Good to see there's no hard feelings between Joe and Iowa.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Joe Toussaint knows what the Iowa basketball team is getting into Thursday in its NCAA tournament opener.
The former Hawkeye point guard, in his first season with West Virginia, scored nine points against Auburn in the Mountaineers’ 80-77 victory the Tigers in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge in late January.
“They’re a gritty team, very gritty, athletic. Very good defensively," Toussaint said Wednesday before West Virginia took the court at Legacy Arena to prepare for its opener against Maryland. “Their bigs are really good. Their guards are crafty. They’re a really tough team. They’re really going to defend you."
Toussaint said he speaks with his former Hawkeye teammates on a regular basis, talking to Patrick McCaffery on Tuesday about being at the same tournament site.
Earlier in the week, he shared his scouting report on Auburn with Connor McCaffery, who reciprocated by telling Toussaint about the Maryland team West Virginia will face.
“I’m still tight with all the guys, talk to a lot of them every week," Toussaint said. “Those are my guys. There’s no bad blood between me and Iowa or anybody in that state. I love those guys. They’re still my brothers. Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye."
Connor McCaffery said while they did talk a little shop about their opponents, the conversation did drift a bit.
“Just like usual," he said.
While he still talks to his former teammates regularly and has watched as many Iowa games as he can, Toussaint said his move to West Virginia has been beneficial.
“The change of scenery, it’s been good for me," Toussaint said. "It’s given me a fresh start."
He has started just one of the 33 games West Virginia has played during its 19-14 season, averaging 9.5 points and 21 minutes per game while ranking second on the team with 80 assists.
Toussaint averaged 4.4 points last season with Iowa. When he left the Hawkeyes, he chose West Virginia for the opportunity to learn from coach Bob Huggins.
“He’s a Hall of Fame coach. You can’t turn that down, and it’s only six hours from home," the New York City native said. “My family came to nearly every game."
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Joe Toussaint knows what the Iowa basketball team is getting into Thursday in its NCAA tournament opener.
The former Hawkeye point guard, in his first season with West Virginia, scored nine points against Auburn in the Mountaineers’ 80-77 victory the Tigers in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge in late January.
“They’re a gritty team, very gritty, athletic. Very good defensively," Toussaint said Wednesday before West Virginia took the court at Legacy Arena to prepare for its opener against Maryland. “Their bigs are really good. Their guards are crafty. They’re a really tough team. They’re really going to defend you."
Toussaint said he speaks with his former Hawkeye teammates on a regular basis, talking to Patrick McCaffery on Tuesday about being at the same tournament site.
Earlier in the week, he shared his scouting report on Auburn with Connor McCaffery, who reciprocated by telling Toussaint about the Maryland team West Virginia will face.
“I’m still tight with all the guys, talk to a lot of them every week," Toussaint said. “Those are my guys. There’s no bad blood between me and Iowa or anybody in that state. I love those guys. They’re still my brothers. Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye."
Connor McCaffery said while they did talk a little shop about their opponents, the conversation did drift a bit.
“Just like usual," he said.
While he still talks to his former teammates regularly and has watched as many Iowa games as he can, Toussaint said his move to West Virginia has been beneficial.
“The change of scenery, it’s been good for me," Toussaint said. "It’s given me a fresh start."
He has started just one of the 33 games West Virginia has played during its 19-14 season, averaging 9.5 points and 21 minutes per game while ranking second on the team with 80 assists.
Toussaint averaged 4.4 points last season with Iowa. When he left the Hawkeyes, he chose West Virginia for the opportunity to learn from coach Bob Huggins.
“He’s a Hall of Fame coach. You can’t turn that down, and it’s only six hours from home," the New York City native said. “My family came to nearly every game."
