Iowa working to challenge perceptions

 

The University of Iowa's women's team has been very good for several years now. They were lead by one of the best front courts in the game, and by serviceable guards. This year and last, however, they have had one of the most dynamic players in the country, guard and local product Caitlin Clark. While Iowa is still good, they aren't the team of four or 5 years ago.

It often seems that having one really good player can steer the fortunes of a college basketball team. I call it the Carmelo Anthony principle. Syracuse consistently failed to break through, but finally shook the label of an underperforming team that failed in the clutch when they had the best college player in the country. They had been good before, but they were the cream of the crop when they had Anthony.  

And that's generally been my impression of college basketball. It's nice to have a well rounded roster, but to be truly successful, it's absolutely vital to have the single best player on the court. Carmelo Anthony, Michael Jordan, Britney Griner, whomever it may be. When you reach a certain level, the best players are transcendent.

Clark is that player. She is one of the top players in the country, and has the accolades to prove it. She was an All-America player in her freshman year, and was co-Freshman of the Year with Connecticut's Paige Bueckers last season. This season, she is really coming into her own, but the Hawkeyes are less impressive. 

They have been blowing out lesser opponents, as good teams should, but they've yet to claim a victory to hang their hats on. They were soundly beaten by Duke in the ACC/Big Ten challenge, and were handled by their in state rival Iowa State, in the only game they've had with a ranked opponent. Most troublingly, they recently lost at home to IUPUI. Yikes.

That game and the box score gives a pretty good insight into the team though. Clark was ice cold in the game. She was 6-16 shooting, and 1-7 from behind the arc. Monika Czninano was effective inside, but beyond those two, there was nobody else capable of stepping up. Worse still, their Horizon League opponent was able to put up 74 points on their Big Ten foes. 

Rebounding was nearly equal, so the poor shooting was not overcome. IUPUI didn't shoot well either, but they were able to get some more shots from behind the arc to go down. Iowa didn't have anywhere to go but Clark, and when she had an off night, her teammates weren't able to compensate, in any facet of the game.

For anyone, like me, who sees a star player, and is convinced their team is destined for greatness should look at these Hawkeyes and be reminded that there are 5 players on the court, and everyone needs to pull their own weight.