This is the last dance for seniors Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall.

A trio of guards that led the Hawkeyes to the top of the mountain will conclude their college basketball journey either with a national championship victory, or a crushing tournament defeat.

Regardless of the outcome, head coach Lisa Bluder and her players know that the potential of each game being their last should not be on the forefront of their minds.

“I’m just really fortunate and lucky knowing every time I take the court it could be my last,” Caitlin Clark said.

“I’m soaking that in and going out there and playing my heart out.”

“I expect our fans to travel really well if we can advance after our first two games on our home court.

More than anything I’m just excited, I’m just trying to soak in the moment and I know that ticket is going to be hard to come by.”

“I don’t think you ever want to think that way,” Bluder said.

“If you’re thinking, ‘If I don’t win this game, something bad’s going to happen’ — something bad’s going to happen.

I really believe in that power of thought and that you have to be confident and they have to have no fears.”

“That’s how we won that game against Nebraska. If when we were eight points down with two and a half minutes, we were worried about losing it, we would have lost that game.”

“One thing is that everyone on this team had been through that run last year,” Marshall said.

“We know what it takes to get there. And I think that will only help us in this run this year.”