Getty Image / Sarah Stier
The much-anticipated national title rematch between LSU and Iowa has concluded, as the Hawkeyes got 41 points from superstar Caitlin Clark to take down LSU, 94-87.
While much of the lead-in to the game was focused on the rivalry between LSU’s Angel Reese and Clark, much of the talk after the game is centered around Tigers coach Kim Mulkey. Unfortunately for her, it’s for what some people are saying was a poor defensive game plan and slow adjustments.
Everyone knows that Caitlin Clark is an incredibly explosive scorer who can make tough shots against perfect defense. But, far too often, the defense was less-than-perfect. College basketball’s all-time leading scorer had some easy straight-line drives to the hoop early on, and LSU All-American Hailey Van Lith could not contain her off the bounce when Clark would try to get to her step-back game.
Kim Mulkey is one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all-time, and the four-time national champion knows more about basketball than 99.9% of us. But, it seemed strange that LSU continued to go under ball screens for Caitlin Clark, and didn’t get more length on her after it was clearly that HVL wasn’t big enough. It wasn’t until late in the game where LSU decided to start switching ball screens against Clark. That’s something many thought they should’ve done earlier on, among other things.
I just don’t know what this game plan from Mulkey was supposed to be. Just leave HVL and Poa out to dry on Clark. FlauJae is by far your best defender and hasn’t guarded her at all
— Will Ruck (@Will_Rucker3_AD) April 2, 2024
Mulkey must had that money line on Iowa because what was that game plan for HVL
— DJ A-T-M (@AdamMaddox_) April 2, 2024
Kim Mulkey’s game plan lost this game. She should've had Flau’jae Johnson guarding Caitlin Clark from the beginning.
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) April 2, 2024
There are hundreds of tweets like that. You get the idea.
Again, it’s not as if Caitlin didn’t earn her 41 points. She’s pretty clearly the greatest scoring talent women’s basketball has ever seen. But, I think it’s fair to question whether Kim Mulkey set them up to stop Clark. When LSU sophomore wing Flau’Jae Johnson was guarding Clark near the end of the game, she had some good possessions against her. That could’ve been a solution.
Ultimately, someone had to lose this game. Now, America will get to see Caitlin Clark at least one more time in an Iowa uniform in next Sunday’s Final Four.