The LSU Tigers women’s basketball team defeated Iowa 102-85 to win their first-ever national championship title—but that’s not what the internet is up in arms about.
Chances are, you showed up Sunday afternoon to get your first taste of women’s college basketball this season. For most, it’s probably been longer than that. That’s not a diss; I’m just being honest—because other than their presence on social media (for a lot of the same things we’re going to talk about today) the national championship game was the first action I’ve watched when it comes to LSU women’s hoops this year.
LSU HAS ITS FIRST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🐯 pic.twitter.com/MDrvUO0OmU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2023
The championship game between the Hawkeyes and the Tigers was everything it was hyped up to be. Speaking of hype, Iowa star Caitlin Clark was landing just about every shot she would throw up beyond the 3-point arc and LSU’s Angel Reese attacked the boards and put up 15 points of her own. While Reese set the NCAA record for double-doubles and was ultimately crowned tournament MVP, it was a collective effort from the LSU women’s team that got them the national championship win.
But after the game, social media got into a heated debate over hand gestures that Reese made during the game as LSU was running away with the victory.
ANGEL REESE TO CAITLIN CLARK 😳 pic.twitter.com/2NY0CEzwJ3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2023
In addition to her “ring me” hand gesture, LSU star Angel Reese flashed Clark’s signature John Cena-inspired “You can’t see me” wave to the Iowa sharpshooter as time winded down.
ANGEL REESE HIT CAITLIN CLARK WITH THE “YOU CAN’T SEE ME” 👀 pic.twitter.com/Zj3mqIzkk9
— ESPN (@espn) April 2, 2023
Some felt like the move was “classless”–most notably, Barstool Sports head honcho Dave Portnoy who was busy rapid tweeting while doing mental acrobatics for hours in the face of backlash after publicly calling Reese a “classless piece of sh*t.”
He was quickly taken to task as the debate over the gesture (and trash talk in general) raged on.
Why weren’t you calling Caitlin Clark a “classless piece of shit” for doing the same thing? You don’t have to answer. We know why. https://t.co/nSpS9qbtz5 pic.twitter.com/CU7I8dJjal
— Dylan Park-Pettiford (@dyllyp) April 2, 2023
“But they did the same thing!”
-brain dead people #WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/Fn9XLrPtk6
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 3, 2023
While many agreed with Portnoy initially, their tune changed once they were made aware that Clark did this move all the time—most recently against Louisville.
How is it y’all never saw Caitlin Clark doing this too? Caitlin been trash talking the entire tournament.
— Kwame S. Nyaku (@LourdesDaddy) April 2, 2023
Many pointed out that in addition to the Cena wave, Clark was also recently celebrated for physically waving off a South Carolina player she didn’t respect enough to guard during the Final Four.
LOL I’m just gonna leave this right here… she didn’t taunt anyone? Oh. Okay. Cool story. She’s above reproach, good to know. https://t.co/yQsZjzGjyf
— Erin ❤️🤙 (@Erin_Hand_6_11) April 2, 2023
Then there were others who pointed out that some of the most passionate folks behind this debate had only shown up to college basketball just hours before the championship game was over.
I just want to know how all of these Caitlin Clark “fans” DIDN’T watch the Louisville game.
— Mark Pope Superfan 🕊️🕊️ (@RickyWiIIiams) April 2, 2023
Reese didn’t shy away from the issue in the slightest bit, giving an unapologetic response in her post-game presser.
“I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing. So this is for the girls that look like me.”
Angel Reese is unapologetically her 👏 @Reese10Angel pic.twitter.com/9cuCWwayhA
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 2, 2023
As a matter of fact, there were people who predicted this exact debate would take place before the firestorm erupted on social media.
Media LAUGHED at Caitlin Clark disrespectfully, and unnecessarily, waving off South Carolina guards on offense. Watch how they do Angel Reese for giving it back to Clark. Wait for it. #NCAAChampionship
— Paul (@16thLetter) April 2, 2023
And then, of course, there were the memes.
There were also many people who stood by their opinion that trash talk is a part of sports and people on the sidelines should leave it to the players to play and battle it out on the court, despite how we may feel they should behave.
