The 2022-23 NCAA championship finals showdown between Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes and Angel Reese-led LSU Tigers, has gone down in history as one of the biggest rivalries ever seen in the NCAA. The beef between two superstars of the league, Clark and Reese, could be felt by the spectators as they went off against each other with back-to-back baskets. Fast forwarding to today, the rivalry between these stars is not going away. 

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Almost two months into the season, both the players and their respective teams are sending shockwaves in the world with their team chemistry and exceptional talents. As the season continues, many fans want to know Iowa Basketball’s current standing in the NCAA and whether Clark will be able to get revenge this season. 

NCAA standings showdown

In the last season, Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes championship run ended when they lost in the finals against LSU. They were also trash-talked by the Lady Tigers as the match was coming to an end. And this year the Hawkeyes will be eyeing for a redemption from the disrespect they got. 

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As of now, things are looking pretty good for the Hawkeyes as the team has played 15 matches in the ongoing 2023-24 season, out of which they have won fourteen and lost one. The only match they lost was against the Kansas State Wildcats, which also happened to be the worst shooting night for Clark. But the team overcame their setback and is on a winning streak of 11 matches. As per the NCAA rankings, the Hawkeyes are currently ranked as the No.4 team in the league.

Whereas, their rivals, the Tigers are ranked No.7, with 13 wins out of the 14 matches they have played till now. As the season moves closer towards the championship finals every day, fans eagerly anticipate the matchup between these powerhouses. 

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Read More – Angel Reese Bids Adieu to “Life Changing” Year With a Plan for 2024

Notably, if these teams face off against each other, Caitlin Clark will be looking for revenge following last season’s upset. 

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Caitlin Clark’s quest for redemption

On an individual level, this fight is bigger for Clark as she is the player who has to face the wrath of Reese. So far, in the ongoing 2023-24 NCAA season, Clark and the Hawkeyes have put out an impressive performance till now. The Iowa star is currently averaging 30.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. Whereas, on the other hand, her archrival, the Bayou Barbie is averaging 19.6 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

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For now, it will be a stretch to say if Clark will be able to successfully avenge her last year’s loss or not, but it can be said for sure that Clark’s performance in the league is far better than Reese’s.  

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Ojus Verma

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Ojus Verma is a College Basketball and WNBA author at EssentiallySports and head of the Analysis Desk. A former player with 13 years of on-court experience, he covers the game from the inside out, specializing in tactical breakdowns, player development, and the rivalries that define each season. His coverage of the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese story goes back to their college careers and has earned consistent recognition for the balance and context it brings to one of the most discussed narratives in women's basketball. Beyond individual storylines, Ojus has also reported in depth on the WNBA and WNBPA CBA negotiations in the past.

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