Tuesdays with Torbee
I have thus far refrained from writing about Caitlin Clark not because I dislike women’s college basketball – on the contrary, I am among the thousands (millions?) that view any Iowa game featuring the super-senior as appointment television.
Rather, it is a writer’s fear of repetition and cliché. Every superlative adjective has already been heaped upon the star: amazing, outstanding, tremendous, fantastic, unbelievable,phenomenal generational, GOAT. My lexicon is devoid of any fresh or new praise. Frankly, writing about how great Clark is at this point feels derivative.
Something new and interesting is happening now, however: the inevitable backlash and pushback against a superstar that until now has received near-universal praise. Similar to the emotionally fragile and hilarious dislike of Taylor Swift by the neckbeard portion of the NFL fanbase, criticism of Clark is heating up.
Whether it’s rhinestone cowgirl Kim Mulkey’s passive aggressive dig about shot volume, fragile Dawn Staley’s whining about officiating after a clear Clark game winner or the Runza-addled denizens of Lincoln complaining about a post-game flop in a crowd rush event their team wasn’t involved in, the nattering nabobs of negativity have their sights set on the Hawkeye hoops prodigy.
Iowa fans have reacted to these provocations with fierce defense and unfeigned outrage. How dare they!? Don’t they realize Clark is expanding the exposure of the women’s game unlike any other? Do they not see the thousands of little boys and girls lining up for autographs, which she unfailingly and cheerfully accommodates? Do they not appreciate their typically moribund arenas selling out when the Caitlin show comes to town?
Iowa fans are right, of course. Clark is great box office and fantastic for the sport. She should be celebrated.
That said, I kind of want to see her embrace the hate and take a full heel-turn.
She already has the patented MJ shrug. She is not shy about letting officials know when they screw up. I say ramp up the bad guy antics! Not in a Bill Laimbeer oafish and obnoxious way, but more of an Allen Iverson zero-effs given, “it ain’t braggin’ if you back it up” way.
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The women’s game feels like it’s entering a bit of a Golden Age and I think that has lots to do with big personalities and the fact those big personalities stick around for four or more years. Whereas modern men’s college basketball is more mercenary, familiar (and vexing) faces stick around longer in the women’s game, making for compelling match-ups.
Who doesn’t want to see Caitlin versus Angel Reese Part II? Will Iowa and Clark get a shot at Paige Bueckers and UCONN, pitting the alleged two best players in the sport head-to-head? Could freshman phenom Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame upstage the Iowa star if they face off? All of these are juicy storylines more interesting than whether Kentucky’s latest crop of one-and-doners or Kansas’ assemblage of well-paid recruits will prevail in the men’s tournament.
Clark has a big personality and has proven well-equipped at handling the giant target fixed on her back every time she steps on the court. Sure, universal praise feels good – but I have to think the hyper-competitive part of her also relishes squashing dreams and shutting the haters up in their seats.
For decades, Iowa’s wrestling team was feared and loathed for its aggressive edge and relentlessness. They leaned into the black hat role and played it to perfection (and multiple national titles.) I would love to see Clark bring that Gable-inspired attitude back to Carver.
To be loved is nice. To be feared is the highest praise possible.
Follow me on Twitter/X @torybrecht and the 12 Saturdays podcasts @12Saturdays.
