Daily Briefing — Feb. 7, 2022: The headline remains the same — Caitlin Clark

But first: We need to talk about Caitlin Clark. Over her last seven games, the Iowa point guard has notched: a 31-point triple-double, 35-point triple-double, 18/7/8 in 29 minutes, the Big Ten single-game assists record/second-most in the Her Hoops Stats era, 28-point triple-double with an overtime game-winner over the two-time reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 43 points, triple-double, and now 46 points. Extend that back to the new year, and you add: 44 points and eight assists in 30 minutes, 30 points on the two-time reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 31/12/8, and 24/9/8.

Since New Year’s, Clark leads the country in points, assists, points in the paint, usage, attempts from both the field and the line, and nearly leads the country in defensive rebounds. She’s also in the 98th percentile in true-shooting and in the 93rd in blocks and ranks third overall in fouls drawn (all per CBB Analytics). This is genuinely unprecedented stuff. This is Kelsey Plum with skip passes, pulling up from the logo; this is Point Delle Donne in the Power 5; this is Odyssey Sims with size. 

Well, there actually is precedent here: Steph Curry.

Special Caitlin Clark Flash Sale!

In honor of the Iowa guard’s 46-point performance, we’re offering a discount rate of $46 for a year of The Next, a discount of more than 36 percent off our usual annual rate. Deal only available until tip of Iowa’s next game Wednesday night.

W Roundup

Free agency

• Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Thank God almighty. So visit our offseason trackers page to see all the free agent moves that didn’t happen yesterday — in neat, colorful fashion!

(All times in Eastern)

Watch List, Monday, Feb. 7

Must-watch

None

Good games

#12 Georgia Tech @ #3 N.C. State, 6 p.m., ESPN2

#15 LSU @ RV* Ole Miss, 7 p.m., SEC Network

Also watchable

None

Sickos games

None

Pac-12 or Big 10 on national television (or national streaming)

Rutgers @ #23 Ohio State, 6 p.m., BTN

Sunday, Feb. 6 recap

#2 Stanford: 83-57 win over USC. Held the Trojans scoreless for seven straight minutes from the mid-second through the early third quarters. Shot 43.7% from the field and 38.5% from three while allowing 33.3% shooting and just 1-for-7 from deep; were a +14 in rebounding; forced 17 turnovers; committed 19 fouls. Center Cameron Brink led with a career-high 26 points on 10-for-18 from the field (1-5 3pt., easily a career-high in attempts) and 5-for-8 from the line and 14 rebounds (five offensive) for a double-double, plus three assists and three blocks against two turnovers in only 27 minutes; off-ball guard Hannah Jump finally returned to action, finishing with 12 points in 19 minutes off the bench on 4-for-8 from three (0-1 from two); big Fran Belibi had nine points on 3-for-8 FG, six rebounds, and six turnovers. Point wing Haley Jones remained out in COVID protocols.

TDB Cameron Brink Foul Watch: Two fouls in 27 minutes today; 4.9 fouls per 40 minutes (15th percentile, per Her Hoop Stats), 6.0% foul percentage (14th percentile) for the season.

#4 Louisville: 100-64 win over Syracuse, the Cardinals’ first triple-digit scoring since their blowout over DePaul in Autumn of last season, per Her Hoop Stats. Shot 53.2% from the field; out-rebounded the Orange by 29(!), including 23 offensive boards; six players reached double-digit scoring. Backup center Liz Dixon led with 18 points on a perfect 8-for-8 and seven rebounds (three offensive) against two turnovers in 16 minutes; wing Kianna Smith had 16 points on 6-for-13 from the field and 4-for-6 from three, six rebounds (three offensive), and six assists without a turnover in 23 minutes; reserve off-ball guard Ahlana Smith scored 13 points on 6-for-11 FG (0-2 3pt.) with three offensive rebounds and no turnovers; big wing Emily Engstler notched 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting (0-3 3pt., 3-6 FT) and 10 rebounds for a double-double, plus six assists, three steals, and four blocks against three turnovers and four fouls in 24 minutes; combo guards Chelsie Hall and Hailey Van Lith combined for 21 points on 8-for-21 shooting (Hall 1-2 3pt., Van Lith 0-5 3pt.), six rebounds, and six assists.

TDB Emily Engstler Foul Watch: Four fouls in 24 minutes today; 61 total fouls (second percentile, per HHS), 4.4 fouls per 40 minutes (22th percentile), 5.5% foul percentage (20rd percentile) for the season.

#5 Indiana: 64-57 win over Purdue. Were tied in the mid-second quarter. The teams combined to shoot 38.5% from the field; forced 18 turnovers and 20 fouls, while committing just seven fouls. Combo guard Nicole Cardaño-Hillary led with 19 points on 8-for-16 shooting (1-1 3pt.), seven rebounds (three offensive), and two steals against seven turnovers without sitting; point guard Grace Berger had 17 points on 5-for-14 from the field (0-1 3pt.) and 7-for-8 from the line, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals against two turnovers; big Aleksa Gulbe tallied 11 points on 4-for-13 FG (1-2 3pt.), six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks; big wing Chloe Moore-McNeil notched her first career double-double with career-highs in both points and rebounds — 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting (2-4 3pt.) and 10 rebounds.

#6 Michigan, #21 Iowa: The Wolverines beat the Hawkeyes in a battle for first-place in the Big Ten, securing their first-even eight-game conference winning streak and a two-game lead atop the standings (counting their tiebreakers). Michigan shot 53.1% from the field to Iowa’s 43.3%, the Wolverines were a +17 in rebounding; the teams combined for 48 fouls. Each team was missing key starters — Michigan wing Leigha Brown was sporting a walking boot, while Iowa wing McKenna Warnock won’t be evaluated for a wrist injury until late this week and off-ball guard Gabbie Marshall dressed but didn’t play, per Hawkeye Report’s Kyle Huesmann.

The Wolverines were led by big Naz Hillmon’s 26-point, 10-rebound double-double on 9-for-15 from the field and 8-for-10 from the line with seven offensive boards, plus two assists and two blocks against three turnovers; freshman wing Laila Phelia had her best game yet, scoring a career-high 24 points on 9-for-16 from the field (0-2 3pt.) and 6-for-8 from the line with four rebounds and three assists against three fouls in 27 minutes while playing great defense, until, well… we’ll get to that; off-ball guard Maddie Nolan tallied 17 points on 4-for-6 from three (1-1 from two), five rebounds, and two assists; center Emily Kiser fouled-out in 30 minutes, finishing with 10 points on 4-for-8 FG (1-2 3pt.) and seven rebounds.

Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark scored only eight points in the first half — mostly thanks to Phelia’s aforementioned defense — then went fully ballistic in the second, scoring 38 (thirty-eight!) second-half points to finish with a career-high 46 on 14-for-29 from the field, 6-for-13 from three — including multiple 30-plus-foot eary-clock pull-up bombs — and 12-for-14 from the line, with 10 assists for a double-double, plus four rebounds and three steals against four turnovers while playing all 40; center Monika Czinano fouled-out in 27 minutes, finishing with 13 points on 5-for-8 FG; off-ball guard Kate Martin had 11 points on 3-for-11 shooting (1-5 3pt., 4-6 FT), six rebounds, and three blocks — after shooting 35.4% from three on 2.6 attempts last year, the junior is hitting just 30.2% from deep on 2.0 this season.

#7 Tennessee, #10 UConn: The Huskies housed the Vols 75-56, behind a 21-1 run across most of the third quarter. UConn shot 44.8% from the field and 46.2% from three while holding Tennessee to 28.8% and 20.0% respectively; the teams combined for 41 fouls. Combo guard Azzi Fudd led the Huskies with a career-high 25 points on 9-for-16 from the field and 7-for-9 from three, four rebounds, and four assists without a turnover; big Aaliyah Edwards had 14 points on 5-for-6 FG (1-1 3pt., second three of her career), seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks against three turnovers; wing Evina Westbrook notched 14 points on 4-for-11 from the field (1-5 3pt.) and 5-for-6 from the line, four rebounds, and three assists against two turnovers in 24 minutes off the bench; combo guard Christyn Williams struggled to six points on 2-for-11 shooting (1-7 3pt.), plus three turnovers and four fouls in 29 minutes; point guard Nika Mühl committed four fouls in 30 minutes.

The Vols were led by point wing Jordan Horston’s 26 points on 8-for-19 from the field (0-1 3pt.) and 10-for-11 from the line, eight rebounds, and three assists against seven turnovers and four fouls in 34 minutes; wing Rae Burrell came off the bench and finished with 11 points on 3-for-10 shooting (1-3 3pt.) and two turnovers; center Tamari Key was limited to 28 minutes with four fouls, finishing with eight points on 2-for-3 FG; combo forward Alexus Dye only played 14 minutes for some reason; Dye, point guard Jordan Walker, and off-ball guard Tess Darby — starting in place of Burrell — combined for one (1!) point on 0-for-16 shooting (Walker and Darby 0-7 3pt.).

#8 Arizona: 73-61 win over Oregon State. Closed on an 11-1 run. Shot 3.6% worse overall, but had 21 more attempts thanks to a +13 turnover margin — including just three turnovers committed, fifth-fewest in a Power 5 game in the HHS era. Big Cate Reese led with 19 points on 6-for-18 from the field (1-4 3pt.) and 6-for-8 from the line, eight rebounds, and two steals while playing all 40; big Koi Love had 16 points on 7-for-10 FG (1-1 3pt.) and three rebounds in 29 bench minutes; wing Sam Thomas notched 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting (1-4 3pt.), four rebounds, and two steals without a turnover.

#9 Baylor, #13 Texas: The Bears beat the Longhorns 63-55, extending their winning streak in the “rivalry” to 13 — including two in the past three days. The teams combined to shoot 37.7% from the field and 29.6% from three, but Baylor shot 89.5% from the line while Texas was 59.1%; the Bears were +8 in rebounding; the Longhorns committed 22 fouls. Big NaLyssa Smith led Baylor with a 28-point, 13-rebound double-double on 11-for-18 from the field (0-1 3pt.) and 6-for-6 from line against two turnovers and four fouls in 35 minutes; off-ball guard Ja’Mee Asberry had 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting (3-5 3pt.), four rebounds, and two steals; center Queen Egbo played only 24 minutes with four fouls. Texas was led by wing Joanne Allen-Taylor’s 18 points on 8-for-10 FG (2-2 3pt.) and four rebounds without a turnover while playing all 40; off-ball guard Aliyah Matharu committed four fouls in 25 minutes, finishing with 10 points on 3-for-13 from the field (1-7 3pt.); center Aaliyah Moore played only nine minutes with four fouls.

Which brings us to:

TDB Aaliyah Moore Foul Watch: Four fouls in nine minutes today; 8.9% foul percentage (first percentile, per HHS) for the season.

The composite^{^} No. 6 freshman in the country should probably stop fouling… everyone. She sits just outside the top-100 in single-season foul rate for a P5 player in the HHS era.

#14 Georgia, RV Florida: The Gators did it again, beating the Bulldogs 54-51 behind a 16-9 fourth quarter — a game in which Georgia was favored by 12.5 (on HHS).The teams combined to shoot 33.6% from the field and 17.4% from three; Florida was a +9 in rebounding margin; Georgia notched 12 steals, part of 20 Gator turnovers. Combo forward Jordan Merrit led Florida with 11 points on 5-for-11 from the field (1-4 3pt.), nine rebounds, and two steals; point guard Kiara Smith had 10 points on 3-for-12 shooting (0-1 3pt.), eight rebounds, and two assists against seven turnovers; combo guard Zippy Broughton finished with 11 points on 5-for-8 FG (1-2 2pt.), three rebounds, three assists, and two steals against seven turnovers; combo guard Nina Rickards tallied 10 points on 3-for-9 shooting, nine rebounds, and two steals against nine turnovers.

The Bulldogs were led by backup center Malury Mates’ 13 points on 6-for-10 FG, three rebounds, and two blocks without a turnover; point guard Que Morrison had 12 points on 5-for-18 from the field and 1-for-7 from three, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals against six turnovers.

#17 Maryland, RV Nebraska: The Terps beat the Huskers 80-65. The teams combined to shoot 38.6% from the field and 36.2% from three; Maryland was a +10 in rebounding, including 20 offensive boards; the Terps notched 12 steals, part of 19 Husker turnovers. Combo forward Chloe Bibby led Maryland with 23 points on 7-for-18 from the field, 3-for-8 from three, and 6-for-7 from the line, four rebounds, and two assists without a turnover; big Angel Reese notched a 15-point, 16-rebound double-double on 6-for-14 FG (3-7 FT) and 10 rebounds, plus four assists and two steals against five turnovers, while limited to 26 minutes with four fouls; combo guard Shyanne Sellers committed four fouls in 26 minutes, finishing with 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting (1-3 3pt.), five rebounds, two assists, and three turnovers; backup big Mimi Collins tallied 11 points on 4-for-12 FG (1-3 3pt.), nine rebounds (three offensive), and two assists without a turnover; point guard Ashley Owusu was out with a short-term ankle injury.

Nebraska was led by combo guard Ashley Scoggin’s 20 points on 6-for-11 from three (0-2 from two), three assists, and four steals; combo forward Isabella Bourne had 11 points on 5-for-9 FG
(1-1 3pt.), four rebounds (three offensive), and two steals against four turnovers; combo guard Jaz Shelley went 0-for-10 from the field and 0-for-5 from three.

#19 Oregon: 55-49 loss to Arizona State, a 14-point-swing upset, per HHS. The teams combined to shoot 31.9% from the field and 26.3% from three; the Ducks committed 15 turnovers and 18 fouls. Point guard Endyia Rogers led with 18 points on 7-for-13 from the field and 3-for-6 from three, four rebounds, and five turnovers; backup center Sedona Prince fouled-out in 26 minutes, finishing with 13 points on 5-for-9 FG and six rebounds (three offensive); big Nyara Sabally had six points on 3-for-12 shooting, 10 rebounds (four offensive), and four turnovers; point guard Te-Hina Paopao struggled to four points, shooting 2-for-13 from the field and 0-for-6 from three, adding six rebounds (three offensive), five assists, and two steals against two turnovers.

#20 Notre Dame: 70-65 loss to Florida State. Lost the third quarter 22-9. Trailed by as many as 18 in the fourth quarter before pulling within two multiple times in the closing minutes. Allowed 51.0% from the field and 46.2% from three to FSU; committed 17 fouls. Center Maya Dodson led with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double on 5-for-9 FG (5-7 FT) with six offensive boards, three assists, and four steals against two turnovers and four fouls in 33 minutes; point guard Olivia Miles had 17 points on 6-for-13 from the field (2-4 3pt.), four rebounds, and four assists against four turnovers; wing Sonia Citron notched 15 points on 5-for-11 shooting (1-3 3pt.), three assists, and two turnovers without sitting; big wing Maddy Westbeld tallied 12 points on 5-for-9 FG (2-2 3pt.), six rebounds, and two assists; combo guard Dara Mabrey went scoreless on 0-for-8 from the field and 0-for-5 from three.

#24 North Carolina: 85-38 win over Miami. Won the first quarter 28-2 (twenty-eight-to-two). Shot 21.7% better from the field and 15.0% better from three than the Hurricanes; out-rebounded Miami by 29; forced 18 turnovers and drew 24 fouls. Combo guard Deja Kelly led with 18 points on 6-for-15 from the field and 4-for-9 from three, five rebounds, and five assists against three turnovers; wing Kennedy Todd-Williams had 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting (2-5 3pt.), five rebounds, and no turnovers; big Anya Poole had 10 points on 4-for-6 FG and seven rebounds against four turnovers in 17 minutes; big wing Alyssa Ustby notched a double-double with 11 points on 5-for-6 from the field (1-1 3pt.) and 10 rebounds, plus two assists and two blocks against three turnovers.

RV Duke: 81-76 win over Wake Forest. The teams combined to shoot 47.5% from the field and 52.9% from three; the Blue Devils were a +8 in rebounding; drew 22 fouls. Combo forward Lexi Gordon led with 23 points on 9-for-11 from the field and 4-for-6 from three, five rebounds, and no turnovers; point guard Shayeann Day-Wilson had 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting (3-5 3pt., 5-6 FT), five rebounds, and two assists; combo guard Celeste Taylor continued to struggle in her second game back from injury, finishing with eight points on 2-for-10 FG (0-1 3pt.) and four rebounds. The Demon Deacons were led by combo guard Jewel Spear’s 27 points on 11-for-23 shooting (1-5 3pt.), three rebounds, and five assists.

RV Virginia Tech: 85-62 win over Boston College. Shot 46.2% overall; out-rebounded the Eagles by 10; drew 29 fouls. Center Elizabeth Kitley led with a 27-point, 15-rebound double-double on 8-for-13 from the field and 11-for-12 from the line against four turnovers; point guard Georgia Amoore had 14 points on 5-for-13 shooting (3-7 3pt.) and four assists; combo guard Aisha Sheppard scored 12 points on 2-for-6 from three (1-3 from two) against three turnovers; off-ball guard Cayla King fouled out in 28 minutes, finishing with eight points on 1-for-6 from three (1-1 from two) and four steals.

RV DePaul: 88-67 win over Providence. Won the first quarter 36-11. Shot 45.3% from the field and 45.2% from three; forced 17 turnovers. Big Aneesah Morrow led with her 17th-straight double-double, with 15 points on 7-for-17 FG (1-2 3pt.) and 14 rebounds (five offensive), three assists, two steals, and two blocks in 28 minutes; off-ball guard Deja Church scored 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting (2-4 3pt.); wing Darrione Rogers had 18 points on 6-for-14 from the field and 4-for-8 from three, eight rebounds, and no turnovers.

Temple: 60-59 win over East Carolina. Point guard Aniya Gourdine recorded the program’s first-ever triple-double with 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting (1-4 3pt.), 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, plus two steals against eight turnovers.

Cancellations

Absolutely none.

Rejoice! COVID is over. (It’s not, please don’t think it is.)

*Receiving Votes

^Composite rankings are drawn from an aggregation of ESPN, Blue Star, Prep Girls, ASGR, and Prospects Nation