In a display of her competitive spirit, Caitlin Clark, the star point guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has downplayed the significance of breaking the NCAA women's basketball career scoring record, highlighting her focus on the upcoming matchup against Michigan. With just eight points needed to surpass Kelsey Plum's record of 3,527 points, the historic moment is expected to unfold at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday night.

Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder initially planned to honor Clark's achievement with a timeout during the game. However, upon hearing Clark's thoughts on the matter, the coach changed her plans. Clark stated, "We can't be wasting timeouts on that, come on now," emphasizing her dedication to the team's success over personal accolades.

The anticipation is palpable for the 15,000-plus fans in attendance at the arena, as well as the millions of viewers tuning in to watch the game on TV. Clark, who leads the NCAA with an astounding average of 32.1 points per game, is poised to surpass Plum's record by a considerable margin.

While both Clark and Bluder were aware of the approaching milestone, they refrained from discussing it until Wednesday's practice. Bluder expressed her desire to highlight the significance of the achievement and celebrate it as a tremendous accomplishment for the university and the basketball program.

Apart from the record-breaking moment, Thursday's game holds significant importance for Iowa as they aim to secure a favorable seeding for the upcoming NCAA tournament. Following a heartbreaking loss to Nebraska on Sunday, the Hawkeyes are determined to bounce back and regain their winning form before facing tough opponents such as Ohio State and Indiana.

Despite the pressure surrounding the record-breaking attempt, Clark remains calm and focused. She stated, "I'm not anxious about it really at all. I'm just really excited. It's going to be a special night."

Once she surpasses Plum, Clark will still have other records to chase before her senior year concludes. Lynette Woodard, who holds the all-time Division I women's scoring record with 3,649 points, and Pete Maravich's men's record of 3,667 points will be within her sights. However, it should be noted that Woodard's record is not officially recognized by the NCAA as it was achieved in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

As Clark inches closer to basketball history, her pursuit of greatness serves as a testament to her skill, determination, and the support of her teammates. The Hawkeye faithful eagerly await the moment when Caitlin Clark etches her name in the annals of NCAA women's basketball as one of the all-time greats.