The Iowa Hawkeyes are no longer taking part in March Madness after a frustrating loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, 96-62. The Sooners controlled the entire game but really pulled away in the second half, putting the game completely out of reach.
Oklahoma outscored the Hawkeyes by 23 in the second half with a well-balanced effort, finishing with six players scoring in double figures. For Iowa, Lucy Olsen tried her hardest to will her team back into the game, finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
It was a tough pill to swallow for the Hawkeyes, who were used to going further in the tournament during the Caitlin Clark era. But today’s a new day.
Fans React to Iowa Hawkeyes’ Loss to Oklahoma
In her time with the Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark helped lead Iowa to back-to-back national championship game appearances, even though they came up short both times. Following the loss to the Sooners, the Hawkeyes’ fan base shared memories of the good days when Clark helped them shine.
From the Clark Report on X, “Caitlin Clark dragging this team to back to back National Championship games is one of the single most impressive accomplishments in modern sports.
They will never see the final 4 ever again. I'm sorry , it's just a fact.
— puro2ten! (@JeremyYbar37574) March 25, 2025
Another fan shared a similar belief, stating, “I have been screaming it from the highest mountain top for a while now. Not one of the UCONN greats could have taken those teams to the final eight let alone the championship game. CC is one of a kind.”
This is why do you put all your eggs in one basket. Imagine if they had invested in other while Caitlin was as there!
— Sunflower 🌻 (@Sunshine4Love) March 24, 2025
Clark’s impact on the Hawkeyes gave the fan base something to believe in. She holds several NCAA records that many consider her one of the greatest women’s players in college basketball history.
Will the Hawkeyes be able to come back and match the success they had with Clark next season? It’ll be a tough road as the NCAA talent pool continues to grow fast. The Hawkeyes winning the national championship would be a Cinderella story if it happens.
Can Caitlin Clark Win WNBA MVP This Season?
All eyes will be on Clark this season as the Indiana Fever look to take the next step. She is the biggest draw in the WNBA again this year, with a large number of nationally televised games coming for the Fever.
While the Fever will have more eyes on them, the competition will be tougher in the WNBA this season. The Las Vegas Aces have retooled, the Los Angeles Sparks are working to return to form, and the defending champion New York Liberty are back to defend their title.
Will Clark’s individual play be enough to earn the WNBA MVP? Indiana is expected to have a better season this year, and that could put her in the driver’s seat for the award. The clock is ticking as the WNBA season approaches, but Clark looks ready for the challenge ahead.