Iowa's End Disappointing, Not Failure

Sunday's National Title Game Loss Doesn't Define Hawkeyes

Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) and South Carolina Gamecocks / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The end would be bittersweet no matter the outcome. It was this team’s last ever game. 

The memory of these Hawkeyes always will mean so much to so many people. Their story will be told for generations, a superstar with a legacy cemented. 

What happened in Sunday’s title tilt against top-ranked South Carolina would be the final chapter in a storybook, two-season run. The history of this Hawkeye program is proud and reaching back-to-back national championship games is its pinnacle of success, Caitlin Clark its greatest player. 

For this special Iowa group, the game’s outcome meant the world. Winning it all is a realization of goals few people experience. It’s the ultimate achievement for all competitors, especially at this level. 

Clark said earlier this week that bringing a title back to her native state would mean to the world to her. It’s been her main goal since arriving at the University of Iowa. 

As you know by now, Iowa came up a win short of a national championship for a second year in a row. Last year, it was LSU and Angel Reese that ended the dream. Sunday, unbeaten South Carolina entered the discussion of greatest teams ever with a 87-75 win in Cleveland. 

The conclusion was harsh. Anything short of the big trophy was going to be that way. The Hawkeyes set the bar all the way at the top. 

Healing will take time. The heartbreak will never completely go away. Eventually, it will be outweighed by appreciation for their accomplishments. 

A byproduct of the loss was critics questioning Clark’s greatness. It provided ammunition to the crowd believing you can’t be the greatest of all time (GOAT) without a championship. 

Let them flap their gums. She’s in the discussion, title or not. Her achievements are mind blowing and, with all due respect to her supporting cast, Iowa doesn’t sniff the Final Four without her. 

Iowa Women’s Basketball boasts a proud history with legendary players and teams. She’s the greatest player on its best-ever squad. Their reunions will be epic. 

Nothing that happened Sunday erased the awesome memories this group of women authored during the last two years. It played the leading role in changing the game forever. At best, South Carolina was the co-star in that. 

Fans lined up around arenas when the Hawkeyes played like they never had before. They traveled from around the country and the world to watch the show.

Sunday’s tickets rose to  an average of almost $500 each on the secondary market, the highest prices ever fetched. The TV rankings have reached new heights, and the last game will set a new record.

Ignore the knuckleheads on social media platforms and other small-minded people taking victory laps right now. They’re jealous and unhappy.

Focus on the incredible ride you enjoyed, Hawkeye Nation. Thinking about that will bring a smile to your face. 

Your team did not fail. It came up just short, but fought hard until the end. That’s all you can ask for and there’s no shame in that.