Caitlin Clark’s recent recognition as TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2024 has shone a brilliant spotlight on women’s basketball, boosting its visibility like never before. Yet, that same spotlight has cast a looming shadow over her NCAA successor, Paige Bueckers. As Clark’s dominance rewrites the narrative, comparisons with Bueckers have only intensified, amplifying the pressure on the UConn star in her final collegiate season. Can Bueckers emerge from Clark’s shadow, or will the comparisons continue to define her legacy?

The contrast between the two stars couldn’t be more pronounced. Bueckers, often hailed for her smooth playmaking and efficiency, is averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on an impressive 56.3% shooting. On the other hand, Clark’s staggering 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game in her senior year continues to overshadow her presence on the court, despite transitioning to the WNBA.

However, it’s not just the stat sheet that differentiates, Clark from Bueckers—it’s also the star power. Last Saturday’s viewership numbers revealed a widening gap between the two programs. The Louisville-UConn matchup drew 466,000 viewers on FOX, while Tennessee-Iowa, featuring Clark, pulled in 560,000 on the same network.

These numbers underscore what many fans have long argued: Paige may be a great player, but Clark is a phenomenon. And as the comparison heats up, social media is buzzing with reactions, fueling the debate even further.

The Clark effect: Why Paige Bueckers falls short

“Paige is a very ‘boring’ star. That’s why when people said she was Clark before Clark, it was never believable, Caitlin Clark has been must-see TV for three years, even in bad games.” said one X user.

UConn’s lopsided 85-52 victory over Louisville also played a role in the disparity, as noted by another X user who defended the comparisons by stating “UConn game was a blowout; that’s why viewership dropped.” Meanwhile, Iowa’s closer game against Washington State kept fans glued to their screens, with moments like Iowa native Jada Gyamfi hitting her first three-pointer of the year in front of a roaring crowd.

While Bueckers endures a challenging final season, UConn continues to dominate on the court. Yet the spotlight remains elsewhere. One user observed, “Post Caitlin Clark, Iowa is doing more viewership than Paige,” highlighting the undeniable pull Clark has over audiences. Another reinforced this sentiment, posting, “Iowa still the biggest TV draw I see.”

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Fans do acknowledge the situational differences between the games. “Later start and a blowout for UConn, Iowa was better time and it was a closer game,” noted an X user, adding nuance to the debate.

For Paige Bueckers, the challenge isn’t just keeping pace with Caitlin Clark’s numbers—it’s living up to the astronomical expectations of what it means to be the face of women’s college basketball. And as the debate rages on, the answer seems clearer with every passing game.