No. 3 Iowa, Caitlin Clark invade Mackey Arena as Purdue women's basketball looks for signature win
The Boilermakers have won 10 straight home games - the program's longest streak in 17 years - but will need more than home-court advantage to slow down the nation's No. 1 player
Here comes the Caitlin Clark show to West Lafayette.
On Wednesday, Clark and third-ranked Iowa face the Boilermakers before a sold-out crowd at Mackey Arena.
So, what’s at stake this early in the Big Ten season?
Iowa is trying to reach Saturday’s nationally televised showdown against Indiana at Carver-Hawkeye Arena unbeaten in league play. Meanwhile, Purdue is seeking a marquee victory after losing to UCLA and Notre Dame on the road and dropping a painful loss at Minnesota last month.
“This is a huge game for us. This is a huge game for anyone who plays Iowa,” freshman Mary Ashley Stevenson said. “This is what our nonconference prepares us for, playing UCLA, Notre Dame. We learned from both of those games and that’s going to help us put our best foot forward.”
Otherwise, it’s another conference game with a lot more attention than normal because of Clark, who is chasing the NCAA all-time scoring record and is scheduled to surpass Washington’s Kelsey Plum in February.
“It’s a home game and we’ve got to find a way to protect our court no matter who we’re playing against,” Purdue coach Katie Gearlds said. “The challenge and the task is a little bit more difficult because of our opponent, but our goal remains the same – stay undefeated at home. We can’t do that if we don’t win (Wednesday).”
Purdue’s Jeanae Terry is surrounded by teammates (Dave Wegiel Photography)
WHAT GEARLDS SAID ABOUT CLARK
“Probably hands down the most skilled offensive player that our game has seen, maybe go back to (UConn star) Diana Taurasi. She’s too good to keep trying to do the same thing over and over. She’s seen it all. What’s great is she’s got the supporting cast around her, and that allows her to be who she is. And they step up and make plays when they need to.”
CLARK’S HISTORY VS. PURDUE
Wednesday is the sixth time the Boilermakers have faced Clark, losing the previous five meetings. In fact, Purdue hasn’t beaten Iowa since Jan. 10, 2019 – the same date as Wednesday’s game. It’s a string of seven straight losses.
Clark has scored at least 22 points in the five games against Purdue aided by 40 of 51 shooting from the line. She’s shot 40.4% from the field but just 26.4% from 3-point range. Clark has yet to hit a 3-pointer at Mackey Arena, going 0 of 6 two years ago.
She’s also averaging 7.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists against the Boilermakers, who lost to the Hawkeyes in last year’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
HOME COURT STREAK
Purdue brings a 10-game winning streak at home into Wednesday’s game, the program’s longest since 2007. A victory would give the Boilermakers their 500th all-time victory at Mackey Arena.
“Opportunity to defend Mackey - that’s what we’re all about,” Ellis said.
The Hawkeyes are accustomed to big crowds on the road. They played before over 15,000 in Charlotte against Virginia Tech, more than 14,000 at Wisconsin and at Iowa State and Rutgers packed about 8,000 into the RAC last weekend.
All of Iowa’s home games are sellouts, forcing its fans to travel to away venues to watch Clark. How many make it to Mackey Arena is unclear since the state of Iowa was hit by a major snowstorm this week.
“Clark is an incredible draw for our game and no matter where they go, they have really good crowds,” Gearlds said. “It’s a testatment to how much in the state of Indiana and the city that we love basketball.”
It’s the program’s fourth sellout and the second time the Hawkeyes have been the opponent. Last year’s Indiana game was sold out, and this year’s freshmen class –Stevenson, Rashunda Jones, Sophie Swanson, Emily Monson, and McKenna Layden were in attendance.
“That’s why those kids came here to help get us back and play in big games,” Gearlds said.
CAN PURDUE PULL THE UPSET?
No question the Boilermakers are the underdog, but they’ve been competitive in the last five meetings in this series.
None of the games have gone down to the final seconds but Purdue challenged Iowa in last year’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
“We played 30 minutes of really good basketball,” senior Abbey Ellis said. “Now, we’re physically and mentally prepared to play that full 40 minutes. We’re ready to play that 40 minutes and hopefully be on top this time.”
The Boilermakers can ride the momentum of the home crowd but will need to take care of the ball, avoid scoring droughts, and limit the Hawkeyes to one shot to close out defensive possessions.
While the pregame focus is on slowing down Clark, Stevenson could be a matchup problem for Iowa. She’s expanded her offensive game to the mid-range and the 3-point line, forcing defenders away from the basket. Jones brings her quickness and the ability to score in transition.
Madison Layden is one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation this season and will need production from the perimeter. The battle between Caitlyn Harper and Hannah Stuelke could determine how this game swings. Jeanae Terry is a steady playmaker who must play a clean game.
IOWA’S SUPPORTING CAST
While the Hawkeyes go as Clark goes, they have other weapons.
Stuelke is shooting 64.4% from the field and has taken over the inside scoring for Monika Czinano, who worked pick-and-roll magic with Clark throughout their careers.
Iowa averages 90 points and Clark is responsible for about one-third of the scoring production. Other players are stepping up and understanding their roles in making this work.
“It’s a different kind of attack on the offensive end,” Gearlds said. “Stuelke is more of a rim runner and offensive rebounds. They throw it into her in the post but not nearly as much as they did with Monika last year. But if (Clark) is on the court, and she’s on your team, you have to feel good about your chances.”
AND FINALLY
The Indiana Fever’s coaching staff and other personnel are scheduled to attend Wednesday’s game to demonstrate support for Clark. The Fever have the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, and Clark is considered a lock to be the top selection if she decides to turn pro.
Clark has one more year of eligibility if she elects to remain at Iowa.
“If you asked me last summer, I hope she took her COVID year because she’s great for our game but I’m ready for her to get the hell out of here,” Gearlds said with a smile.
WEDNESDAY’S GAME
No. 3 Iowa (15-1, 4-0) at Purdue (9-5, 2-1)
Time: 8 p.m.
Streaming: Peacock (subscription required)
Radio: BOB-FM
Nice write up Mike