Iowa Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Hawkeyes

If you could think of one way to describe Iowa basketball under coach Fran McCaffery, it could be described as a Model of Consistency.

Even last year after Iowa had to replace all 5 starters, he still managed to win enough games to make the NIT. Fran McCaffery has the luxury of returning many key players with a lot of experience. One thing that will be interesting to keep an eye on is how will Iowa replace Big Ten superstar Peter Jok. When Iowa needed a basket, Jok was the guy to get them those baskets and keep them in games. Who will Iowa turn to this year? One thing is for sure, Coach McCaffery will have his team ready to play and you are always going to get their best shot.

Projected Starters:

Cordell Pemsl:  Pemsl was the unsung hero of the Hawkeyes last year. Pemsl was able to do all the dirty work in the paint. He can rebound, score, and is a tough body to move around. A true sophomore, Pemsl should take strides forward and be able to build off of his averages of a year ago. Pemsl is never going to be a household name or the best player on this Iowa team, but he will make you earn everything you get underneath the basket and isn’t going to cost the team games.

Tyler Cook: Cook is the incumbent leading scorer on this team. He ranked second on the team last year with 12 points per game last year as a freshman. Cook is going to be asked to score early and often for the Hawkeyes as he will be the first choice to replace the void left by Peter Jok. Cook is a talented wing who has the available skills to pick up the scoring slack for the Hawkeyes. Tyler Cook could be a First Team All-Big Ten selection this year.

Ahmad Wagner: One thing that makes Fran McCaffery-coached teams standout from the others is Fran’s ability to start a player strictly for his defense. Ahmad is that guy. Wagner is usually placed on the opposing team’s best offensive player. He is looked to be the rock defensively for Iowa. He also is looked upon to rebound and get steals. Wagner doesn’t always get the most minutes, but the minutes he plays are quality, and what he brings to defense and rebounding overshadows his mediocre offensive game.

Jordan Bohannon: Bohannon is a guy who is never out of range on the floor. He can shoot and make threes from just about anywhere. He is the one guy on the floor that you can never lose sight of, because he is deadly from beyond the arc. Bohannon made some big shots last year as a true freshman and a lot of his 3-pointers were shots that either gave Iowa a lead or tied a game up. Players with the makeup of Bohannon are nice players to have in any system. He is better suited as an off-guard, but can play point guard and can play it well. Bohannon is the most important player on Iowa’s roster not named Tyler Cook.

Isaiah Moss: This Chicago Simeon product was the starter at the two guard last year. Moss is a talented player who is just as good as anyone on the floor when he is locked in and engaged in the game. The one problem that Iowa’s coaching staff seems to have with Moss is that he often times disappears on the floor. He seems to go long stretches without scoring or even getting on the stat sheet. If Moss can fix that problem and remain consistent, he could help Iowa take a step forward. That step could help Iowa become elite.