It’s finally happening again.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers will face off when No. 1 Iowa and No. 3 UConn meet in the 2024 Women’s Final Four.
Clark dropped 41 points against No. 3 LSU in the Elite Eight, avenging the Hawkeyes’ loss in the 2023 title game. After that game, Bueckers scored 28 points as the Huskies toppled USC No. °1 80-73.
From Clark vs. Angel Reese to Bueckers vs. JuJu Watkins, the tournament featured some high-profile matchups.
And these confrontations intensify as the tournament draws to a close. Here’s what to know about Clark vs. Bueckers before the two face off on the court:
When is the Iowa vs. UConn Final Four game?
The Hawkeyes and Huskies will face off on Friday, April 5 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Have Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers ever clashed?
Yes, Clark and Bueckers last faced each other in 2021, when they were both freshmen. This game saw Bueckers and UConn defeat Clark and Iowa 92-72 in the Sweet 16.
The Bueckers dropped 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on 7-of-18 shooting to help the top-seeded Huskies.
Clark led the No. 5 Hawkeyes with 21 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block on 7-of-21 shooting.
Since then, they have not faced each other again.
What are Caitlin Clark’s stats against Paige Bueckers?
Clark has the better individual stats than Bueckers because she is in the Iowa system. Bueckers can also lead an offense, but has Aaliyah Edwards in the frontcourt to form a dangerous one-two punch.
Here’s a look at each player’s individual numbers in 2024:
- Caitlin Clark, Iowa: 36 games, 31.7 points, 8.9 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, 46/38/86 shots spread over 23/14/7 volume.
- Paige Bueckers, UConn: 37 games, 21.9 points, 3.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 1.4 blocks, 54/42/83 shots spread over 15/5/4 volume.
Were Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers teammates?
Yes, Clark and Bueckers were part of Team USA’s U19 team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. They won gold after beating Mali 93-79 in the final.
Are Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers entering the WNBA draft?
Yes, Clark, 22, is entering the 2024 WNBA Draft in which the Indiana Fever holds the No. 1 overall pick.
Bueckers, however, won’t be leaving college basketball just yet. The 22 year old announcement on February 16, that she would stay next season.
Bueckers has two years of eligibility remaining due to being a medical redshirt in 2022-23 and the additional COVID-19 year.
Did Caitlin Clark or Paige Bueckers win a national championship?
No, neither Clark nor Bueckers have a national championship under their belt.
Clark came close in 2023, but Iowa fell to LSU in the title game. The Bueckers also came close in 2022, but UConn fell to South Carolina in the title game.
The 2024 tournament will be Clark’s last chance to add some college flair to his resume, while Bueckers will still have a chance in the future.
How did Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers rank in high school?
Before Clark and Bueckers became college stars, they dominated at the high school level.
Bueckers was the No. 1 high school prospect in 2020, according to ESPN, while Clark came in at No. 4. Both were five-star prospects, with LSU’s Angel Reese and Stanford’s Cameron Brink at No. 2 and No. 3. , respectively.
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