IOWA HAWKEYES BASKETBALL PREVIEW

IOWA HAWKEYES 2012 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Troy Derengowski, Richmond’s Sports Page

There is no doubt the Iowa Hawkeyes are very happy with the progress of the men’s basketball program since Fran McCaffery was hired in 2010.   It took only two seasons for McCaffery to turn the program into a winner (the first time since the 2006-07 season), win a Big Ten Tournament game (the first since 2006) and win a game in the post season (NIT).   The folks in Iowa City are happy as well!   The fans are coming back to see the Hawkeyes (attendance is up 20% since 2010).   And it appears McCaffery is here to stay with a new 7 year contract extension.   The next challenge for the Hawkeyes will be an NCAA tournament appearance.   The program has been to the big dance only three times since Tom Davis resigned in 1999. 

McCaffery will have plenty of talent left but he must replace All-Big Ten guard Matt Gatens, who led the Hawkeyes in scoring (15.2ppg) and was the teams’ top defender.   The good news for Iowa is the return of 6-8 forward Aaron White who made the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and 6-6 shooting guard Roy Devyn Marble.   White averaged 11.1 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per outing.  Marble averaged 11.5 ppg and shot 39% from three point range.

Junior forward 6-7 Zach McCabe had a good sophomore season, starting in 30 games, scoring in double figures 10 times and finished third on the team in rebounding at 4.6 ppg.    6-8 forward Melsahn Basabe had an off sophomore season after averaging 11 ppg and 6.8 rpg as a freshman.  Basabe’s return to his freshman form will give the Hawkeyes more depth on the frontline.   The key freshman will be 7-1 center Adam Woodbury.  Woodbury is one of the top high profile recruits for the Hawkeyes in several years and will be a factor right away.

Marble will be the replacement for Gatens as the go to guy in Iowa City.  Marble can post up and can knock down the mid-range jumper.  He can become a better three point shooter.  6-5 guard Eric May is perhaps the most athletic player on the team but is inconsistent in his shooting.   Incoming freshman Mike Gesell, the two- time Gatorade Nebraska player of the year and top 100 recruit, will be the starter at point guard.   Anthony Clemons is another option for the Hawkeyes at the point.  Sophomore Josh Oglesby will get more minutes if he becomes a more consistent shooter.