Social media reacts as Caitlin Clark, Iowa make national statement in win over Virginia Tech

In a matchup of Final Four participants from last season, it was the No. 3 Iowa Hawkeyes that emerged with a key early-season, resume-building victory over No. 5 Virginia Tech in the Ally Tipoff from Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.

It reaffirmed what everyone knew coming in: Hawkeye senior guard Caitlin Clark is the nation’s clear best player and Iowa is a legitimate player to cut down the nets and win a national championship come next spring in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

The West Des Moines superstar authored up another one of her virtuoso performances, scoring 44 points in the made-for-TV showdown. It’s the ninth time that Clark has eclipsed the 40-point plateau in her career.

She also knocked down five 3-pointers and finished with eight rebounds and six assists.

Sophomore Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke showed more signs that she’s ready to step into the full-time limelight as well, finishing with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Her connection with Clark is only getting better with each passing outing.

Graduate student guard Kate Martin was the only other Hawkeye in double-figure scoring, adding 10 points.

Back from an ACL injury that cost her last season, redshirt junior guard Kylie Feuerbach gave Iowa some key minutes as well. The 6-foot native of Sycamore, Ill., knocked down a key second-half 3-pointer and finished with eight points.

Naturally, social media was buzzing after the Hawkeyes’ massive top-10 triumph over Virginia Tech.

All eyes on IowaAlways inspiringAnd The Show begins

Caitlin Clark show starting now. LETS GO HAWKS

— I Love Iowa Basketball (@ILoveIowaBball) November 10, 2023

Hello, Reverse GrinchThat didn’t take longIn case you didn’t know

Best passer in the game: Caitlin Clark

— Hawkeye Nation (@hawkeyenation) November 10, 2023

Caitlin Clark to Hannah Stuelke connection draws praise

The Caitlin Clark – Hannah Stuelke connection is even better than I thought it would be this year

— I Love Iowa Basketball (@ILoveIowaBball) November 10, 2023

Clark to Stuelke is going to be absolutely lethal

— Black Heart Gold Pain (@BHGP) November 10, 2023

Virginia Tech is helping SO much on Clark when she’s on the perimeter.

Hannah Stuelke is practically running a layup drill out there.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 10, 2023

This Caitlin and Hannah pick and roll combo may be unstoppable

— Blake Hornstein (@BlakeHornTV) November 10, 2023

Caitlin Clark stars in the new Super Mario Bros.!You’ve got to be kidding me, Georgia AmooreThe crowd loves Kate Martin

I love Kate Martin. Freaking competitor.

— Irrational Hawkeye (@IrrationalHawk2) November 10, 2023

But, the refs don’t

Terrible second foul call on Martin.

— Tom Kakert (@HawkeyeReport) November 10, 2023

I’m not sure how that’s an offensive foul on Kate Martin. That’s called getting to the hoop.

— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) November 10, 2023

Tad surprised they didn’t review that for a flop. Didn’t think there was a ton of contact there.

Referees aren’t letting a lot of things go tonight on either end.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 10, 2023

Not a banner broadcast moment for ESPN2

The only thing struggling more than this sound quality is the officiating

— Black Heart Gold Pain (@BHGP) November 10, 2023

Is everyone else’s sound cutting out?

— Irrational Hawkeye (@IrrationalHawk2) November 10, 2023

Anyone else having audio issues or just me

— austin (Austin’s Version) (@AustinJRoberts) November 10, 2023

Caitlin Clark pulled the Dirk fade!The nation’s best

Caitlin Clark reminding everyone on the floor and watching that she’s the best player in the country.

8 straight points.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 10, 2023

Icy at the break, but Iowa leads

Iowa is positively arctic from deep. Good look after good look, nothing going down.

— Adam Jacobi (@adam_jacobi) November 10, 2023

A friendly fire review??

So– now we are reviewing for friendly fire?

Kitley got smoked and I hope she comes back into the game ASAP, but why are we wasting so much time reviewing this?

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 10, 2023

Are they reviewing for the first ever flagrant foul on a teammate here or what

— Black Heart Gold Pain (@BHGP) November 10, 2023

A life-changing sports experience

I am not being dramatic at all (like I’m being so serious) watching Caitlin Clark play in person is a life-changing event and if she is playing in your city please go see her

— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) November 10, 2023

Step back splashCharlotte logo work!

Caitlin Clark.

That’s it.

That’s the tweet.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 10, 2023

Making memoriesRatio this man!

I’ve never seen someone so helped out by refs as Clark is tonight.

— Adam Boitnott (@Boitnott) November 10, 2023

Yes

Caitlin Clark is the best player in the country

— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) November 10, 2023

Ton of great players in college basketball– but there’s no argument for anybody better than Caitlin.

Generational talent.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 10, 2023

Just incredible

Does CC’s passing now equal her shooting? Amazing

— JeffreyTheGreek (@JeffreyTheGreek) November 10, 2023

The quality of this game, though!

To quote Jon Rothstein…

Grab your nitroglycerin pills

— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) November 10, 2023

OK, Kylie Feuerbach! Welcome back!

Oh my goodness Kylie Feuerbach HEATING UP.

She nails a three-pointer. Timeout Hokies. 53-43.

— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) November 10, 2023

Our girl Kylie Feuerbach just needed to get her feet wet first half, now she’s diving in baby!

— Morgsss✨ (@Morgsss21) November 10, 2023

i’ve been pushing the Kylie Feuerbach agenda ur all late

— ^🐤🌹 (@hawkeyemuse) November 10, 2023

Love from D Wade!

I’m drinking some Wade Rose Wine and watching women’s college hoops! Caitlin Clark is simply good at basketball! That’s all…

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 10, 2023

And it’s true

She’s just so much better than everybody else lol

— Connor McCaffery (@connor_m30) November 10, 2023

Clark stuff

Caitlin Clark now has 5 career games with 40 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, including 3 against AP Top-10 opponents.

Since her career began, the rest of Division I has 3 such games, period. pic.twitter.com/dPOhQhe7Vw

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 10, 2023

It’s electricNo doubtAre the Hawkeyes headed for No. 1?

If Iowa beats UNI on Sunday, Lisa Bluder’s #Hawkeyes could be ranked No. 1 entering next week.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 10, 2023

Siri, play that song!Onto the next!Hats off, Coach Bluder

Feel like Lisa Bluder won this game from the bench. Outcoached and outsubbed the Hokies. Had a great plan. Managed it. Kept rotations fluid. Even when foul trouble threw it off, went back to what she knows can work. Curious about O’Grady, but Lisa schooled them tonight. #Hawkeyes

— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) November 10, 2023

Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire