Bruce Pearl forgets Caitlin Clark’s name during TNT broadcast
· Yahoo Sports
Bruce Pearl forgets Caitlin Clark’s name during TNT broadcast originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
Bruce Pearl had an awkward moment on live television Sunday while previewing the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament championship on TNT.
During the network’s pregame studio coverage of the matchup between Iowa and UCLA, the former Auburn coach and current analyst attempted to discuss how the Hawkeyes program has changed following the departure of its biggest star. Pearl stumbled through multiple names tied to Iowa’s program.
“Iowa women’s basketball. No superstar Caitlin Smith,” Pearl said on air, apparently referring to former Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark. He then went on to butcher another program great. “No Hall of Fame coaches. C. Vivian Stringer … No Lisa Blunder.”
Pearl’s comments quickly drew attention online as he misidentified Clark and also misspoke while referencing longtime Iowa coach Lisa Bluder.
"Iowa women's basketball. No superstar Caitlin Smith. No Hall of Fame coaches. C. Vivian Stringer .... No Lisa Blunder." - Bruce Pearl on Caitlin Clark and Lisa Bluder pic.twitter.com/UkfXQR43rf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 8, 2026
Clark, one of the most recognizable figures in women’s basketball, starred at Iowa from 2020–24 and helped bring unprecedented attention to the program and the sport. She now plays for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, where she earned Rookie of the Year honors.
Bluder coached the Hawkeyes for 24 seasons before stepping down in 2024. She was replaced by longtime assistant Jan Jensen.
Pearl eventually corrected himself and referenced Jensen later in the segment. But social media had a field day.
More: Calls mount for TNT to fire Bruce Pearl before NCAA Tournament
The game itself proved far less competitive. Top-seeded UCLA dominated No. 2 Iowa, rolling to a 96-45 victory to capture the Big Ten tournament championship.
Even if “Caitlin Smith” existed in the basketball world, she likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome Sunday.
More college basketball news:
- Darryn Peterson situation not alarming to NBA teams, ESPN insider says
- AJ Dybantsa makes college basketball history never done by NBA stars
- John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
- Mike Krzyzewski fights against NCAA Tournament expansion
- Former NBA All-Star slams USC for dropping 'best player', five-star son next?