The Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team, led by star player Caitlin Clark, is aiming for their third consecutive Big Ten tournament title as they face off against Nebraska in the conference championship game on Sunday. After defeating Michigan in the semifinals, the second-seeded Hawkeyes have secured their spot in the title game. On the other hand, the Cornhuskers have won three games in three days to reach the championship match.
If the Hawkeyes emerge victorious, it will mark their third consecutive conference tournament title. Additionally, Caitlin Clark has the opportunity to become the first player since Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender between 2009-2011 to win the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award for three consecutive seasons. Clark has been a standout performer throughout the tournament, showcasing her skills and versatility on the court.
In Iowa’s quarterfinal win against Penn State, Clark displayed an impressive performance, scoring 24 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists. She continued her dominance in the semifinal victory against Michigan, dropping 28 points and tying a season-high in assists with 15. Clark’s exceptional performance has solidified her status as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
The Big Ten tournament championship game between Iowa and Nebraska is scheduled to tip-off at noon ET on Sunday. Fans can catch the action on CBS or stream it on platforms like Fubo and Paramount+. The tournament is being held at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
This will be the third meeting between the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers this season. In their first matchup in Iowa City, Clark put on a show, scoring 38 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out six assists in a dominant 92-73 victory for Iowa. Clark knocked down eight 3-pointers in that game, showcasing her shooting prowess. However, in their second encounter in Lincoln, Nebraska managed to limit the Hawkeyes’ scoring in the fourth quarter and pulled off an 82-79 upset. Clark had an impressive stat line of 31 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds in the defeat, but was unable to contribute in the final quarter. It was the game before she broke the NCAA women’s scoring record.
The journey to the championship game has been filled with intense matchups and upsets. The women’s Big Ten tournament bracket saw Purdue defeating Northwestern in the first round, while Minnesota emerged victorious over Rutgers. In the second round, Maryland secured a win against Illinois, and Nebraska overcame Purdue. Penn State also had a strong showing, defeating Wisconsin, and Michigan triumphed over Minnesota. In the quarterfinals, Maryland defeated Ohio State, Nebraska bested Michigan State, Iowa dominated Penn State, and Michigan secured a win against Indiana. In the semifinals, Nebraska continued their impressive run with a victory over Maryland, while Iowa showcased their dominance with a win against Michigan.
As the stage is set for the championship game, both Iowa and Nebraska will be determined to claim the title. The Hawkeyes will rely on Caitlin Clark’s exceptional skills and leadership to secure their third consecutive Big Ten tournament title, while Nebraska will look to build on their recent success and pull off another upset. Basketball fans are in for an exciting showdown as these two teams battle it out for conference supremacy.