Not sure South Carolina can handle Clark

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

I thought all season South Carolina would be impossible to beat.

Now I’m not so sure.

Clark may be just too much for them to overcome.

There’s no shame if/when they lose to CC & the Hawkeyes. They had one hell of a season & should be proud that they got to compete against/lose to the greatest woman’s player ever.

That would be my speech after Friday to the team if I was Dawn Staley.

 

[MitchLL]

They hit 3s like tonite and they can win it all.

And I wouldn't write off Maryland just yet.

 

[Hawksbyamillion]

I know I shouldn’t say it but I kind of hope we face off with SC. If they lose tomorrow and we win it all I can see the pundits saying it’s because we got lucky that they got knocked out before we played them. I don’t want there to be any doubt if Iowa wins it all about who the best team is.

 

[sbhawk64]

I thought all season South Carolina would be impossible to beat.

Now I’m not so sure.

Clark may be just too much for them to overcome.

There’s no shame if/when they lose to CC & the Hawkeyes. They had one hell of a season & should be proud that they got to compete against/lose to the greatest woman’s player ever.

That would be my speech after Friday to the team if I was Dawn Staley.

Iowa will need to shoot very well AND get that Caitlin magic to beat s. Carolina. There whole team is very athletic, rebound and run like no team they have faced. Maryland is a lot like iowa so we will get insight.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Maryland will give some big clues.

 

[QChawks]

At this point, it would be only fitting for Iowa to face South Carolina and shock the college basketball world.

We can believe it, right?

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I think we would struggle with Boston and their athleticism. Clark is still the best player in the game right now but I think we would need to pack the lane and hope SC doesn't shoot particularity well.

That said, I think Maryland is a worse matchup for SC

 

[BioHawk]

I think Iowa vs. South Carolina is an even matchup with the starters, however I don't think there is any doubt which team has a better bench. Iowa tends to let other teams back in the game mid second quarter and in the 3rd when they rest their starters. If Iowa can manage to not get behind by too much during those moments they have a shot.

The other thing Iowa has been doing lately is running teams out of the gym in the second half. One of the things South Carolina fans like to say is how Boston only plays 25 minutes a game. If this is true for everyone then maybe there is a weakness there if they are forced to play full speed for a full game. I doubt it, but it's something to hope for.

 

[EagleHawk]

This to me is the biggest factor in the game, and I fear we could lose by 20 if we play SC,
Their talent level is insane. It’s like UConn 5-10 years ago.

The pair become the 21st and 22ndGamecock signees to be named McDonald’s All-Americans, including nine on this season’s roster – six of which are slated to return in 2023-24 to play alongside Fulwiley and Johnson.

Pair of Gamecock Signees Named McDonald’s All-Americans

gamecocksonline.com

 

[BonzoFury]

I love what Bluder's team is doing, amazing season and run. We won't see another player like Clark...men's or women's for quite awhile.

But you have to think it ends with South Carolina. Have you looked at the size of their lineup? ...and they go deep on the bench. You can bet they're going to smother CC and try to take her out of the game.

It will indeed be a miracle upset for the ages if the Hawks can pull it off. But it's March Madness...anything can happen!

 

[burmafrd1943]

so called UNBEATABLE teams have lost before
Soviets in Olympic Hockey in 1980
NE Patriots in the SB in 2007
Its happened many times in the mens NCAA tournament


I think Iowa matches up well with SC. How many times has SC really had to scratch and claw for a whole game?

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

I could totally see Iowa beating South Carolina & then losing to LSU in the title game.

In fact, that may be my prediction.

Let me think on that this week.

 

[tippet1]

I could totally see Iowa beating South Carolina & then losing to LSU in the title game.

In fact, that my be my prediction.

Let me think on that this week.

I like Va Tech over LSU.

 

[IamHawkeye]

so called UNBEATABLE teams have lost before
Soviets in Olympic Hockey in 1980
NE Patriots in the SB in 2007
Its happened many times in the mens NCAA tournament


I think Iowa matches up well with SC. How many times has SC really had to scratch and claw for a whole game?

Beat a SE conf team in OT. Think it was Ole Miss.

 

[tippet1]

Beat a SE conf team in OT. Think it was Ole Miss.

Stanford had them beat and gave the game away as well.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

They hit 3s like tonite and they can win it all.

And I wouldn't write off Maryland just yet.

I took Maryland plus the 15. Will be interesting to see how many the Hawks will get.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

I love what Bluder's team is doing, amazing season and run. We won't see another player like Clark...men's or women's for quite awhile.

But you have to think it ends with South Carolina. Have you looked at the size of their lineup? ...and they go deep on the bench. You can bet they're going to smother CC and try to take her out of the game.

It will indeed be a miracle upset for the ages if the Hawks can pull it off. But it's March Madness...anything can happen!

My guess is they will be around a 7-8 point dog. That's not really a miracle upset.

 

[Ronman]

I heard today the Hawks are 11.5 underdogs. As much as I love this Hawkeye team, I could see them get outmuscled in this game, especially Caitlin. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't have to pick herself off the floor multiple times, often with no fouls called, or worse yet, the foul charged to Clark. I think it's going to be a very physical game with many of the commentators expressing annoyance at the way the game was called. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Good call by OP!

Hope he’s wrong about the other part though. 😎

I’m worried it will be right though.

We’ll know in the first quarter if Iowa is going to do this or not.

Have to keep it within 5-8 points or less after the 1st quarter. If so, I think we’re in good shape!

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I thought all season South Carolina would be impossible to beat.

Now I’m not so sure.

Clark may be just too much for them to overcome.

There’s no shame if/when they lose to CC & the Hawkeyes. They had one hell of a season & should be proud that they got to compete against/lose to the greatest woman’s player ever.

That would be my speech after Friday to the team if I was Dawn Staley.

Well I'll be got dammed........

 

[BonzoFury]

Wow....just WOW......

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Wow....just WOW......

This prediction was even before LSU won their Elite 8 game!

Hope I’m wrong but regardless, impressive picks!!

 

[spiderland]

This prediction was even before LSU won their Elite 8 game!

Hope I’m wrong but regardless, impressive picks!!

I’ve always been impressed by your powers of prognostication, RMH. The only part you whiffed on, though, was Staley’s postgame speech to her team not being about CC but about being called thugs and monkeys. In fairness, I would have predicted the same as you. I guess that’s why neither of us will ever be a coach of Staley’s class.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Thx! Didn’t know the racist, classless sh*t Staley said after the game until literally a few hours ago.

Unfortunately, I called the tournament before Iowa beat S Car & even before LSU won their Elite 8 game.

🤦🏽‍♂️