Congrats to Caitlin Clark and Co. for collecting Indiana's first win of the season last night before a record crowd of over 19,000 in Los Angeles. There were a few remarkable elements involved in that game besides getting that first W:
* The officiating was fantastic. Not perfect, but it was one of the best officiated games I've ever seen on any level in a long time. Or did it just seem that way compared to the trash the WNBA has been putting out before last night . . . In any event, it was shocking and overdue. Let's hope for this kind of officiating becoming the norm, as it should.
* The lack of rugby-style play. Give LA credit for playing basketball instead of rugby. I'm pretty sure that helped make the game so well officiated. This, too, should be the norm.
* Caitlin should have had a triple double if her teammates could make a layup. Even so, she finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, and that last number should have been at least 12. In fact, last night CC led the Fever in rebounds, assists, and steals (4), and she was tied for blocks with 2. For those who didn't realize it, CC is a basketball player, not just a shooter.
* Despite having a seriously off night from three, CC played some tenacious defense, forced some TOs, and in addition to putting up the numbers above, she hit two of the biggest shots of the night . . . both long threes late in the game . . . to clinch the win for Indiana.
* There were signs, at times, that Indiana is beginning to figure out how CC plays and how they fit into that style. Of course, how she plays hasn't exactly been a secret, so maybe her teammates--and coaches--should have been far more prepared for her arrival.
* Finally, the TV announcers were the best, by far, we've heard in our brief WNBA experience.
And so maybe everyone can relax a little and Indiana can keep on winning, although tonight's quick turnaround @ Las Vegas should be a challenge. Tonight's game also will be a reunion for CC with Kate Martin and Megan Gustafson. As a result, I understand that Lisa Bluder and the entire Iowa women's coaching staff will be in Vegas to witness the game. Cool. I hope all three Iowa grads play well and that we see another clean, close, well-officiated, entertaining game.
* The officiating was fantastic. Not perfect, but it was one of the best officiated games I've ever seen on any level in a long time. Or did it just seem that way compared to the trash the WNBA has been putting out before last night . . . In any event, it was shocking and overdue. Let's hope for this kind of officiating becoming the norm, as it should.
* The lack of rugby-style play. Give LA credit for playing basketball instead of rugby. I'm pretty sure that helped make the game so well officiated. This, too, should be the norm.
* Caitlin should have had a triple double if her teammates could make a layup. Even so, she finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, and that last number should have been at least 12. In fact, last night CC led the Fever in rebounds, assists, and steals (4), and she was tied for blocks with 2. For those who didn't realize it, CC is a basketball player, not just a shooter.
* Despite having a seriously off night from three, CC played some tenacious defense, forced some TOs, and in addition to putting up the numbers above, she hit two of the biggest shots of the night . . . both long threes late in the game . . . to clinch the win for Indiana.
* There were signs, at times, that Indiana is beginning to figure out how CC plays and how they fit into that style. Of course, how she plays hasn't exactly been a secret, so maybe her teammates--and coaches--should have been far more prepared for her arrival.
* Finally, the TV announcers were the best, by far, we've heard in our brief WNBA experience.
And so maybe everyone can relax a little and Indiana can keep on winning, although tonight's quick turnaround @ Las Vegas should be a challenge. Tonight's game also will be a reunion for CC with Kate Martin and Megan Gustafson. As a result, I understand that Lisa Bluder and the entire Iowa women's coaching staff will be in Vegas to witness the game. Cool. I hope all three Iowa grads play well and that we see another clean, close, well-officiated, entertaining game.
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