So, what the heck. Here's my Iowa Hawkeye Outlook and how we get to the 11-7 that I'm hoping for:
Point Guard: I've been shouting praises for Christian Williams for a solid year and a half now. Roy Marble as a Junior got the chance to step into the starting point guard spot when Mike Gesell was injured at Nebraska. And dang it but if Marble didn't lead us through a great run. While Gesell was missing four games and then came back at much less than 100%, Marble lead us to an 8-3 record. The only games we lost were at then #1 Indiana, Ted Valentine's crooked Big Ten Tournament game with #8 Michigan State by 3 points, and in the Final of the NIT to Baylor. (We finished 29th according to Kenpom, Baylor 28th)
So what's that say about a 6'6" shooting guard turning into a combo guard and by the way Devyn had 112 assists to 80 turnovers so he was still in the middle of learning the point. The next year as a senior it was 118-57. Now, I'd wager Marble, until Gesell was hurt, had less practice at point than Christian Williams has already had. And, those four games Gesell missed? In a row Marble went assists to turnovers 1-1, 4-4, 6-1, 5-1, getting better fast.
I've seen nothing in Williams game that makes me think he can't play the point. And in fact his ball handling, passing (6'6 3/4's you will see over people), and the potential defense from that nearly 7' wingspan. I think we're going to have a good one. And he was a scorer in high school and can jump! And may I remind what both Gesell and Clemmons said about Williams, "Don't sleep on him". And. I didn't exactly see McCaffery scouring the earth for a point guard in the 2016 class. Maybe because...
...Backup (imo) Bohannon comes in as prepared as a freshman can be to play point. It's a family thing. And we've got plenty of guys who could step in and bring the ball up.
And I would remind. McCaffery himself commented last May (or so) that we don't plan to use a point guard by having him set up every play. We run motion and that means several guys move around and all pass the ball. This is part of "Positionless Basketball" and maybe we aren't yet used to it, or just haven't considered that maybe the reason Mike Gesell didn't look like Yogi Ferrell is we don't want one guy dribbling around, and then a whole team adjusting to set up another scheme with the same guy at the top.
I think, when all is said and done, this year, after we temporarily suffer some problems with turnovers and stalled offenses, that we will be very happy at the end of the year with our point guards.
Wings: We know we've got Jok and he is a preseason All-B1G 1st team guy. Then we simply have to find the best wing to start alongside him. We've no shortage. Ellingson, Dailey, Moss, Baer, Jones. I KNOW we can find a good one as Baer is already that But I wonder if we find out that we're deep and I think I see some deadly shooters from outside to keep guys off of Jok.
As to busting up defenses with drives? Moss has the skill and so does Williams. Sure we could use more for the triple threat of drive, dish or shoot to be most effective. But if your passes and your shooting are solid, the drives get easier. I'll bet a dime to a dollar that if he doesn't having nagging injuries (my fear with Jok) Peter will make many guys pay for guarding him too close.
So, we're deep, have athletes and promising ones at that. The question still remains how much we put it together and how fast. But! Who is really brand new? Dailey. Everyone else on the wings has been around at least a year.
Power Forward/Center? Who hasn't shown a willingness to step out and hit the three? We know Uhl will shoot. And Wagner, suddenly this summer, showed some skill from outside and that went FAR beyond just surprising me. He could end up developing into a 6'7" muscular wing worthy of the NBA. I just don't know where his ceiling is. Cook? Fran told him when he recruited him he was going to get coached up into a complete Power Forward and that includes a game from the outside. Pemsl, Kriener, each comes with some ability, or good ability, to stretch the floor. As far as posting up or penetrating? I'd give Wagner and Cook the green light to take the ball to the rim anytime they want. They are fearless. I'm hoping the same comes true for Uhl, hopefully he can take the contact this season. Kriener and Pemsl seem like more natural back to the basket guys. But what a mix, and we only need to find two to start and at least one to come off the bench.
I REALLY like the talent of this team. And where we are new is at spots we can afford to be. Our weaknesses will all be from inexperience, some I've mentioned:
Turnovers, stalled offense, missed assignments on defense, foul troubles.
I don't think defense is going to be that bad. And I think our strengths will be the ball handling at five spots. Passing at five spots (keeping fingers crossed for Jok, big part of how he gets in the NBA draft) And those two reasons are why I think our points end up pretty good, they will have help. Getting help from all five spots matters. Other strengths; rebounding, especially offensive, and lot's and lot's of made three's.
Let's get to that NCAA Tournament...because by then this team is going to be scary.
And, watch out for free throw percentages....we need to keep 'em high.
