division I women's tournament game prior to the Final Four, per Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch.

The previous record was 3.23 million viewers, set just two days prior when Iowa beat Holy Cross 91-65.

The Iowa-WVU game ranks third in average viewership for any tournament game over the past 20 years. No. 1 is last year's national championship (9.92 million), which featured LSU beating Iowa 102-85. The second one is Iowa's 77-73 win over South Carolina in last year's Final Four (5.60 million).

Viewership for women's basketball has grown plenty outside Iowa, though, as Lewis noted.

"The year-over-year gains have been considerable," Lewis wrote in part.

"The USC-Kansas nightcap averaged 1.76 million, up 87% from UConn-Baylor in a similar window last year (943K), and even the 4 PM ET Tennessee-NC State game averaged 1.23 million — up 75% from Ohio State-North Carolina in the same window last year (704K). ESPN also averaged 827,000 for Notre Dame-Mississippi in a 2 PM ET window that it did not carry last year."

Lewis also wrote that both the UConn-Syracuse and LSU-Middle Tennessee second-round games cracked two million viewers on average apiece.

As for the Hawkeyes, they're back at it Saturday when they play No. 5 seed Colorado in the Sweet 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET in Albany, New York. ABC will carry the game.

Damian Lillard had thoughts on the officiating in Iowa's win over West Virginia in the NCAA women's tournament Monday night.

"I feel like West Virginia women's team getting did bad by these refs," Lillard posted on X.

I feel like West Virginia women’s team getting did bad by these refs.

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) March 26, 2024

Lillard, like many other college basketball fans, thought the game might have had some one-sided officiating as No. 1 Iowa defeated No. 8 West Virginia 64-54 in the Round of 32.

The box score certainly shows some disparity in the foul calls, as West Virginia was called for 27 personal fouls while Iowa committed just 11 on the night. The Hawkeyes shot 30 free throws, making 25 of them, while the Mountaineers attempted just five the entire game, making three.

Iowa star Caitlin Clark was the biggest beneficiary of the foul calls, getting 11 of her 32 points in the game from the line. She missed just one free throw on the night.

Whether the officiating was one-sided or West Virginia was just more aggressive is up for interpretation, but either way, Iowa is moving on to the Sweet 16 and West Virginia's season is over.

The Hawkeyes will now face No. 5 Colorado in the Sweet 16 in Albany, New York, after the Buffaloes handled No. 4 Kansas State in the Round of 32.

Colorado has a big task at hand going up against Clark and Iowa, and the Buffaloes will be hoping for a friendly whistle.

Iowa encountered little trouble against No. 16 Holy Cross to open the 2024 NCAA women's basketball tournament as the No. 1 seed rolled to a 91-65 victory at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday.

Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark struggled to find her shot early into the contest but finished with 27 points and went 8-of-19 from the field. She added eight rebounds and 10 assists for her 22nd double-double of the season.

Caitlin Clark went OFF vs. Holy Cross 🔥

27 PTS
10 AST
8 REB

Iowa advances to the 2nd round ‼️ pic.twitter.com/qdwalUrYDW

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 23, 2024

Senior guard Kate Martin also posted a double-double (15 points and 14 rebounds) while senior guard Gabbie Marshall and junior forward Addison O'Grady scored in double figures.

When it came to Clark, fans couldn't help but notice both her performance and her single-minded determination despite the outcome pretty much being sealed by halftime.

Caitlin Clark looks like she has the Holy Cross playbook! Back 2 back steals gives the Hawks a 25 point lead. @KCCINews

— Shannon Ehrhardt (@SEhrhardtKCCI) March 23, 2024

I swear Caitlin Clark is a better passer than shooter. Can something be blasphemy and fact at the same time?

— Mitch Fick (@MCFick) March 23, 2024

Caitlin Clark will drop a 30-point triple double with her team up 20+ and be looking like a tortured soul the ENTIRE time

— Jimmy Clarke (@JimmyClarke__) March 23, 2024

Caitlin Clark's frustration on this game despite a potential triple-double game from her is giving a mamba mentality vibe ngl #MarchMadness

— Ilham W. Sanjaya (@ilhamwanwin) March 23, 2024

Caitlin Clark is clearly fruuuuustrated… but still fighting through a tough game and flirting w a triple double w Iowa up solid, 5:22 left in the 3rd…

— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) March 23, 2024

Caitlin Clark's dad getting caught on camera mouthing to "just stop, Jesus" in assuming with her attitude. Also, the refs telling her to just go when she copped an attitude with them at the halftime. pic.twitter.com/1yqtrG0LWo

— Megan 🌺 (@MegnFeller) March 23, 2024

How good is Caitlin Clark?!? She still had 27 pts, 8 reb, and 10 ast on one of her worst days…… she’s HER! #GoHawks

— Poppa Hodge (@BHodge91) March 23, 2024

another “off night” for caitlin and she’s got 27, 10, and 8 lol

— whitney medworth (@its_whitney) March 23, 2024

In general, the win over the Crusaders provided little evidence one way or the other regarding Iowa's quest for a national title. The Big Ten champions shot 46.3 percent from the field, out-rebounded Holy Cross 50-37 and had a 40-20 edge in terms of paint scoring.

The Hawkeyes did exactly what you would've expected against a clearly overmatched opponent.

They will play either West Virginia or Princeton in the second round, which will be the last time Clark plays in Iowa City. As if that doesn't provide enough motivation, the reigning national player of the year might have a chip on her shoulder should the Mountaineers advance.

Whether it's WVU or Princeton awaiting the team, the second round should be a slightly better litmus test for Iowa's title credentials.

West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg set a straightforward goal for the Mountaineers ahead of the 2024 NCAA tournament.

"Let's win one and let's send Caitlin Clark packing," he said to a group of fans after the team was seeded eighth in the Albany 2 regional.

@CoachKellogg12 with a message for the crowd after @WVUWBB’s seeding announcement:

“I told them, win one and let’s send Caitlin Clark packing.”

👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/VbqL5WlZOs

— Luke Blain (@LukeDBlain) March 18, 2024

Should WVU beat No. 9 Princeton on Saturday, it will be on a collision course with Clark and No. 1 Iowa in the second round.

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Kellogg didn't call his shot and guarantee victory over the Hawkeyes, and you'd expect any coach in his position to challenge his players in a similar way. Unexpected upsets fuel March Madness every year.

West Virginia can't get too fixated on Clark, though, because overcoming Princeton will be difficult enough on its own.

The Tigers suffered just four defeats in the regular season. Two of those came by single digits to UCLA and Indiana, both of whom were ranked in the Top 15 of the final Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Not to mention, Princeton won its first-round game in each of the last two years at the NCAA tournament.

More than anything, Kellogg's comments reflect how no player has a bigger target on her back than Clark.

The Iowa star has become the most recognizable name in the men's and women's games en route to claiming the all-time Division I scoring crown. Some have asked whether she's the greatest player of the modern era or at the very least put her achievements up against past legends.

Naturally there are a lot of competitors who would love the opportunity to stymie Clark and Iowa in their quest for a national title.

Iowa captured a third straight Big Ten tournament title after outlasting Nebraska 94-89 in overtime.

Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark dropped a game-high 34 points, 30 of which came after the first half, and added 12 assists and three steals.

BACK TO BACK TO BACK !!!!!!! GET THE GIRLS SOME RINGS!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU HAWK FANS💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) March 10, 2024

Sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke nearly had a double-double of her own (25 points and nine rebounds), while senior guard Kate Martin had 13 points and stepped up big late.

Ultimately it was another showcase for Clark.

The reigning national player of the year shook off her slow start to play a pivotal role in her team's victory. She went 5-of-7 from the field for 12 points in the fourth quarter, tying the score at 77 points apiece with 29.3 seconds on the clock in regulation. Her three-pointer also put Iowa ahead 89-87 with 51.3 seconds remaining in overtime.

Clark garnered plenty of praise on social media for delivering when it mattered the most:

give Nebraska credit, they never flinched. But Caitlin Clark and these Iowa seniors went out and took that in every key moment in the 4th quarter and OT. What a performance.

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 10, 2024

I’m not sure if there’s anything in sports right now that’s simply as fun as watching Caitlin Clark play.

— Jordan Brenner (@JordanBrenner) March 10, 2024

That Iowa-Nebraska game was fantastic.

Caitlin Clark had 4 points at halftime but ended the game with 34, including a clutch 3 and a steal to close it out in overtime.

Iowa 3-peats as Big Ten champions and now will be a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. pic.twitter.com/r2HzJgADEU

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 10, 2024

I thank God every day that Caitlin Clark decided to play basketball for the University of Iowa

— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 10, 2024

out of all the crazy stuff caitlin clark has done in her career, finding a way to win this game against nebraska is one of the most impressive

— whitney medworth (@its_whitney) March 10, 2024

This is Caitlin Clark's 10th 30 pt 10 asst game this season. The rest of the country has four.

Hawkeyes up four with 37.2 to play in OT.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 10, 2024

Iowa trailed Nebraska 75-67 with less than 2:30 left in the 4th quarter.

Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin scored 21 of Iowa’s 27 points the remainder of regulation and OT.

Clark and Martin either scored or assisted on all of Iowa’s final 8 FGs.

That’s leadership. pic.twitter.com/Muv1GA1QDj

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) March 10, 2024

Sunday may have served as a warning sign for Iowa, though.

After McKenna Warnock and Monika Czinano graduated from last year's national runner-up squad, the Hawkeyes were going to live and die even more based on how Clark performed. But there's almost no precedent in recent history for a team winning a title when leaning this heavily on one star.

Clark's 40.5 percent usage rate before Sunday was the third-highest in the country, per Her Hoop Stats.

Diana Taurasi didn't have a usage that high when she was far and away the best player on UConn during its 2003 and 2004 championship teams. Even Candace Parker didn't control the proceedings this much when she put Tennessee on her back in 2007 and 2008.

Looking ahead to the NCAA tournament, Iowa might be in serious trouble if Clark has another half like she did Sunday against Nebraska.

Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark stands alone as the NCAA Division I leader (women's or men's) in made three-pointers after hitting her 163rd triple of the year on Friday during a 95-62 win over Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

CAITLIN 👏 CLARK 👏 @CaitlinClark22 x @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/BX08zn7Ne4

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 9, 2024

Clark hit the big three with 8:41 left in the fourth quarter off an assist from Kylie Feuerbach to give Iowa a 70-48 edge.

She had missed her first 11 three-pointers until that point, although her rare cold streak had zero impact on the game's outcome, and she was still able to contribute elsewhere.

Iowa led 31-13 after one quarter and was never seriously threatened in this game. Clark also ended with a game-high 24 points alongside 10 rebounds and seven assists. She later hit a second three to end the game with 164 triples this season.

Clark entered Friday tied with current Golden State Warriors star (and former Davidson Wildcat) Stephen Curry and former Liberty star Darius McGhee (now of the G-League's Indiana Mad Ants). Curry set the record of 162 single-season three-pointers during the 2007-08 campaign, while McGhee hit that mark last year.

Now Clark, the NCAA Division I basketball's all-time leading scorer, added another honor to her tremendous resume.

Clark, who plans to enter the 2024 WNBA draft after Iowa's season ends, began the postseason with 32.3 points on 48.2 percent shooting, 8.8 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game. She made 39.3 percent of her three-pointers.

It's been a remarkable season for Clark, who also became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer earlier this year, surpassing Pistol Pete Maravich. She's also well on her way to earning consensus All-American and Player of the Year honors for the second straight year as well.

But she and the Hawkeyes also have their sights set on a national title after coming so close last year. Iowa made the national championship before falling to LSU, but the Hawkeyes are posed for another run with a likely top-two NCAA tournament seed looming.

After accomplishing so much at the collegiate level, Iowa star Caitlin Clark is excited to see what she can do as a professional.

During an appearance on Good Morning America, Clark explained her decision to declare for the 2024 WNBA draft, saying she felt it was the right time to try her hand at something new.

"I think there's pros and cons to both sides, and that's what made the decision so difficult," Clark said (h/t Joe Rivera of USA Today). "It was almost a win-win, but at the same time, a lose-lose, because I was giving up something. I'm just kind of ready for the next chapter and a new challenge in my life. But, I think the reason that I decided to announce it when I did is to have that closure, especially going into Senior Night."

EXCLUSIVE: @RobinRoberts sat down for an exclusive interview with @CaitlinClark22 to talk about her record-breaking season and ending her college career to head to the @WNBA.https://t.co/a1KLVhg46E pic.twitter.com/uEF3gSqzzV

— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 7, 2024

Clark became the NCAA's all-time leading scorer in Division I, men's or women's, when she passed Pete Maravich for the record during Sunday's win over Ohio State. She was unanimously named Big Ten Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, and she owns the conference's assists record.

The only thing that has eluded Clark is a national championship. After leading the Hawkeyes to the national title game last season and losing to LSU, Clark is certainly hungry to complete her mission of bringing a championship to Iowa this year.

After March Madness comes to an end, Clark will turn her attention to the WNBA draft, where she is virtually guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever.

An average of 3.38 million viewers tuned in to watch Iowa guard Caitlin Clark break the NCAA Division I basketball all-time scoring record en route to the Hawkeyes beating Ohio State 93-83 on Sunday.

In turn, that contest now stands as the most-watched regular-season women's college hoops game since January 10, 1999, when No. 2 Tennessee beat No. 1 UConn 92-81, per Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch.

Fox Sports, which televised the game, provided more details, including a peak of 4.42 million viewers early in the 3:00 hour.

Sunday’s Ohio State-Iowa game ft. Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performance scored 3.39 million viewers on FOX
🏀Most-watched reg season WCBB game on any net since 1999
🏀Most-watched WCBB game in FOX Sports history
🏀Viewership peaked at 4.42 million viewers from 3-3:14 PM ET pic.twitter.com/GvTtjlmCSd

— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) March 5, 2024

The game also stands as the second-most watch regular-season college hoops game (men or women) of the year.

Per Lewis, Arizona men's hoops' 74-68 Thanksgiving Day win over Michigan State, which followed the Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions matchup on FOX, is No. 1 (5.18 million average viewers).

Clark entered the OSU game needing 18 points to break the then-NCAA all-time scoring record (male or female) of "Pistol" Pete Maravich (3,667 points, amassed at LSU from 1967-1970). She scored 35 points and now has 3,685 for her career.

The WNBA soon awaits Clark, but for now, she and the Hawkeyes have their sights set on the Big Ten Tournament. They'll begin Friday in the quarterfinals against a to-be-determined opponent.

Amid her historic season, Iowa star Caitlin Clark added another accolade to her lengthy list of accomplishments.

Clark has been unanimously voted as Big Ten Player of the Year, marking the third consecutive season in which she has won the award.

Congratulations to @iowawbb’s Caitlin Clark - the unanimous #B1GWBBall Player of the Year! pic.twitter.com/qsFe0zghUN

— Big Ten Women's Basketball (@B1Gwbball) March 5, 2024

𝟯𝘅 𝗕𝟭𝗚 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 😤#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/aAPvYnZx7Q

— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2024

Clark likely can expect more national Player of the Year awards to come her way as well, as her senior season has been just as scintillating as her first three collegiate years.

In her last regular-season home game on Sunday, Clark passed Pete Maravich for the most points scored by a Division I player in men's or women's college basketball history. She finished with 35 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in No. 6 Iowa's 93-83 victory over No. 2 Ohio State, giving her 3,685 career points.

"It's really crazy to think about," Clark said after breaking the record. "Honestly, if you would have told me that before my college career started, I would've laughed in your face and been like, 'No, you're insane.' I've always been able to score the ball, but I don't think people really understand how many amazing players have come before me and been able to score the ball and do it at such a high rate and for teams that are really, really good."

Clark also owns the Big Ten assists record and ranks sixth all-time. She has already declared for the 2024 WNBA draft, making her the presumptive No. 1 pick for the Indiana Fever.

Clark is still chasing an elusive national championship, but her next step will be to lead Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament that begins on Wednesday. The Hawkeyes will face the winner of Purdue vs. Wisconsin in the quarterfinals on Friday.