JR Payne on challenge of Caitlin Clark: 'She has one of the best court visions in America'
Colorado women’s basketball coach JR Payne knew Caitlin Clark would provide more challenges than just shooting the basketball.
Clark’s vision and passing was a problem early as Iowa ran past the Buffaloes in the first quarter of the Sweet 16 game Saturday. If Colorado was to stop Clark, the Buffaloes will have to prevent her from being multidimensional.
Easier said than done.
“Yeah, I mean, that was the hardest thing about her is that she has one of the best court visions in America,” Payne said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe on the broadcast. “So we just need to make sure that we can see man and ball because we’re playing too high. We’re getting back cut. Make sure we’re playing bigger in the gaps, so that maybe we get a touch on the ball.”
Iowa led 22-14 early in the first quarter at the time of Payne’s comments. Aaronette Vonleh, Colorado’s leading scorer, had just five points but led her team.
“She actually loves to transition,” Payne said of Vonleh. “Yeah, so if we can get her going in transition along with the rest of us, it’s good for us.”
JR Payne addresses matchup with Iowa, Caitlin Clark
Going into the contest, Payne said she wasn’t surprised with anything Iowa did on the floor. Even if it was simple and at a high level.
“No, not really,” Payne said. “Ironically, we played Iowa my first year at Colorado in the Sweet 16 of the NIT, at their place, and they’ve always been a team that I’ve greatly admired. They’re a team that when I’m looking for something, oh, we need a new — I don’t know, zone attack or zone defense, whatever, they’re someone that I would pull their film because I’ve always greatly admired what they run, how they run it.
“Sort of the nature of their ball club is really disciplined, really organized, very efficient. So nothing new, but it’s always a great challenge to play a team like that.”
The winner of Colorado and Iowa will play LSU in the Elite Eight.