Lisa Bluder answers question from ‘great budding journalist’ Caitlin Clark at Big Ten Basketball Media Days

MINNEAPOLIS — After a question about Iowa’s high preseason rankings and before a question about the unselfishness of Iowa’s role players, the Big Ten Media Days moderator took a question from a “great budding journalist in the back” of the news conference area.

Lisa Bluder, in her 23rd year as Iowa women’s basketball head coach, quickly smiled as she recognized the “reporter.”

Well, this person technically was not a reporter, but she presumably had no issues getting into the Target Center for the news conference.

“Caitlin Clark, University of Iowa,” Bluder’s star guard said. “Actually I play point guard for you.”

The laughter aside, Clark had a thoughtful question for her coach and mentor.

“What makes this team unique?” Clark asked. “What makes you so excited about this team?”

Of course, Clark added some praise of Bluder at the end of her question.

“Obviously, you’re one of the best coaches of all time,” Clark said. “You’re the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time), so you’ve coached a lot of great teams, but what about this team gets you so excited?”

Bluder’s answer was tied to what Clark had just done.

“I love going to work every day because of this, right?” Bluder said. “I love this team. These are incredible women that I would want my children to be around. Every day is something new with these guys."

On Tuesday, that meant getting a question at a media day from one of her own players. Bluder, 61, said being around the team “keeps you young.”

“So thanks, Miss Clark,” Bluder said with a smile.

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