Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1046648
17 A er missing the postseason for the first time in seven seasons, the University of Iowa men's basketball team is determined to return. Fran McCaffery, who enters his ninth season as head coach, was impressed with the focus and drive of the players during offseason training. "We are a lot stronger and look good physically," said McCaffery. "e defensive effort and intensity was there on a consistent basis." e Hawkeyes, who return all five starters, will play eight of 11 nonconference games at home and will play a 20-game league schedule for the first time in Big Ten history. McCaffery believes this season's team has more perimeter shooters, stronger leadership, and will be better defensively. Junior Tyler Cook led the squad in scoring and rebounding a year ago, averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds, to earn honorable mention all- conference accolades. Jordan Bohannon led the Hawkeyes in assists (178) and 3-pointers (96), and was second in scoring (13.5). McCaffery expects Cook to be a first-team All-Big Ten performer, while he continues to see consistency in Bohannon. Aer a sluggish junior season, McCaffery expects senior Nicholas Baer to return doing what he does best — stuff the stat sheet. In 2017, Baer was the only player in Division I to amass 250 points, 45 steals, 45 3-pointers, and 40 blocked shots — a season where he was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. One of Iowa's weaknesses a year ago was backcourt depth. is season, along with Bohannon, the Hawkeyes have experienced off-guards in Isaiah Moss and Maishe Dailey, and they welcome freshmen Joe Wieskamp and CJ Fredrick, to go along with the return of redshirt freshman Connor McCaffery. Moss ranked fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game, and earned the team's Most Improved Player Award last season. Dailey averaged single-season bests in every major statistical category as a sophomore. McCaffery saw limited time in four nonconference contests before being sidelined the remainder of the season because of illness. "When Isaiah plays with supreme confidence he is a special player," said McCaffery. "He is shooting the basketball well and has the ability to be a good defender. We want Maishe to look for his shot more. He is also establishing himself defensively. Understanding that ball movement is going to be critical to our success, Connor has the ability to be a pass-first player on a team that has a lot of scorers." Luka Garza returns alongside Cook to anchor the frontcourt aer an impressive freshman campaign. Garza ranked third on the team in scoring (12.1) and second in rebounding (6.4). e native of Washington, D.C., became only the second Iowa freshman to score at least 400 points with 200 rebounds. In addition to Cook, Baer, and Garza, McCaffery can call upon Ryan Kriener, Jack Nunge, and Cordell Pemsl for experience in the post. Kriener, Nunge, and Pemsl combined to average 14.1 points and 8.7 rebounds off the bench in 2018. Overall, McCaffery is pleased with the team's depth and health heading into the 2019 season. "We view ourselves as a veteran group," said McCaffery. "We have a good inside-outside game with five guys who can post up and score, while every one of our guards can make 3's." NOVEMBER SCHEDULE Nov. 4 Guilford College (Exh.) Nov. 8 UMKC Nov. 11 Green Bay Nov. 15 vs. Oregon * Nov. 16 vs. Syracuse/Connecticut * Nov. 21 Alabama State Nov. 27 Pittsburgh Nov. 30 Wisconsin * 2K Classic in New York City