“This is special.” That’s how Caitlin Clark described her Senior Day last year at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The memories of that event are still vivid– a sold-out crowd, a show-stopping performance, and tender family embraces. Fast forward a year, and while Clark wasn’t in the building, her influence was still felt on the home court. 

Clark spent four unforgettable seasons at Iowa, from 2020-21 to 2023-24, cementing herself as one of the greatest players in women’s college basketball history. She led the nation in both scoring and assists three times and holds the NCAA women’s record for career scoring average at 28.4 points per game. Her impact on the game was undeniable, and her time in Iowa City changed the Hawkeyes forever.

As the Hawkeyes returned for their next Senior Day against Wisconsin, Clark’s family was in attendance, proudly watching the next generation of athletes take center stage. With their daughter now a WNBA star, Brent and Anne Clark weren’t missing the chance to celebrate the program that helped shape her career. David Eickholt of 247Sports confirmed on X, writing, “Caitlin Clark’s parents made their way over to Carver-Hawkeye Arena today for Iowa’s Senior Day.” 

This marks the end of Iowa’s first regular season without Clark since she arrived on campus in 2020. The Hawkeyes have spent this entire campaign adjusting to life without their superstar, and standout guard Lucy Olsen has played a key role in that transition. While no one can truly replace Clark, Olsen’s emergence has helped Iowa stay competitive as they navigate a new era.

While her parents stayed true to their Iowa roots, Clark is locked in on season No. 2 with the Indiana Fever. She’ll soon return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, not as a Hawkeye, but as a pro. Her team’s preseason matchup against Brazil has already sold out, packing 15,000 fans into the arena for her homecoming. “We couldn’t be more excited to play at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and we know Iowa fans will deliver an unforgettable homecoming for Caitlin,” Fever executive Kelly Krauskopf said.

As Clark prepares to dazzle her hometown crowd in a Fever jersey, the Hawkeyes are also forging their next chapter. Stepping into the spotlight Clark once commanded is no small feat, but Lucy Olsen is writing her own story in Iowa City, ensuring the Hawkeyes’ heartbeat stays strong. Proving that while legends leave, their foundation remains.

Building on Caitlin Clark’s Legacy: Lucy Olsen, the Hawkeyes’ Next Chapter

After transferring from Villanova, Olsen quickly became Iowa’s top scorer and playmaker. She also embraced the leadership role, both on the court and in the locker room. That’s not an easy task, especially when stepping into a program still carrying the weight of Clark’s legacy.

Clark and Olsen never played together, but Olsen has been open about her admiration for the Hawkeye legend. Head coach Jan Jensen made it clear, too. Jensen praised Olsen for having the courage to step into a program shaped by Clark. “She came in through the shadows of Caitlin Clark, and when she came here, she really liked what that culture felt like,” Jan expressed. Despite the pressure, Olsen didn’t back down. She embraced it, found her confidence, and made the program her own. Also, Jensen knows what Olsen has brought to the team. She further said, “[Olsen is] just a beautiful woman, inside and out. She’s a great player but an even better person.”

That balance—respecting Clark’s legacy while building a new identity—is something Iowa has had to navigate all season. And it’s not just Olsen. The team’s other four seniors—Addison O’Grady, Kylie Feuerbach, AJ Ediger, and Sydney Affolter—have all played key roles in maintaining the culture Clark helped shape. They’ve had to step up, adjust, and lead in their own ways.

As Iowa heads into the tournament, they’re peaking at the right time. They’ve won eight of their last ten games, with close losses to top teams Ohio State and UCLA. But the important thing is momentum. Olsen summed it up best: “Play your best in March.” That’s been the mindset. The season had its rough patches, especially in January’s five-game skid. But they figured it out. Now, they’re rolling into the postseason with confidence.