Nothing but respect between LSU forward Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark ahead of Elite Eight matchup

This evening, women’s college basketball fans will bare witness to an incredible rematch of the 2023 national championship between the No. 3 Tigers of Baton Rouge (31-5) and the No. 1 Hawkeyes of Iowa City (32-4). While one of the top storylines of the past few days has been the battle between LSU forward Angel Reese and Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, the star players made it clear that there’s nothing but respect between the two.

Hatred isn’t a thing between LSU forward Angel Reese and Iowa guard Caitlin Clark

Allow me to preface this by saying that trash talk and trying to get in your opponent’s head is simply a part of sports. We see it from high school swim and dive all the way up to the NFL and everywhere in between.

With that, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when it shows up on the basketball court between two of the best teams in the country. However, even so, when fans witnessed a battle of the century between LSU forward Angel Reese and Iowa guard Caitlin Clark during last season’s national championship, the competitiveness rubbed some the wrong way.

In turn, many found themselves confusing on-court competitiveness with simple hatred. Still, as we look ahead to this evening’s rematch between the two elite-level programs, the star players themselves wanted to make sure they set things straight heading into the game.

“I have somebody to go back and forth with. A lot of times some players don’t say anything back, so it’s no fun.” – Angel Reese.

Her thoughts, along with Caitlin Clark and Lisa Bluder on a match-up that features two of the best trash talkers in the women’s game. pic.twitter.com/rJ9kB5zBSx

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) March 31, 2024

When asked about her relationship with the talented Iowa senior guard, Reese took some time to explain what trash talk means to her, particularly when it comes against another elite player on the basketball court.

“I don’t think people realize it’s not personal,” the star senior forward said while speaking with the media on Sunday. “Once we get out of between those lines – if I see you walking down the street, it’s, ‘Hey girl, what’s up? Let’s hang out.’ I think people just take it as we hate each other. Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other. I want everybody to understand that. It’s just a super competitive game, and I just wish people would realize once I get between those lines, it’s no friends.”

Nothing but respect and high-level competition

Notably, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark echoed a similar sentiment not long after, explaining that it all just has to do with competitiveness, but doesn’t change the respect they have for each other.

“Me and Angel (Reese) have always been great competitors. Obviously, she played in the Big Ten for a while to begin her career, and that’s what makes women’s basketball so fun, is you have great competition and that’s what we’ve had all year long.

Familiar foes 🍿

Iowa and LSU will face off in the Elite Eight 👀 pic.twitter.com/r8Odg9QGEz

— ESPN (@espn) March 30, 2024

“I think Angel would say the same, it’s not just us in women’s basketball,” Clark said regarding the sport of women’s college basketball as a whole. “That’s not the only competitive thing about where our game is at and that’s what makes it so good. We need multiple people to be really good. And I think both of our careers, whether she decides to stay or to go, we’ll have great careers in the WNBA, and that’s been both of our dreams all along, so I think we’re both excited for that as well.”

Interestingly enough, this evening’s matchup marks the fifth time the two players will meet on the hardwood, and with both working towards an eventual career in the WNBA, it’s unlikely to be the last. Furthermore, in the four times the pair have met up, Angel Reese has never lost to Iowa, having beaten the Hawkeyes three times while a part of the Maryland program and once last season with LSU.

Regardless of what the eventual outcome turns out to be, there’s little doubt that this evening’s matchup has the potential to be an all-time classic. Last season, LSU women’s basketball vs. Iowa put up record numbers from a viewership standpoint. This year, it’s a battle for a trip to the Final Four and there’s little doubt both teams will be giving everything they have to keep on dancing.

You’ll be able to watch the game live on ESPN this evening starting at 6:00 p.m. CST, which will then be followed up by a battle between No. 3 UConn (32-5) and No. 1 USC (29-5).

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