Have Coaches Discovered a Kryptonite Defense for Caitlin Clark?

Iowa fans have enjoyed the Caitlin Clark rollercoaster ride for the past several weeks. Many thought that after putting the all-time women's NCAA scoring record behind her, Clark and the Hawkeyes could concentrate on winning the Big Ten. But that plan hit a roadblock in the form of a hungry Indiana team Thursday night. Iowa was humbled, 86-69 in front of a raucous crowd. But could this loss signal a potential weakness for Iowa going forward?

Hawk Central reports that the 17-point loss to Indiana was Iowa's largest of the season. But the blueprint may have actually been written in Nebraska several weeks earlier. You remember that game, right? Iowa led the game by 14 points going into the fourth quarter. But the Cornhuskers switched things up and bottled up Caitlin Clark using a box and one defense. Iowa was outscored by 17 in the quarter. Clark couldn't muster a single point.

Last night, the Hoosiers found similar success. Hawk Central reports that Indiana face-guarded Clark, and then switched to a zone, very similar to what Nebraska used to stifle the Hawkeyes. They basically made life as difficult as possible for Clark and slowed down the rest of her Iowa teammates. Iowa coach Lisa Bluder commended the Hoosier game plan.

They had a great game plan. I think it frustrated Caitlin at times.

It certainly did. Clark finished with 24 points, but just 4 in the second half. Hawk Central points out that she shot just 8 of 26 from the field, including 3 of 16 from three-point range. Was it just an off night? Or is this how you beat this Iowa team?

One thing is for sure. Plenty of coaches will be watching the tape from last night. Watching Indiana hound Clark all night, and watch her teammates wilt under the pressure. But you better believe Iowa coach Lisa Bluder is watching the same thing. Iowa will have answers as they host Illinois on Sunday in Iowa City. So will Caitlin Clark.