Clark, Iowa advance to Final Four; commentator takes swipe at Albany
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) brings the ball up court against Colorado during the fourth quarter of a Sweet Sixteen round college basketball game during the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo / Hans Pennink)
Iowa is heading back to the Final Four, after a win over LSU at MVP Arena Monday night. The Hawkeyes were led to the win behind 41 points from superstar Caitlin Clark. The game was a rematch of last year’s NCAA title game.
What was supposed to be a celebration for Albany, being at the center of the biggest sports story in the country Monday night was marred by a swipe at the city by ESPN color commentator Rebecca Lobo.
In the last minute of the game, Clark was cementing the game with free throws. The commentators were discussing Clark telling her family during their time in Albany to “leave her alone”, and go find something to do in the city.
Lobo chimed in with a shot at New York’s capital saying “Good luck finding something to do in Albany.”
The comment quickly sent the Capital Region into an uproar on social media. Both Discover Albany and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan commented to Lobo on X, formerly known as Twitter, listing off things to do in the city.
Lobo later walked back her comments, posting on X “I’ve spent many fun-filled weekends in the Albany area over the years coaching my kids’ AAU teams. No shade intended towards the capital city and the outstanding job they did hosting the regional.”