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West Virginia coach sets tone for NCAA first-round matchup
West Virginia women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg made headlines with his remarks on Selection Sunday, aiming to energize his team’s supporters. However, Kellogg’s choice of words might have caused more stir than intended.
Following the announcement that his team, the No. 8 seed Mountaineers, will take on Princeton in the NCAA women’s tournament early round games at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Kellogg stirred the pot by suggesting, “Let’s win one and then send Caitlin Clark packing.”
This statement came amidst ongoing chatter about Clark, the standout player for the No. 1-seeded Hawkeyes. Kellogg’s comments drew some online backlash from Iowa fans, prompting him to address the situation in a press conference.
Avoiding Misinterpretation
Kellogg clarified, “I’m not a [trash-talker]. I wasn’t out to get Caitlin Clark. It’s not Mark Kellogg versus Caitlin Clark.” He emphasized the need for his team to focus on their immediate matchup against Princeton before considering strategies to contain Clark if Iowa advances.
Reflecting on his initial remarks, Kellogg explained, “With our seed is honestly where it started. That wasn’t really the seed maybe that some people in the room were expecting, not even from me necessarily. So it turned into, ‘Okay, well, let’s get past that. Now let’s talk about Princeton.’ Then, of course, everybody in the room knows Caitlin Clark.”
A Lighter Note
Meanwhile, Holy Cross coach Maureen Magarity shared a light-hearted anecdote about her daughters’ admiration for Clark, highlighting the widespread appeal of the star player. Magarity humorously mentioned her children assisting in scouting efforts due to their avid following of Clark’s performances.
In response to the attention and discussions surrounding her, Clark remained unfazed by Kellogg’s comments. The senior guard, leading Division I in scoring, assists, and 3-pointers, expressed readiness for the challenges ahead in her final NCAA tournament.
Positive Outlook
Looking ahead to the tough competition in the region, Clark acknowledged the talent pool but exuded confidence in her team’s abilities. Reflecting on past experiences, including reaching the 2023 Final Four and facing setbacks, Clark stressed the importance of resilience and preparation.
She emphasized the competitive nature of the tournament, noting, “There’s no reason for us to shy away from anything; we can hang with every single team in the country. But also, there’s a lot of really good teams in the country that can beat us, and you better come ready to play every single night.”
Clark’s perspective resonates with the team’s shared understanding of the challenges ahead and the necessity to approach each game with determination and focus.
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