Caitlin Clark on assists in the first half vs. Colorado: 'I think that's the key to the game'
Caitlin Clark can win games by herself scoring, but the Iowa superstar knows the key to winning is assists as well.
That’s how she put it after the first half of the Sweet 16 game against Colorado. The journey to a national title is a long one but to get there, Clark might have to change things up a bit.
She explained before going to the halftime locker room with 15 points, three rebounds and eight assists.
“I think that’s the key to the game,” Clark said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “When we have multiple people in double figures we’re really good. I thought our ball screen offense was really good, being able to work that. They’re flooding so being able to hit it on the roll but, I thought we got out in transition. I think our defense needs to be a little better in transition.”
Clark also had two fouls in the first half and despite the trouble, head coach Lisa Bluder left her star guard in the game.
“I think it’s trust,” Clark said. “I think it’s just you know, being her point guard for four years she can trust me with that and obviously they made some good steps to get me out on defense and not give up fouls … So I think it’s gonna be key down the stretch. You’ve got to keep your arms out and not foul.”
Even Colorado coach JR Payne mentioned that Clark’s court vision was tough to stop as the game progressed into the second quarter.
“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.”
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.