Ben Dull (Floor Game) on why "Caitlin Clark Is Already Better Than You Think"

[Dillon77]

Dull goes whole "Her Hoops stats" and other measures in analyzing Clark's season. Lots of video highlights to boot and comparisons with other ball handlers/scorers, from Bueckers and Evans to Dungee and Owusu.

Some points:

- Clark leads the country in both scoring average (27.4) and usage rate (38.1) according to Her Hoop Stats. Suboptimal efficiency can often poke holes in a case for high-volume scorers in direct comparisons with the top players from other teams. Not with Clark. Hers has been exceptional. Clark is shooting 56 percent on 2-pointers and a staggering 42 percent on nearly 10 3-point attempts per game.

- Clark’s 64.1 true shooting percentage ranks in the 98th percentile nationally according to Pivot Analysis. No player has been asked to carry a bigger workload this season, and Clark has done so while being one of the most efficient players in the country.

- Clark’s ability to convert at a high rate taking so many difficult shots off the dribble puts an incredible amount of stress on an opponent (and on any coaching staff trying to prepare for a tilt with Iowa). They are left in a no-win situation. Extend your defense to pressure Clark and account for that deep shooting range and she’ll have an easier time getting in the lane to score or find an open shooter. Play her from a “normal” depth and risk watching her comfortably launch right over you.

It's a pretty extensive/exhaustive/detailed account on just what she's been doing this year. Yes, I'm sure all of this could've been tailored to match other participants in the charts, but the point is look what this kid is doing. How she's not on the Wooden list is beyond me.

Enjoy and look forward to more takes....

Caitlin Clark is already better than you think

Why this Iowa freshman is already one of the best players in the country

floorgame.substack.com

 

[Sched234]

This will turn into a Defense of Paige Bueckers thread in 3, 2...

 

[Dillon77]

This will turn into a Defense of Paige Bueckers thread in 3, 2...

Ha! That thought passed my mind while taking a jog after posting it.
In the same vein, posting this on McGraw's Bench might cause an Irish Wake to break out, given that Clark's decision apparently came down to Iowa vs. ND. Sigh....order one up. 🤧

 

[dtbtbtb]

There is no need to defend Paige as her game speaks for itself. Clark is an exceptional player but Paige is better!

 

[Blacketh’D]

Honestly.... I think Uconn never has its early season struggles if she was on this team. Not that she's better, but she fills the holes we had with the team at the beginning of the year from the get go and still is a good distributer.

 

[SECbbfan24]

This will turn into a Defense of Paige Bueckers thread in 3, 2...

Not sure why it has to be

We can acknowledge both are some of the top players in WBB. Both are only freshmen but play like veteran players and they haven't hit their potential yet either.

 

[Sched234]

There is no need to defend Paige as her game speaks for itself. Clark is an exceptional player but Paige is better!

I understand what you’re saying but this literally proved my point lol

Not sure why it has to be

We can acknowledge both are some of the top players in WBB. Both are only freshmen but play like veteran players and they haven't hit their potential yet either.

Well, I agree. I’d list both as first-team All Americans. But all season long, mention of Clark’s accomplishments have immediately been met with comparisons to Paige’s. They’re two freshmen unlike any we’ve seen in the game for some time. Wish we’d celebrate both.

 

[bballnut90]

Her stats are insane considering her efficiency and the volume of shots she takes. She also takes a lot of difficult shots or insanely deep 3s and hits them consistently. If she keeps up her scoring the next 3 years she'll finish #1 all time in NCAA history, even with this shortened season. If she defies odds and stays 5 years and keeps up her scoring, she'll score over 4000 points.

 

[npignatjr]

Honestly.... I think Uconn never has its early season struggles if she was on this team. Not that she's better, but she fills the holes we had with the team at the beginning of the year from the get go and still is a good distributer.

Any struggles the team had was on the defensive end. Something Paige plays.

 

[npignatjr]

What is her + -?

 

[Shades]

They’re two freshmen unlike any we’ve seen in the game for some time.

I wonder how they compare to Ionescu as a freshman?

 

[cancontent]

Not sure why it has to be

We can acknowledge both are some of the top players in WBB. Both are only freshmen but play like veteran players and they haven't hit their potential yet either.

And that's the scary and exciting part. Three more years to see their play develop.

I understand what you’re saying but this literally proved my point lol

Well, I agree. I’d list both as first-team All Americans. But all season long, mention of Clark’s accomplishments have immediately been met with comparisons to Paige’s. They’re two freshmen unlike any we’ve seen in the game for some time. Wish we’d celebrate both.

I've seen this going both ways depending on the fan base as Iowa fans have been quick to point out Clark's when something is posted about Beuckers.

I'm with you on celebrating the both of them. Let's just sit back and enjoy the show because it's damn entertaining (unless your a fan of the team playing against them).

 

[nwhoopfan]

I wonder how they compare to Ionescu as a freshman?

She wasn't a prolific scorer as a Fr. (around 14.5 ppg IIRC). She did have a fair number of triple doubles her first year. Also several game winning shots. I think Oregon's unexpected run to the Elite 8 is what really grew her reputation.

 

[Bajan Best]

Honestly.... I think Uconn never has its early season struggles if she was on this team. Not that she's better, but she fills the holes we had with the team at the beginning of the year from the get go and still is a good distributer.

Do you really believe she would not have to adjust to the UCONN system?
There is also a good chance that she might have struggled if it was her at UConn, instead of Paige..
Now if you said in exchange for Christyn early on, then perhaps I might agree with you..

One other thing, a team with a 20-1 record in your own words "struggled" and would be better off by replacing it's current leader with another player on a team with a 16-8 record? Anything is possible, but I like where we are, thank you very much...

 

[Blue Huskie]

Who the heck is Ben Dull? Some guru wannabe?

 

[eebmg]

There is no need to defend Paige as her game speaks for itself. Clark is an exceptional player but Paige is better!

Or in my view, better for the unique challenges of the UConn environment