Iowa Clobbers Colorado To Set Up Rematch Between Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese, LSU

ALBANY, NY – After a thrilling first game in the Albany 2 Region of the Women's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 round, the second contest didn't deliver much drama. Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes dominated the Colorado Buffaloes en route to an 89-68 victory. That sets up the rematch against LSU that everyone wants to see. The LSU Tigers and Angel Reese defeated Iowa in the National Championship last year. 

The Hawkeyes led by eight points at the end of the first quarter, 13 at halftime, and then stretched their lead to 21 to close out the third quarter. There were 10 minutes left to play, but the game felt over. The crowd, which was electric at the beginning of the game, settled into the inevitable conclusion. All eyes now turn to the Monday night Elite Eight showdown between Iowa and LSU. 

Clark did what she usually does and helped secure the win by scoring a ton of points and setting up her teammates. She racked up a double-double with 29 points and 15 assists, adding six rebounds. Iowa coach Lisa Bluder removed her star with 90 seconds left, and the crowd gave her a standing ovation. 

But Saturday was just an appetizer for the main course set for Monday night. 

Of course, most people don't need to be reminded, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't. LSU star Angel Reese taunted Caitln Clark as the Tigers ran out the clock to capture the National Championship. That led to a lot of conversation about the interaction which, inevitably, became racial. 

LSU Tigers star Angel Reese taunts Iowa star Caitlin Clark during 2023 Women's NCAA Championship game.

(Getty Images)

Iowa is determined not to worry about any of that, but they'd be lying if they said they didn't want revenge. 

Clark declined to add much fuel to the already raging fire, instead going with a more diplomatic approach when asked about the rematch. 

"Anytime you have a chance to go up against somebody you lost to, it brings a little more energy," she said about facing LSU in the NCAA Tournament in the second straight season. 

"At this point in the tournament every single team is good, whether you're playing West Virginia, whether you're playing Colorado, whether you're playing LSU you prep the exact same way.

"I think overall it's just going to be a really great game for women's basketball. They're really solid one through five," she added. 

She was also asked how much she thinks about that loss to LSU last year. 

"Honestly, not that much. Ever since this season started, my focus is like 1-0 every single time we take the court. I think that's exactly what Coach Bluder preaches. I'm not caught up in the past, not caught up in the future," she said. "Sorry my memory is not very great, but that's all I've got." 

Caitlin Clark can downplay the matchup and say she doesn't think about it, but that's hard to believe. It was the biggest game of her basketball career, to this point, but she's saying all the right things. 

All that matters now, though, is the matchup with LSU this season. It's an Elite Eight game, not a National Championship, but for the second-straight season, the road to a title goes through LSU for Iowa. 

Can Clark and the Hawkeyes flip the script this season? We'll find out on Monday night.