Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement ceremony went perfectly as the Iowa women’s basketball team won against No. 4-ranked USC in front of a packed stadium. The event was not only a milestone for Caitlin Clark, but also a memorable day for Iowa fans.
The ceremony was attended by Caitlin’s entire family, the Indiana Fever coaching and leadership team, and former teammates, including Kate Martin.
What made the day even more special, however, was Iowa’s stunning 76-69 win over USC. Initially, many were worried that USC, being the stronger team and having only lost one game on the season, would ruin the special moment. But Iowa showed great spirit and pulled off a surprising victory.
One of the most important factors in Iowa’s victory over USC was Lucy Olsen. She had a great performance with 28 points, 4 assists, 3 steals and a 10/18 shooting percentage.
Although not a true point guard, Lucy has good ball control and is versatile in the offensive game, especially with mid-range shots and smart movement in the paint.
There is much speculation that the Indiana Fever may select Lucy Olsen in the upcoming draft. The team does not need more stars, but players who fit the system and can take on specific roles.
With her ability to control the tempo of the game and a strong competitive spirit, Lucy could be a good fit for this team.
Back to the game, Iowa played an excellent team game, while USC struggled to coordinate. Despite having many outstanding individuals, USC was confused by Iowa’s solid play. It was also the first time Iowa has beaten an AP top-five team while unranked since 2001.
USC showed respect after the game by staying on the field to watch Caitlin Clark receive her honor. Caitlin also praised USC star Juju Watkins, noting that Iowa’s strategy was to stop Juju from breaking out.
The comparisons between Juju Watkins and Caitlin Clark have been controversial lately, but both have shown mutual respect.
In other news, the latest AP rankings were also released, with UCLA holding the top spot, followed by South Carolina, Notre Dame, Texas and UConn. The season is still long and things can change.
