Seniors in Iowa women’s basketball are trying to postpone the end as long as they can.
IOWA CITY Kate Martin, who was a mainstay of the Iowa women’s basketball program for six seasons, has learned to embrace her senior status. Although Martin needed some persuasion at first, especially from one outstanding teammate, to return for her final year of eligibility, that choice has added a remarkable chapter to her already extensive and successful career.
What’s a few more weeks, then?
Martin laughed and remarked, “It’s been really hard for everyone to get rid of me.” “I’m still working on becoming difficult to get rid of.”
In actuality, so are all Hawkeyes.
While every collegiate player whose career will end in the NCAA Tournament knows the perils of March can barge in anytime, reaching the end hits differently when touting a senior class like this one. It’s ultimately a fruitless task, trying to fend off that final game, that last practice, from ever happening. But there’s ample joy in delaying them as long as possible.
You know the five by now — Martin, Caitlin Clark, Gabbie Marshall, Molly Davis and Sharon Goodman — each of whom will have a role if the No. 1 seed Hawkeyes do in fact return to the Final Four with eyes on another national championship game. Although all responsibilities may not look the same, their ability to blend together offers Iowa its best chance to prolong these careers.
“I just really believe in the power of thought, and you have to be confident,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “They have to have no fears.”
These games for Marshall, Goodman, and possibly Davis could be their last ones at Iowa, if not their lives. Basketball is not part of Marshall and Goodman’s post-career plans, as they have previously stated. Bluder stated a few weeks ago that although contracts are difficult to come by for players of her size and position, Davis would like to play abroad the following season. It makes sense that her knee injury from Ohio State on March 3 would make things more difficult.
Based on Bluder’s ominous injury update Monday, the Hawkeyes would likely need a deep tourney run to get Davis healthy enough for some kind of return. Goodman’s minutes have declined significantly this season after beginning the year in the starting lineup, but the size Iowa might encounter down the road could lead to one more cameo. Marshall’s confidence has completely turned after another sluggish start gave way to another electric postseason so far.
“When you think about any game could be your last game, you kind of just want to leave it all out there and play as hard as you can,” Marshall said. “Obviously the goal is to make it to the national championship game, and that would be quite a way to go out in my college years.
“I think I’m just going to use that as motivation, but it’s always in the back of my mind.”
Martin and Clark have the same emotions. Clark was the one who persuaded her close friend to return for this sixth and last season. And despite all the distractions flying in all directions, Martin has been the most successful in keeping Clark grounded.
When Clark revealed her WNBA plans prior to Iowa’s last regular-season game, a sizable one was eliminated. While she travels this final black-and-gold route, there is no emotional uncertainty or a backlog of questions from the media regarding her future.
Not every world-class athlete has the opportunity or desire to set up the finale of something unique like that. However, in this instance, Clark has a strong and well-established incentive to continue playing, which will probably result in the best Clark in the upcoming games.
“I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate, and I kind of know that every court appearance could be my last,” Clark remarked. “Just taking it all in and giving it my all.”
Only Goodman and Clark were recruited by Iowa, out of the five seniors on the team. This departing group was created by injuries, the transfer portal, and COVID, and it was made up of seasoned voices who had seen almost everything.
They anticipate seeing a bit more.
“I’ve made a conscious effort to savor each moment and not take anything for granted,” Martin stated. “I’ve done a circle around. I’m rather pleased with it. Who knows? Of course, I want to continue playing, so I want to become a coach or do whatever comes next.
