It's not so much the distance, but when you lose by 8 (and this isn't the first time)...what would happen if she traded some of those lower percentage shots for higher percentage shots? She shoots a higher percentage from the 2 range. And imagine playing with her and you're busting hump on D...which she is not good at btw...and after all that hard work she's launching 3s from the logo. She looks great, but the point is for the team to win. There have been a few games...didn't make ESPN where she literally shot them out of games...and they lose by a few points. And even when she makes shots...three defenders are basically resting because she has the ball in her hand most of every possession. But, I don't blame Clark. I blame the coach for running a predictable offense. Why would anyone want to play there alongside Clark?
I feel you are missing a bit of context. Iowa was down 20, missing two key starters and Cinzano was in foul trouble and had her hands filled with Naz Hillman. Literally, Clark was forced to carry the entire offensive burden on her shoulders. If one takes a different perspective, Clark shooting from the logo area might be a stroke of genius. First, let’s give her some props from being able to shoot from this distance, let alone making them. Second, Michigan knew she was going to shoot, and Clark, by launching and making these threes, opened space for her to drive and get to the basket, which she did.
As UConn fans, we lauded Azzi’s performance, and rightfully so. She played a fundamentally sound game, didn’t force anything and took the opportunities as presented. Fortunately, she gets a modicum of space, simply because UConn has other weapons available. Imagine if Azzi was the only viable scorer. She might not have been able to take 9 threes against UT. Also, consider if Azzi had to take 30 shots to keep UConn in the game. I know she is physically capable, but there would be enormous mental pressure on her to perform. This is the weight Clark carries into every game. Some nights she is off and forces too many bad shot selections. Other nights, she is other worldly.
Lastly, Azzi scored 25 against UT and played a spectacular game. Clark scored 25 in the 4th quarter alone, putting a scare into a really good Michigan team. Iowa is undersized and their talent level is far inferior to UConn. UConn has 3 unbelievable talents in Azzi, Caroline and Paige. While I believe Paige is the best player in the country, what Clark is doing for Iowa is incredible. She is asked to shoulder enormous responsibility and in most instances, she does so in spectacular fashion.
