Originally posted by The Sleeping Dog:
Uthoff has the all around offensive game to be a huge scorer next season. He needs to become more consistent but, if he does, his scoring will sky rocket.
Jok has the potential to also be an elite scorer, with improved consistency and smarter floor play.
Hawks are going to need one of the 5 7/8th newcomers to produce on the boards, on the boards and on defense. Its going to be interesting. On the other hand, Woodbury, Gesell and Uthoff are probably the biggest three recruits in one class since the 06 season. There is every reason to expect a lot of improvement from each of those three and Clemmons.
I think Utoff will be around 18ppg next year. I think he will be Iowa's go to guy in crunch situations and at 6-9 he is a tough guard for most teams. He has the overall game that is tough to stop. I think he will be very good next year for the hawks.
Jok I think will improve but will still be an inconsistent shooter. He can stroke it at times and will have big games, but also he will have some off nights. I think he will get to 12ppg next year. I think you will see some 20+pts night from him. He can get hot and light it up in a hurry.
The wild cards are Clemmons & Gessell. If they can reproduce what the did down the stretch, Iowa will be very tough. Gesell started to attack more and get into the lane, which is huge for the hawks. Clemmons started to take care of the ball and knock down some 3balls. If we can get 14-18ppg out of those two combined, that will be HUGE going forward for the hawks. Our guard play killed us at times this year, we need these two to step it up and play like Seniors should.
Woodie/Uhl/Ellingson/JUCO If these guys can hold their own and each average 5-7pts a game. That will be nice. I don't look for Woodie to dominate, that's not the player he is on offense. Defensively he can plug up the lane and he is going to have to stay out of foul trouble next year. Uhl has the ability to attack the rim and he knocked down a couple of 3's this year. IF he can become more consistent he could be a good one, very athletic. Ellingson have no idea on him, sounds like a shooter.
I look for Moss & Wagnar to come in and play right away. Moss has the complete game and is very confident in his shot. He is a 6-5 wing who can shoot it from 3 or he can attack the rim. he can handle the ball just fine and he played against some very good competition this year. He will be college ready when he steps on campus. Wagnar I Saw him in the state finals (only game live) and he looked pretty solid. He is 6-6, but plays like he is 6-8. He is a banger down low and goes after every rebound. He has the ability to handle the ball and attack from the wing is needed. Lead his State Championship team in scoring and rebounding. I think these two players will step in and play right away. If they both can average 5ppg game that is huge for the hawks. I seriously look for Moss to be more towards double digits, the kid can flat out play.
Flemming, Williams, and Hutton- These three will see some time as well. I think Flemming is ready as he has played basketball all over the US and played against some great competition. I like that he is able to knock down the 3ball and he plays on a team where passing the ball isn't required (some players just shoot it every time). So the fact that he is able to score 12-18pts a game on that team is pretty solid. He is efficient when he touches the ball.
I honestly don't know anything about Williams except that one writer in Chicago tabbed both him and moss at Top 10 in the state in 2015. That a big honor considering how many Div 1 players come out of Chicago area every year. Hutton sounds like a defensive stopper and hopefully can get in early with his defensive effort.
Sorry long post here, but I think the returning guys will all increase their production and I look for a couple of the freshman to step up. The problem with a young team off the bench is some nights they will look good and other nights they will look bad. Just have to weather the bad moments.
