For the second time, the Iowa Hawkeyes had a chance to defeat a top-ten team, yet they couldn’t find a way to do it. In a recent game against the No. 3 UCLA Bruins, Iowa faced a 67-65 loss after surrendering a double-digit second-half lead. Despite the loss, UCLA’s head coach found a reason to praise the opponent.As she stood inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, nostalgia hit her. There was a time when the arena had more vacant seats than spectators, and now it was fully packed. “One of our associate head coaches, Shannon Laboff, played here. She was Shannon Perry then, and I looked at her and just said, ‘Man, this town, this city has a lot to be proud of—the way they have rallied behind their women’s basketball program,’” she recalled.And she’s right. Over the past few years, Iowa has reached incredible heights. Notably, the 2024 Big Ten Championship between Iowa and Nebraska became the most-watched women’s basketball game in 25 years, drawing over 3 million viewers and peaking at 4.45 million in overtime. During her opening statement, Cori Close praises Iowa City and the Hawkeye fan base for being a big reason behind the growth of women’s basketball: pic.twitter.com/xpxtog7I3q— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) February 23, 2025But that’s not the only milestone the Hawkeyes have achieved. The NCAA Championship game between Iowa and South Carolina shattered records as well, drawing 18.9 million viewers—the largest audience ever for a women’s basketball game. And the numbers inside arenas are just as staggering.Iowa’s exhibition game against DePaul at Kinnick Stadium attracted 55,646 fans, setting a new NCAA women’s basketball attendance record. Seventeen of Iowa’s 19 all-time sellouts at Carver-Hawkeye Arena have come in the past three seasons.Still not impressed? On the road, the Hawkeyes are a box-office draw, with attendance at opposing arenas surging by over 150% when Iowa comes to town. “This environment is one of the best in the country, and a lot of you deserve credit for how you’ve told their stories and built the enthusiasm around this program,” added UCLA’s head coach. No doubt, Caitlin Clark has played a major role in transforming Iowa into what it is today.While Caitlin Clark continues dominance, Iowa Hawkeyes struggles to fill up her shoesEver since Caitlin Clark entered the collegiate basketball scene, women’s sports have reached unprecedented heights—and it all started with Iowa. Consider this: She became the first Division I player to surpass 3,000 points and 1,000 assists, and she continues to shatter milestones with her dynamic play.It’s her style that captivates audiences and urges them to empty their wallets for tickets. She’s often compared to a mix of Steph Curry’s deep shooting and Pete Maravich’s creativity. Even after transitioning to the WNBA, she’s maintaining the same electrifying pace.IOWA CITY, IA – MARCH 25: Iowa guard Caitlin Clark 22 as seen at a post game press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after the West Virginia Mountaineers game versus the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the NCAA, College League, USA Division I Women s Championship on March 25, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire NCAA BASKETBALL: MAR 25 Div I Women s Championship Second Round – West Virginia vs Iowa EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2403002506Yet, Iowa remains unaffected by her departure—at least in terms of attention. On January 22, 2025, the Hawkeyes recorded an attendance of 3,380 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington. And on February 2nd, the USC vs. Iowa game drew 1.1 million viewers, making it the fourth most-watched game of the season. The game also garnered attention as it followed Clark’s #22 jersey retirement ceremony.Despite the lingering excitement around the program, filling the void left by Clark has been a challenge. This season, the team is just 27 games in and struggling to secure a solid March Madness spot. Sitting at 8-8 in the Big Ten, Iowa is far behind USC’s 15-1 and UCLA’s 14-1 Records.Additionally, the Hawkeyes have lost five games by a single possession and haven’t won any contests decided in the final seconds. However, their roster is fighting hard for a comeback. They nearly handed USC a loss and pushed No. 3 UCLA to the final seconds before falling 67-65.With two games left before the season finale, Iowa stands at 18-9. What do you think? Will the selection committee reward this rising program with a tournament berth?The post No Signs of Caitlin Clark Effect Fading at Iowa as UCLA Coach Lavishes Praise After Close Victory appeared first on EssentiallySports.