College Basketball

Caitlin Clark appears to shout ‘shut the f–k up’ in intense March Madness moment

Star Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark was fired up during the Hawkeyes’ messy 64-54 win over West Virginia in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Monday night.

The all-time NCAA scoring leader appeared to yell “shut the f–k up” while looking out at the home crowd in Iowa City, as seen in a video on social media.

ESPN cameras captured Clark and her teammates riled up on the court after what appeared to be a foul call on the Mountaineers during the March Madness clash.

Caitlin Clark was fired up in a messy win over West Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament on March 25, 2024. X
Caitlin Clark was fired up in a messy win over West Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament on March 25, 2024. X

However, some suggested that Clark seemed to encourage the crowd at a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena to “get the f–k up.”

Clark, who has been open about her on-court emotions and competitive nature, did not address the moment after the game.

Monday’s incident came after Clark was visibly frustrated with herself and her teammates during Saturday’s 91-65 win against the Holy Cross Crusaders, where she was also seen chirping at the referees.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives past West Virginia guard JJ Quinerly (11) in the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. AP
Caitlin Clark celebrates during the final seconds of Iowa’s second-round NCAA Tournament win over West Virginia on March 25, 2024. Zach Boyden-Holmes / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

“I would say I probably could have smiled a little more tonight,” she said after the game, during which her father, Brent Clark, was seen yelling at her to “stop” complaining to the officials.

Clark finished Monday’s contest with 32 points, including 11 from the free-throw line, to help the Hawkeyes advance to the Sweet 16.

The 22-year-old broke the single-season NCAA Division I scoring record of 1,109 points — which was previously held by Kelsey Plum — with free throws in the fourth quarter to bring her total to 1,113.

Clark’s expletive-filled moment wasn’t the only NSFW incident during the tournament.

Stanford’s All-American forward, Cameron Brink, appeared to yell “f–k you” in the direction of an official after she fouled out in Sunday’s second-round win against Iowa State.

The No. 2-seeded Stanford beat No. 7 Iowa State, 87-81, in overtime to advance to the Sweet 16 and will face NC State on Friday.

The Hawkeyes will face No. 5 Colorado in Saturday’s Sweet 16 in Albany after the Buffaloes beat No. 4 Kansas State in the Round of 32. 

Iowa could have a rematch Monday against LSU if the reigning national champions beat No. 2 UCLA on Saturday.