ALBANY, N.Y. — Caitlin Clark’s performance Saturday evening reminded Iowa associate head coach Jan Jensen of one of her star guard’s favorite athletes. “Our little quarterback in Caitlin,” Jensen said. “She loves to be Mahomes.”
The Kansas City Chiefs signal caller was an apt comparison as Clark located her teammates streaking upcourt, and when necessary, finding them for a basket. Like Patrick Mahomes, she throws them open, as well. She sees space other mortals often don’t. “She’s got all those receivers,” Jensen added.
The main Iowa receivers against Colorado were Hannah Stuelke, Sydney Affolter and Kate Martin. On countless occasions during the Sweet 16 contest, one (or multiple Hawkeyes) bolted upcourt alongside, or ahead of, Clark. They were the beneficiaries of assist after assist. (Martin added in jest, referring to the Chiefs tight end: “Sure, I’m Travis Kelce. I’m dating Taylor Swift.”)
Clark had 15 dimes, tying a season high, and she moved into third all time in women’s NCAA Division I assists, passing former Gonzaga star Courtney Vandersloot.
From the opening tip of her 29-point performance, Clark controlled the action. She finished with only two turnovers in No. 1 seed Iowa’s 89-68 victory over No. 5 seed Colorado. (She averages 4.9…
