Molly Qerim thinks Caitlin Clark is ‘lucky’ to face injury-riddled UConn
Molly Qerim turned some heads Thursday when the ESPN “First Take” hostꩲ brought a hot take to the program.
Qerim, a graduate of UConn, questioned whether the hype around Caitlin Clark would be as much as it has been if Huskies star Paige Bueckers hadn’t dealt with so many injuries.
And she added that Iowa was “lucky” that UConn is dealin♌g with so many injuries headed into Friday’s Final Four matchup.
The comment drew the ire of Stephen A. Smith, who isn’t one to miss an opportunity to give a hot take or two on the ESPN show🐠.
“All I gotta say is she’s lucky this UConn team i🦄sn’t healthy, and that’s a true statement,” Qerim said in a clip of the show that made its way around X.
As the discussion continued, the proud UConn alumna took another shot at her alma mater’s upcoming opponent.&ꦇnbsp;
“If Paige Bueckers didn’t basically mis🌞s two seasons, I don’t know if we’d be talking about Caitlin Clark the way we are right now. That’s facts, Stephen A.,” she said.
It’s hard to argue that Bueckers’ injury issues have impaꦦcted her, but she has turned right back 💫into a star this season, and she has been one of the central figures of the NCAA Tournament this year.
UConn has dealt with a few ♎injuries this season, including season-ending ones to Azzi Fudd and Aubrꦦey Griffin.
But Clark’s historic🌟 2ꦫ023-24 season and run in the NCAA Tournament h𓆉as helped elevate wom🧸en’s basketball to heights never seen before.
Qerim’s take wasn’t very well received on social media, and , “This🐭 is someꦍ generational hating right here. Shame on Molly.”
The showdown between UConn and Iowa will take pla𝕴ce on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, with the winner advancing to the national title game to face the winner of the South Carolina-NC State battle.
