Hey there! It’s your homegirl, CoachLeahTM, recovering from a long weekend that overflowed with activities, events, and games this past weekend in Houston and Dallas.
March Madness 2023 lived up to it’s moniker for both the men’s and women’s championships. Bracket busting ensued early in the tournament – especially on the men’s side. The Men’s Final Four was exempt from each the region’s #1 seed. The highest seeded team, #4 UConn, did prevail with their school’s 5th National Title. On the women’s side, LSU was only the third team as a #3 seed to win the championship.
2023 set the women’s tournament record for All-Time Attendance at 357,542. Other notable records for the 2022-23 season:
- Highest scoring final (102-85)
- Highest scoring half in a final (59 points by L.S.U.)
- Most double-doubles in a single season (by Reese with 34)
- Caitlin Clark’s performance in the round of 8 with the first 40-point triple-double in a Division I N.C.A.A. tournament, men’s or women’s.
My point of view from Press Row
As I watched the finals game from press row, it was evident that free-throws would likely not be a determining factor as was the case during Iowa’s win over undefeated, South Carolina in their Semi-Finals defeat. LSU shot 71% from the free-throw line compared to Iowa’s 70%.
LSU was able to contain Caitlin Clark’s deep threes and her quick release as the Tigers consistently communicated whether they would “switch” or “fight through” the two and three picks that would be set for Clark to get her open shot.
With 2:57 left in the game, Iowa, down 13, was not really out of the game, but I did not see a sense of urgency by the Hawkeyes to stop LSU from scoring and then score quickly on the other end – as was their custom.
Kate Martin, a redshirt senior, had unbelievable shooting in the game, connecting on 100% of her shots heading into the locker room at halftime and was 5/7 from the field for the game finishing with 13 points. That may not seem like a big deal because Martin’s efficiency was overshadowed by teammate and Player of the Year, Caitlin Clark – who’s stat line, with the exception of her point total, was subpar for the game connecting on only 9 of 22 shots for the game. Iowa would lose, but gave props and respect to LSU – sharing sincere congratulations in interviews and on social media platforms.
From the Coaches Perspective
During the post-game press conference, I asked Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder, “What was the focus of your message during that timeout in the fourth quarter?” Coach Bluder responded, “I don’t know if I can remember. The one that I called when they went up 14 or whatever? Just keep believing. Stop, score, stop. We went through switching one through four, small screens, just a little bit of a change. Focus on what we can control and not on what we can’t control. There’s a lot of things out there we couldn’t control, and I just didn’t want my team getting wrapped up in it.”
During LSU’s post-game press conference, Mulkey was asked, “What does it mean to win a title in your home state now and get LSU its first ever men’s or women’s basketball championship?” Mulkey said, “With about 1:30 to go, I couldn’t hold it. I got very emotional. That’s really not like me until the buzzer goes off, but I knew we were going to hold on and win this game. I don’t know if it’s the mere fact that we’re doing this in my second year back home. I don’t know if it was the fact that I am home. I don’t know if it was looking across there at my daughter and my grandchildren. I don’t know if it was looking across at LSU. I don’t know what it was, but I lost it. So that should tell you what I think about it. Very, very emotional and tears of joy.”
The only woman, LSU Head Coach, Kim Mulkey, joins a very small legendary group [Joe B. Hall – Kentucky, Bob Knight – Ohio State and Indiana respectively, and Dean Smith, as a player for Kansas and then as North Carolina’s coach] that have won a National Title as players and coaches. Mulkey also joins an exclusive group of coaches that have won the NCAA Div. 1 Basketball Championship at more than one institution.
Who are the other coaches that have won the NCAA Div. 1 Basketball Championship at more than one institution? Be the first to email the correct answer to win a gift card: CoachLeah@InsightNews.com
