Iowa wants more than a Final Four berth. The Hawkeyes' words are convincing
Dargan SouthardALBANY, N.Y. — It often gets thrown in as a courteous acknowledgment after a monumental win, that the finish line hasn't arrived even if it can, mentally, feel like it has.
Many times, however, those are hollow words that ultimately lack the execution they project. The follow-up effort to such an emotionally draining win often looks completely different than what just transpired.
After Monday's draining Elite Eight win over LSU that unfolded with 12-plus million watching around the country, those who represent Iowa women's basketball dished out several of those "we're not done yet" responses ahead of arriving in Cleveland for the Final Four. The top-seeded Hawkeyes conquered everything associated with Monday's national championship game rematch, which felt like its own show amid the bigger NCAA Tournament presentation. But with potentially two massive showdowns remaining — Friday's Final Four matchup against No. 3 seed Connecticut and Sunday's title game — these Hawkeyes believe their epic journey still has more to come.
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So, which is it?
Simply saying the right thing? Or a sign that Iowa has already turned the page on the victory that countless viewed as the climax of this memorable campaign?
"For us, it's not over," sixth-year guard Kate Martin said Monday night after Iowa's 94-87 win over the Tigers. "We want to end our season on top.
"This wasn't our national championship. We've got two more games."
Signs are everywhere that add validity to this dialogue.
There was no celebratory dogpile, no uncontrollable emotions when the final horn sounded inside Albany's MVP Arena. Sure, Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes were elated to topple LSU, given that it meant a second Final Four trip in as many seasons after zero in the previous 30. But there was a clear demeanor that Iowa anticipated being in this spot, performing like this on such a visible stage.
The postgame scene mirrored that same energy. Smiles were everywhere in the Iowa locker room, no doubt, as everyone in black and gold munched on celebratory pizza and soaked in what had just transpired. Yet, this wasn't a full-on party with no end in sight.
That was understandably the vibe last season in Seattle, with Martin even adding that net slicing felt more significant than Monday's given how long Iowa's Final Four absence had been. That accomplishment felt unbelievable. This one felt expected.
"I even noticed that," fifth-year guard Gabbie Marshall said. "Most teams would probably dogpile and celebrate for longer than we did. In all of our minds, it's like, 'Yeah, we beat LSU. But we want more than that.' We want more than just the Final Four.'
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"We know what that feels like. Literally everyone on this team was a part of that last year, so they have the experience winning those types of games and what it takes to win those types of games. All of us have the same mindset. We are not done yet. We have two more games to win."
As much as Iowa had to separate itself from last season's magical ride to generate an adequate sequel this year, the Final Four experience obtained in Dallas should have a productive impact in Cleveland — as much off the court as on it.
The Hawkeyes arrived last season as Final Four newbies, somewhat oblivious to the chaotic media and event schedule that unfolds in the days before Friday's semifinal games. It's a grueling itinerary long before the ball is tipped. Knowing what's coming in that regard can only help Iowa turn its emphatic words into reality.
"I think we wore ourselves out last year trying to be all things to all people and do everything," said Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder, who again took her team straight from the Elite Eight to the Final Four without returning to Iowa in between. "So I think we're going to be a little more selective this year on what we do and how long we're at events.
"We certainly want to be at all of Caitlin's awards. But maybe this year, we're not going to have the whole team at every single one of them because it got to be a lot. I need them to really lock in and rest. I think at this time of year, recovery is so important."
Given all that's happened between now and last season's title game and how foreign most of it was to the Iowa program, it would've been easy for the Hawkeyes to reach the NCAA Tournament with little left in the tank, both physically and emotionally. It's been a hectic calendar year and to add something as sizable as Monday's win, with all the buildup attached, created an easy opportunity for Iowa to take a big breath once cementing a Final Four return.
Things have shifted, though — Clark's initially bold confidence having fully infiltrated this program more than ever imagined. Accomplishments that once seemed absurd are now expected. Basketball walls that once appeared impenetrable have been demolished with ease.
The Hawkeyes believe they'll be the last team standing, and won't settle for anything less.
“You’re never satisfied with being in the Final Four," Clark said. "We were really close to achieving our goal last year. Being able to get back there is amazing … but once you get there, you kind of turn the page. There’s a fine line of enjoying this, but you’ve got to move on to the next, too.”
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.