Caitlin Clark compares this season to last: 'This year was probably more special'

Caitlin Clark was never able to secure a national championship, but she still enjoyed the ride. Last season, the Hawkeyes fell short to LSU. This year, the team suffered a heart-breaking loss to South Carolina. After the game, the Iowa superstar compared this past season with the year prior.

“It’s certainly been a special year,” Clark said. “After last year, I was like how do we top doing what we did last year. Somehow, some way, every single person in our locker room believed and, to be honest, this year was probably more special than last year.

“The teams we had to go through to get to this point. We won the Big Ten Tournament. We lost two players that were-three years starters for our program. To be back in this position and come out here and battle… I mean, South Carolina’s just so good. There’s only so much you can do.”

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Iowa faced a gauntlet to reach the title game this season. In the tournament, Iowa downed a red-hot Colorado team in blowout fashion. The Hawkeyes followed up the stunning performance with a grudge match against LSU in the Elite Eight.

Iowa rattled off 94 points against the Tigers to secure revenge and, more importantly, an appointment in the Final Four. It wasn’t an easy one. The Hawkeyes went head-to-head against UConn, led by legendary head coach Geno Auriemma.

Iowa ultimately escaped after UConn was called for an illegal screen with less than five seconds left in the game. Finally, Iowa met South Carolina in the title game, ultimately losing 87-75. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Clark was excellent in the postseason.

Caitlin Clark reaches individual highs in 2023-24 season

After exploding for a historic 18 points in the first quarter of the national championship, Clark moved past both Maya Moore and Chamique Holdsclaw on the all-time NCAA women’s tournament scoring record. The pair previously held the all-time mark with 479 career tournament points.

Of course, the record is only a small slice of the history Clark set this season. The Iowa native also broke the NCAA single-season record for 3-pointers, scored the most points in a single season in Division I women’s history and became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.

It’s difficult to blame Clark for her enthusiasm for her final campaign with the Hawkeyes. She certainly left fans with no shortage to smile about. From non-stop highlights to record ratings, Clark changed the game in the 2023-24 season.