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21 A new look and feel to Carver-Hawkeye Arena is not the only thing Hawkeye fans will notice this winter. e University of Iowa men's basketball team will replace four starters from a team that won 22 games, finished third in the Big Ten, and won an NCAA Tournament game. Iowa's lone returning starter is senior Peter Jok, who a season ago was second on the team in scoring (16.1 points per game) and steals (1.3 steals per game), and first in 3-point shooting (80-199, .402). UI head coach Fran McCaffery is eager to watch Jok lead the Hawkeyes in 2016-17. "ere is no question he can lead this team and that he wants to lead this team," said McCaffery, who enters his seventh season at Iowa. "He loves that we have so many talented young players that are here to learn. He's looking forward to that challenge." e young players McCaffery references include 11 underclassmen (four sophomores and seven freshmen). Despite the youth, McCaffery loves the team's talent, chemistry, and outlook. "e team chemistry is as good as I have seen and we have had good teams in regards to chemistry," McCaffery said. "is team likes and respects each other." Along with Jok, McCaffery has flexibility in the backcourt with Christian Williams, Isaiah Moss, Brady Ellingson, Jordan Bohannon, and Maishe Dailey. Of those five players, two have game experience with Williams playing in 20 games last season as a freshman and Ellingson appearing in 34 games the last two seasons. McCaffery says Williams looks like a different person than a year ago and has taken positive steps in helping replace four-year starter Mike Gesell. "Physically, (Christian) looks better through all the liing the past year and he is playing with more confidence," said McCaffery. "By the end of last season he was performing at a high level and I believe you will see that continue." e Hawkeyes have a number of versatile weapons in the front court: Nicholas Baer, Tyler Cook, Dale Jones, Ryan Kriener, Cordell Pemsl, Dom Uhl, and Ahmad Wagner. Having a number of players who can play multiple positions is a characteristic that McCaffery says will make this team fun to coach. "We can go big or small, and we are long," said McCaffery. "We are also more powerful than we were last year. All those guys are mobile and have basketball instincts; they can make basketball plays." McCaffery has been pleased with the progression of upperclassmen Baer, Jones, and Uhl. Jones has shown diligence through the recovery process aer suffering a season-ending knee injury last December, and McCaffery feels the forward is in the best shape of his life. Uhl continues to improve his skillset and confidence, while Baer is getting stronger and will continue to get better as a result. "When you watch (Dom) play, you're going to see a completely different confidence level," McCaffery said. "He goes off the dribble as well as anybody his size. As a result of the added strength, he's finishing plays around the basket with contact, dunking the ball in traffic, and he continues to shoot the ball well from the perimeter. "Nicholas was so good last year that he still has three years to improve his body, which will make him that much more effective. He has the ability to impact a game in many different ways." One of the newcomers, Cook (6-foot-9, 253 pounds), has already made an impression on the coaching staff. McCaffery believes the St. Louis native will have an immediate impact in the Big Ten. "We have never had anybody like Tyler Cook," McCaffery said. "He's a special talent. He comes physically ready and usually it takes a while for you to get stronger and understand the physicality, but he will be good right away." Iowa has finished in the upper division of the Big Ten in each of the past four seasons. e Hawkeyes will play 31 regular season games, including 18 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which will feature a new playing floor, sound system, lighting, and Jumbotron. "We have some of the greatest fans in college basketball and these improvements will only make Carver-Hawkeye Arena better, especially for the players and fans," said McCaffery. "I'm thankful to UI director of athletics Gary Barta and all those who helped make it possible."