Caitlin Clark, a name that has etched itself into the annals of NCAA Division I basketball history. With an astonishing 3,951 points accumulated over four seasons, she stands as the unrivaled leading scorer. Now, as she casts her gaze backward, a question lingers in her mind – why wasn't she guarded more effectively?

WNBA vs. College Women's Basketball: The IQ Disparity

In a profound TIME interview with Sean Gregory, Clark vividly pointed out the significant gap in basketball IQ between the WNBA and the women's college game. "Professional players and coaches – and this is no slight against college women's basketball – are notably more astute," she expressed. "I hold women's college basketball dear. Yet, when you revisit how people guarded me in college, it's somewhat disconcerting. They didn't double-team me, they didn't trap me, and they weren't physically imposing."Clark acknowledged that many of the opponents she faced were not destined to continue their basketball careers beyond college, and that basketball IQ played a crucial role. "A great many of those women will never don a basketball court again in their lives," she said. "They lack the understanding of how the game operates. Hence, I wholeheartedly comprehend it. And it's by no means a disrespect; they simply don't possess that IQ. One must simplify the game for girls at that age."In her senior season, Clark's statistical prowess was on full display. She averaged an astounding 32.1 points, 8.5 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game, achieving an impressive six triple-doubles. Her 2024 tournament journey was marked by a remarkable 41-point, 12-assist performance in an Elite Eight victory over LSU. During that game, she was primarily guarded by Hailey Van Lith, a 5’ 7 guard who clearly struggled to keep pace with her.At that time, numerous spectators pondered why LSU didn't adopt a double-team strategy or deploy a more physically dominant defender against her. The outcome was a resounding 94 - 87 Iowa victory.Now, it is evident that Clark frequently questioned the lackluster defensive schemes employed by opposing teams and coaches.Clark initially faced challenges in the early days of her WNBA career but swiftly adapted and found her rhythm. She went on to average 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. From the very outset, she encountered a level of physicality and defensive intensity that was rarely experienced in college.In her TIME interview with Gregory, an NCAA women's basketball game between USC and Ole Miss played in the background, adding a poignant backdrop to her reflections. "I feel as if, if I were out there, I would effortlessly amass 50 points," Clark declared. "The college game is undeniably more straightforward compared to the professional realm."