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hands on a little bit of everything, I think that's a
good game."
McCaffery said fans are going to see an improved
version of Baer in 2017-18.
"Last year when he was coming off the bench,
he was going to come in and not make any mis-
takes, and he was going to energize the team,"
said McCaffery. "He could do it with his scoring,
rebounding, passing, and tenacity.
"is year you're going to see a different Nicholas
Baer. You'll see someone that is more aggressive
offensively; he has shot the ball well from 3 the
last two years, but I think he's shooting it better
now. He's also attacking the rim more and making
more plays off the dribble.
"I think he'll be that much more impressive."
Baer's junior season got off to a late start as he
missed Iowa's first six games with a broken pinky
finger. In 10 games, he is averaging five points
and 5.8 rebounds and he has 15 assists, 15 steals,
and nine blocks.
Baer is still an energy player, providing the Hawk-
eyes with a spark.
"ere is a great deal of value in being a high-
energy player and understanding what role I can
play on a team and how that energy impacts a
game and season," he said. "In a game, you can
feel it and it isn't exclusive to me.
"When Ahmad (Wagner) or Tyler (Cook) makes
an energy play or gets a big offensive rebound,
they ignite the crowd and our team as well.
Whenever we can make energy defensive plays or
small hustle plays, it can provide a spark for our
team and the crowd."
ose are Baer-type plays. e ones where Baer
proves his value.
