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Iowa Basketball: Where do the Hawkeyes need to improve for 2018-19?

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 28: The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 28: The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Iowa basketball is coming off of a disappointing season. Heading into 2018-19, where do the Hawkeyes need to improve to make the Big Dance?

Quite simply, Iowa basketball had a rough season in 2017-18. There were high expectations going into the year with many analysts projecting the Hawkeyes in the NCAA Tournament. However, the team never lived up to that hype as they suffered a losing season of 14-19 (4-14 Big Ten). There were very few bright spots but that does not mean that all of the hope should be gone in Iowa.

The biggest concern surrounding the Hawkeyes leading into last season was their youth following the departure of scorer Peter Jok. These were obviously major issues throughout this past season but that should not be the case again in 2018-19. The majority of the roster is returning once again but this time they will be experienced and ready to rise in the Big Ten.

Of course, a lot of this hinges on the NBA Draft decision of Tyler Cook. The leading scorer for the Hawkeyes this past season, Cook is testing the draft waters right now and going through workouts despite the fact that he has not signed with an agent. Along with starting point guard Jordan Bohannon, Cook is a major building block for the program heading into this season and they need him to come back.

Regardless of Cook’s decision, though, Iowa basketball needs to show a lot improvement in order to reach the NCAA Tournament. Here is a look at three potential places for development during this offseason.

(All statistics found via Sports-Reference and KenPom.)

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