Molly Qerim, the respected host of ESPN’s “First Take” stirred up some controversy recently with her take on the upcoming Final Four matchup. As a well-known UConn graduate, Qerim was quick to question the buzz around Caitlin Clark and the circumstances that have led to her rise in the spotlight.
“All I gotta say is she’s lucky this UConn team isn’t healthy… if Paige Bueckers didn’t basically miss two seasons, I don’t know if we’d be talking about Caitlin Clark the way we are right now.” – Molly Qerim
Qerim’s comment sparked a heated response from Stephen A. Smith, a fellow ESPN show host known for his own hot takes. However, Qerim held her ground, reaffirming her statement.
Molly Qerim on Caitlin Clark: "All I gotta say is she's lucky this UConn team isn't healthy… if Paige Bueckers didn't basically miss two seasons, I don't know if we'd be talking about Caitlin Clark the way we are right now."
Stephen A. Smith: "I said that the other day."… pic.twitter.com/440w2rejyB
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 4, 2024
Clark has made headlines with her historic 2023-24 season, contributing significantly to the popularity of women’s basketball. Her performance in the NCAA Tournament has been nothing short of stellar.
On the other side, Paige Bueckers’ journey has been marred by injuries. Despite this, she has bounced back commendably, becoming one of the key players in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
UConn has had its share of injuries this season. Key players like Azzi Fudd and Aubrey Griffin have had to end their seasons prematurely due to injuries.
Qerim’s take was met with mixed reviews on social media. Some users accused her of being biased, while others appreciated her for speaking her mind.
The faceoff between UConn and Iowa is scheduled for Friday night at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. The winner will advance to the national title game to face the victor of the South Carolina-NC State clash.
