Caitlin Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes and their fans had a blast Monday night as they rolled over LSU in the Elite 8, but arguably no one in the arena had more fun than ESPN play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco.
Clark had yet another huge game in the Hawkeyes’ 94-87 win, with 41 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. Ruocco had to dig deep into his bag of tricks to find superlatives for all his calls on the Iowa superstar.
Luckily, he has a huge bag of tricks.
Ruocco could not contain his enthusiasm as Clark pulled off her magic. For example, when Clark buried a long-range 3-pointer to open the second half, Ruocco exclaimed. “Clark… Oh my! From Schenectady!”
"Clark… OH MY! FROM SCHENECTADY!!!!" – @RyanRuocco pic.twitter.com/G0uvEHcHoi
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2024
A couple of minutes later, Clark pulled up from even further out and nailed another 3.
“Clark!!!!!!!” Ruocco called.
“CLAAAAAARK!” – @RyanRuocco pic.twitter.com/FrC2xqZqlm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2024
A few minutes later, Clark again connected from behind the arc (her nine 3-pointers tied an NCAA Tournament record).
“Clark steps back, fires…YOU BET!” Ruocco said.
“Clark steps back, fires…YOU BET!” – @RyanRuocco 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pBinknnUOK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2024
Ruocco, like Clark, poured it on late. With about five minutes remaining in the game, Clark hit another 3.
“Here’s Clark, pulls up, another deep one — IT’S GOOD!!!!!” Ruocco called. “She’s simply ridiculous.”
"She's simply ridiculous." – @RyanRuocco summing up Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/mwcuumHJf4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2024
Ruocco finished out strong as Iowa celebrated its win.
“THE HAWKEYES ARE HEADED BACK TO THE FINAL FOUR,” Ruocco exclaimed. “GALACTIC GREATNESS FROM CAITLIN CLARK ON DISPLAY YET AGAIN.”
"THIS TIME, IT'S IOWA!"
"GALACTIC GREATNESS FROM CAITLIN CLARK ON DISPLAY YET AGAIN." – @RyanRuocco pic.twitter.com/qU28DH3HcS
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2024
Fans enjoyed Ruocco’s calls. Those fans in upstate New York especially appreciated the shout out to Schenectady.
Biggest Schenectady news in 10 years. Also, well done on the pronunciation! https://t.co/3u5GXpH6et
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) April 2, 2024
Rensselaer would have made more sense. It’s right across the river and that’s where the train station is. Schenectady is way too far away to shoot from. https://t.co/DtQDaBewoE
— Stephen Douglas (@Stephen_Douglas) April 2, 2024
She's legit the female Steph Curry. What a player!!! #NCAAWBB https://t.co/q077kMR7dS
— Brian Sendek (@b_sendek95) April 2, 2024
https://twitter.com/bhofheimer_espn/status/1774963120194154784
Games called by @RyanRuocco are always electric.
It’s science.
— Joey (@DJLeMVP) April 2, 2024
Chris Berman in his living room naming other upstate NY cities after every big Clark shot like he is announcing a Home Run Derby. https://t.co/CBHMSj1N6j
— the tortured sports fans department (@VT_Ben) April 2, 2024
[@awful announcing]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.