The True Sharp Edge of our Hawkeye Sword

[DanL53]

The twenty-seven returning Big Ten players who will be seniors during the 2015/16 season. I did not count walkons or former walkons except for Joey King. Listed by minutes played.

Caris LeVert, Mich: 35.8 mpg, .421 & .405, 4.9 reb, 14.9 ppg
Shavon Shields, Neb: 35.3 mpg, .440 & .195, 6.0 reb, 15.4 ppg
Yogi Ferrell, In: 34.9 mpg, .439 & .416, 166/65 AT, 16.3 ppg
Denzel Valentine, Mich St: 33.2 mpg, .443 & .416, 167/92 AT, 6.3 reb, 14.5 ppg
Tre Demps, North: 32.6 mpg, .421 & .357, 84/47 AT, 12.5 ppg
Spike Albrecht, Mich: 32.0 mpg, .404 & .365, 121/41 AT, 7.5 ppg
Rafael Davis, Purd: 31.3 mpg, .455 & .300, 4.4 reb, 10.7 ppg
Jared Uthoff, Ia: 30.3 mpg, .430 & .372, 6.4 reb, 12.4 ppg
Jake Layman, Mary: 30.1 mpg, .470 & .378, 5.8 reb, 12.5 ppg
Tracy Abrams, Il: (Medical Redshirt so 2013/14 stats used) 30.1 mpg. .333 & .270, 112/67 AT, 10.7 ppg
Alex Olah, North: 29.4 mpg, .486, 6.9 reb, 11.7 ppg
Joey King, Minn: 29.1 mpg, .464 & .410, 9.7 ppg
Benny Parker, Neb: 28.2 mpg, .342 & .293, 4.2 ppg
Brandon Taylor, Penn St: 26.9, .371 & .335, 5.3 reb, 9.1 ppg
Bryn Forbes, Mich: 26.2 mpg, .447 & .427, 8.5 ppg
Carlos Morris, Minn: 25.6 ppg, .452 & .364, 11.1 ppg
Mike Gesell, Ia: 25.5 mpg, .408 & .267, 135/61 AT, 7.4 ppg
Bishop Daniels, Rut: 24.8 mpg, .387 & .283, 8.4 ppg
A.J. Hammonds, Purd: 24.3 mpg, .540, 6.6 reb, 2.8 blocks, 11.9 ppg
Greg Lewis, Rut: 23.8 mpg, .472, 4.5 reb, 5.3 ppg
Adam Woodbury, Ia: 20.5 mpg, .489, 5.2 reb, 6.6 ppg
Matt Costello, Mich St: 20.4 ppg, .579, 5.2 reb, 7.0 ppg
Anthony Clemmons, Ia: 19.9 mpg, .381 & 373, 64/38 AT, 4.8 ppg
Nick Zeisloft, In: 19.6 mpg, .475 & .450, 6.6 ppg
Jordan Dickerson, Penn St: 17.1 mpg, .485, 3.3 reb, 2.6 ppg
Donovan Jack, Penn St: 13.1 mpg, .453, 2.7 reb, 3.5 ppg
Devin Foster, Penn St: 12.8 mpg, .576 & .400, 2.7 ppg

If we take Rutgers and Penn State out of the equation, of the twelve remaining Big Ten teams there are only twenty-one seniors left on twelve Big Ten teams that played last year, or in the case of Abrams the year before. Assuming as most prognosticators are guessing early that Nebraska and Minnesota won't be quite up to the rest, we're down to just seventeen for the ten most challenging Big Ten teams!

And we've got four of them. This is the biggest edge Iowa has going into 2015/16. An edge that could pay off in close games won, fewer mistakes on the court, anything where experience matters.

It is a sometimes boring little detail when getting excited over new players is always more intriguing. And I think it is kind of funny, but it is an obvious detail which is often overlooked.

This will be the last season for a few years where we have such an edge.

The very edge of the sword that we'll swing is as sharp as our four seniors will make it. It's going to be tough in a league where ten teams will reasonably pursue an NCAA invite. Considering what early glances at the nonconference schedule reveal as well? I think a good goal would be for our leaders to send us out with their fourth twenty win season in a row.

 

[LaoHawk]

No Dan, you got it all wrong. McCaffrey is a modern name change that Fran's great descendants made up to hide their true gift. Yes, Fran's real family name is McGyver and he has found his true calling at Iowa by recruiting interchangeable bodies to play his real system. His players are more like Swiss army knives, ready for any situation and opponents. IA's edge isn't about who's longer, wider, or sharper, it's about making effective use of the players who believe and have honed themselves for Fran to show how he will advance IA into a fun, exciting, and winning program that Hawk fans deserved. Enjoy the ride!

 

[iowalawhawk]

I can't decide whether we have a wealth of experience or a roster full of unknowns. Not sure if either side of that dichotomy prevails.

On one hand, we have four seniors (as you mentioned), all of whom have starting experience, and Jok, a junior who started essentially all of last year. We return 285 career starts, I guess is what I'm trying to say, and a ton of court time.

On the other hand, our only other expected rotation player with any real experience is Uhl, and he wasn't always ready for prime time last year. We add a ton of new guys, and will certainly rely on them a lot.

 

[hawkeyedude#1]

Dan. I really think you have too much time on your hands.

 

[yiana]

It's certainly a unique roster situation. We have our core, but we need 2-3 new guys or after thoughts from last years team to step in and play a role. I'm glad the young players will be mentored by such a strong group of seniors. This team will have the best leadership to date of any of Fran's teams at Iowa.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

There certainly is an influx of talent, but Having 4 seniors with starting experience is huge. Plus several others with at least a year on the team. That cannot be understated. They will lead this team as a group, and guide the new blood to build the right chemistry. It is the perfect situation. It could most certainly be worse.

Will somebody have to step up out of the newbies? Yes. However those minutes are filler, they are not crucial. No one is needed to start right out the gate (although I am predicting one of them will rise up and earn a starting role by the end of December). Thus the pressure to perform will be greatly diminished. That will lead to better development of the new fellas. Being college basketball where there is constantly a rotating door of players, this is the perfect mix IMHO.

Now hurry up and get here PTL!

 

[RocknRollface]

I think the majority of minutes will go to the five upperclassmen and then Jones and Uhl.

That's 7 players 6 of whom can play multiple positions and shoot the ball.

You'll probably see 2 or 3 of the frosh get mixed in and maybe see one step up and earn a real spot in the rotation.

 

[freemanbrenner]

Uthoff is gonna be big time, might be the best two way player in the big ten, reminds me of chandler parsons

 

[CanadaHawk]

I think the majority of minutes will go to the five upperclassmen and then Jones and Uhl.

That's 7 players 6 of whom can play multiple positions and shoot the ball.

You'll probably see 2 or 3 of the frosh get mixed in and maybe see one step up and earn a real spot in the rotation.

This is the way I see it too RnR.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

I think the majority of minutes will go to the five upperclassmen and then Jones and Uhl.

That's 7 players 6 of whom can play multiple positions and shoot the ball.

You'll probably see 2 or 3 of the frosh get mixed in and maybe see one step up and earn a real spot in the rotation.

This is it. I think Fran plays a 10 or 11 with good minutes through most of December. Then drops it to 8-9 players with significant minutes from January on. Much like he did this past season... Then again, if not that means we are more B1G talent ready than expected. Which would kickass.

 

[hooper56]

I expect that the newcomers will get a ton of minutes during the preseason and Fran will figure out what he has and who he has faith in....By B1G we will see if any of the newcomers remain in the rotation. It might be that the new guys will become primarily situational players kind of the way Dean Smith would run his 2nd teamers to come in and get turnovers, etc. I expect one or two guys to emerge and end up in the rotation. the rest will have to watch learn and play when there is a blowout.