MINNEAPOLIS — A generation of kids grew up wanting to be like Michael, Magic or Bird.
Today, there’s no need to choose.
In Saturday’s Big Ten Tournament semifinal, the greatest scorer and shooter in the history of women’s basketball also showcased the greatest vision in the nation.
For much of Iowa’s 95-68 win over Michigan, Caitlin Clark served as lead choreographer, seemingly directing every move of the nine players surrounding her.
Passing lanes opened at will.
Driving lanes were cleared with force.
A 3-pointer taken steps inside half-court splashed with little suspense.
Coming off one of her worst showings of the season, Clark treated Target Center’s sellout crowd to a brilliant 28-point, 15-assist performance.
The No. 2 Hawkeyes (28-4) will try to claim their third straight conference tournament crown — also, likely, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament — in Sunday’s championship against No. 5 Nebraska (22-10).
The Midwestern rivals split a pair of regular season meetings, with Clark averaging 34.5 points, 8 assists, 9 rebounds and 3 steals.
Clark — who also had two steals and four rebounds — was aggressive from the tip, picking up an offensive foul 28 seconds into the game and driving to the rim on her first four touches.
Michigan (20-13) hit its first six 3-pointers to take an early 25-17 lead, but Clark — one of six women in Division I history with more than 1,000 career assists — quickly closed the gap with a series of jaw-dropping dimes that offered teammates uncontested looks and layups.
After missing her first 11 3-pointers in the quarterfinal, Clark hit her first shot from deep.
She then closed the half by drilling a shot one dribble past midcourt, giving the Hawkeyes a 51-42 lead at the break.
Clark accounted for 19 points and 11 assists.
After being held without another point until the final minute of the third quarter, Clark hit her first three shots in the fourth, before being pulled from the blowout with 7:18 remaining. Following her final 3-pointer, the senior screamed to the seats and demanded the crowd rise.
They obliged.