Caitlin Clark’s Emotional Connection to Iowa and March Madness Expectations
Caitlin Clark has always valued her roots, a sentiment she made clear when her jersey was retired by the Iowa Hawkeyes. Reflecting on her time with the team, she said, “It’s been fun looking back on this whole past year and everything that’s been able to happen, just the journey we went on. It’s kind of a weird feeling coming back here and not being able to play, but it’s just a really exciting time still for this program. I’m very fortunate to be a part of it.”
espn puts out a 10 min video ranking all time college players. they say caitlin can’t be ranked in the top 5. yet the title is “Is Caitlin Clark The Greatest Of All Time In College Basketball?” to farm engagement and hate lmfaooo pic.twitter.com/X26K6wm6pX
— correlation (@nosyone4) March 16, 2025
With March Madness approaching, Clark’s focus remains on her former team, as the Hawkeyes aim to secure the NCAA title after finishing as runners-up the past two seasons. Fortunately, Iowa has started on a strong note, bringing good news that is sure to excite Clark.
Iowa Hawkeyes Secure a Strong Position in March Madness
Selection Sunday revealed that the University of Iowa women’s basketball team has earned the No. 6 seed in the Spokane Regional 4. This marks the team’s seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, further solidifying its consistency at the national level. Additionally, Iowa has now been a No. 6 seed or better in nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances. While Clark has yet to publicly comment on this achievement, it’s clear that she would be proud of her former team’s continued success.
Mixed Emotions for Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery
While Clark received uplifting news, the same cannot be said for her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery. After playing six seasons at Iowa, McCaffery took on a role with the Indiana Pacers as a basketball development coordinator before being hired as an assistant coach for Butler in September 2024.
Despite his efforts, Butler struggled throughout the season, finishing with a 14-19 overall record and landing as the eighth seed in the Big East standings. This performance was not enough to secure a spot in March Madness, leaving McCaffery and his team out of the tournament.
Adding to his frustration, the Iowa men’s basketball team also failed to qualify, and the disappointment was compounded by the recent firing of his father, Fran McCaffery, who had coached the team for 15 years. Following Iowa’s worst Big Ten finish in seven years, the program decided to part ways with him, a move Connor did not take lightly. Expressing his frustration, he responded on social media with three clown emojis.
For now, McCaffery will have to wait another year for a better March Madness outcome, while Clark can take comfort in Iowa’s selection and support her former teammates as they chase a national title.
Caitlin Clark’s ESPN Snub Sparks Debate
Despite her impact on women’s college basketball, Caitlin Clark recently faced a controversial omission from ESPN’s list of the top five greatest NCAA women’s basketball players of all time.
Before Selection Sunday, ESPN aired a segment titled, “Is Caitlin Clark the Greatest of All Time in College Basketball?” Analysts debated her place among the sport’s legends, but commentator Ari Chambers pointed to Clark’s lack of a national championship as the major factor keeping her off the top-five list.
The final list featured Breanna Stewart, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Cheryl Miller—each of whom won multiple championships. This omission ignited discussions about whether individual accolades, such as Clark’s NCAA all-time scoring record, should weigh more heavily than team success in defining greatness.
Clark’s achievements include being a three-time NCAA leader in scoring and assists, a two-time Naismith Player of the Year, and the all-time leading scorer in college basketball. However, for some analysts, these records are not enough without a championship title.
The Road Ahead
For now, Clark will put the rankings aside and focus on supporting the Iowa Hawkeyes in their March Madness run. While she has moved on to the WNBA, her legacy at Iowa continues to inspire the program. As she watches from afar, she will undoubtedly be hoping that the team can achieve what she couldn’t—winning a national championship.