In what can only be described as a seismic shock to the world of women’s college basketball, this year’s NCAA Final Four saw a staggering 71% drop in viewership compared to 2023 — a loss of over 10 million viewers.

The glaring difference? No Caitlin Clark. And with that absence came a tidal wave of online reactions, disappointed executives, and yes, rising heat directed toward stars like Paige Bueckers, who now finds herself under an intense and arguably unfair spotlight.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s talk cold, hard facts:

2023 Final Four (Clark vs. UConn): 14.2 million viewers

2024 Final Four (UConn vs. UCLA): 4.1 million viewers

That’s a loss of 10.1 million — a drop so sharp it’s left ESPN execs probably reaching for the antacids. But this isn’t just about television ratings; it’s about cultural pull. When Clark played, the world tuned in. Without her? The world moved on.

Paige Bueckers: The Unwanted Center of Attention?

Now, let’s be clear — Paige Bueckers is a phenomenal talent. She’s the heart of UConn basketball, a former national player of the year, and a certified baller. But when millions turned their backs on this year’s Final Four without Caitlin Clark on the court, the unspoken message seemed to be: Paige isn’t enough to carry the show. That’s a brutal, and arguably misguided, reality.

Social media lit up with criticism — not necessarily of Bueckers’ performance, but of her drawing power. Comparisons were inevitable, and they weren’t kind:

“Clark vs. Bueckers? It’s not close.”

“Paige is a star. Clark is a phenomenon.”

“Without Clark, it’s just another game.”

The rage? It wasn’t because Paige did anything wrong. It’s because people expected her to replace Clark’s magnetic presence. That’s not just unfair — it’s unrealistic.

The Caitlin Clark Effect: Bigger Than Basketball

Clark isn’t just a player; she’s a movement. Her logo-range threes, no-look passes, swagger, and sheer intensity tapped into something deep in sports fans — the same way Magic and Bird did in the ‘80s, and Jordan in the ‘90s. Her games became events, transcending women’s basketball and bleeding into pop culture.

She wasn’t just popular — she redefined the ceiling of women’s college basketball viewership. Her Elite 8 game this year drew 10 million. Her Final Four battle with Bueckers? 14 million. That’s more than many men’s Final Fours. She didn’t move the needle; she was the needle.

Are Fans Only Here for Clark?

One viral comment said it all:

“The cult of Caitlin doesn’t love women’s basketball. They love Caitlin.”

And that’s not entirely wrong. Many fans showed up only for her. But here’s the twist — even with a 71% drop, this year’s viewership was still miles ahead of the pre-Clark era. Women’s basketball has leveled up, and she’s the reason why.

That 4.1 million for UConn-UCLA? A few years ago, that would’ve been historic. Now it’s viewed as a disappointment — because Clark changed the game’s standards.

What About Paige?

Paige Bueckers still has the chance to become the face of women’s basketball — or at least one of them. She’s got game, charisma, a powerhouse program behind her, and now, with Clark moving on to the WNBA, she might just have the spotlight all to herself. But make no mistake — the bar has been raised dramatically.

Bueckers doesn’t have Clark’s transcendent reach — yet. But that doesn’t mean she can’t develop it. The women’s game doesn’t need one superstar. It needs several. It needs rivalries. Storylines. Personalities. Villains. Heroes. Clark was all of that. Now it’s up to players like Bueckers, JuJu Watkins, and Angel Reese to build on that momentum.

So, Where Do We Go From Here?

The NCAA and networks like ESPN now face a challenge — and an opportunity. Clark gave women’s basketball a once-in-a-generation boost. The goal now? Sustain it.

Yes, casual fans dipped the moment Clark exited the spotlight. But the game is still bigger now than it’s ever been. Merchandise sales have exploded. Social media engagement is through the roof. TV deals are looking better than ever. And while the post-Clark world feels a bit emptier, it’s far from hopeless.

Final Thoughts: From Rage to Realization

The rage toward Paige Bueckers is misplaced. The disappointment in the ratings is understandable. But here’s the truth:

Caitlin Clark changed everything.

Paige Bueckers didn’t fail — she just isn’t Caitlin Clark.

And women’s basketball is better off than it was before Clark ever stepped on an NCAA court.

Now the question becomes: Who’s next?

Who’s the next icon who will captivate the world, who can carry the torch from where Caitlin left it? That journey has already begun — and we’ll be watching. Maybe not 14 million strong just yet, but the game has officially leveled up.