Bruce Pearl forgets Caitlin Clark’s name during TNT broadcast originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bruce Pearl had an awkward moment on live television Sunday while previewing the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament championship on TNT.
Advertisement
During the network’s pregame studio coverage of the matchup between Iowa and UCLA, the former Auburn coach and current analyst attempted to discuss how the Hawkeyes program has changed following the departure of its biggest star. Pearl stumbled through multiple names tied to Iowa’s program.
“Iowa women’s basketball. No superstar Caitlin Smith,” Pearl said on air, apparently referring to former Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark. He then went on to butcher another program great. “No Hall of Fame coaches. C. Vivian Stringer … No Lisa Blunder.”
Pearl’s comments quickly drew attention online as he misidentified Clark and also misspoke while referencing longtime Iowa coach Lisa Bluder.
Clark, one of the most recognizable figures in women’s basketball, starred at Iowa from 2020–24 and helped bring unprecedented attention to the program and the sport. She now plays for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, where she earned Rookie of the Year honors.
Advertisement
Bluder coached the Hawkeyes for 24 seasons before stepping down in 2024. She was replaced by longtime assistant Jan Jensen.
Pearl eventually corrected himself and referenced Jensen later in the segment. But social media had a field day.
More: Calls mount for TNT to fire Bruce Pearl before NCAA Tournament
The game itself proved far less competitive. Top-seeded UCLA dominated No. 2 Iowa, rolling to a 96-45 victory to capture the Big Ten tournament championship.
Even if “Caitlin Smith” existed in the basketball world, she likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome Sunday.
