When Caitlin Clark was in the NCAA, she got fans talking about her game. So it is not surprising that last season’s NCAA finale between the South Carolina and Iowa Hawkeyes averaged about 19 million viewers, 4.2 million more than men’s basketball, which is considered more relevant. But as Clark passed out of college, it was assumed that the Hawkeyes would find it difficult to attract fans. However, before this year’s season started, the Iowa-based team had already gotten encouragement from fans.

On Wednesday’s broadcast, the Iowa Hawkeyes star Hannah Stuelke gave her take on the Iowa Hawkeyes sold season tickets, which meant they weren’t here to perish in Clark’s absence. And the 21-year-old seemed to be taking a dig at the former NCAA Queen.

“It’s amazing. Iowa fans are loyal and they’ll always be there no matter what. No matter who’s there. Caitlin’s gone. We’ve already sold out again. So it wasn’t just about her, but they’re so loyal to us. And they always show up for us. So I think it’s just amazing. It’s like a family… a really really big family,” Stuelke stated.

In October end, the Hawkeyes announced that they had sold out all 15,000 season tickets for the second consecutive year. According to reports, the program announced it would sell all the tickets in August last year. This means that the Hawkeyes fans will keep an eye on Jan Jensen’s first year as the head coach, as implied in the video. And this has once again come after their Championship Finale appearance, much like last year. In reciprocation, the Hawkeyes fans get a good home slate.

However, this year, student tickets are still available, priced at $65 for 15 games. Fans can also buy single-game tickets priced from $5-$10. Last year’s ticket sales were anticipated since it was Clark’s probable (at that time) final run with Lisa Bluder & Co. But surprisingly, Jensen & Co. has maintained the same standards. Not only Iowa but even the LSU Tigers have maintained the hype.

After Iowa Hawkeyes, LSU Tigers too live up to the expectations

Whether Kim Mulkey & Co. have sold out season tickets or not isn’t known, but prior to their game against Eastern Kentucky in the season opener, the arena was completely sold out, as Mulkey herself revealed. This again showed that despite Angel Reese’s absence, the Lady Tigers maintained their standards from last year. This could also signal that women’s basketball is now at a new stage.

I’ve just heard today that we have now sold out the arena. And that’s just so good. It’s so good for our players and school and our program. It’s gonna be fun, I’ve got a lot of depth at the guard spot. And got just enough post to create a little havoc. And we’re still relevant and that’s what I came here to do,” Mulkey stated.

Meanwhile, LSU won the season opener against EKU by a 95-44 margin. Hence, fans will be expecting that even their rivals, the Hawkeyes, won’t disappoint them. Although Iowa emerged victorious in the game against Northern Illinois by a 91-73 margin, it remains to be seen how they perform in the long run.