Iowa Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Hawkeyes

Projected Starters

Tyler Cook

Cook changed his number this year but the Hawkeyes hope he doesn’t change his game. He averaged just over 15 ppg last year and will look to become even more of a threat this year. He is not an outside threat as he took just seven threes last year, but he did shoot almost 57% from inside the arc last year. They need him to again be solid inside and every indication is that he will. Cook is a big-time threat inside and he could bust out, even more, this year.

Jordan Bohannon

Bohannon is definitely not afraid to shoot the ball. He shot the ball almost 550 times last year which was over a 100 more than anyone else on the team. The good thing is that he did shoot 43% from behind the arc and 42% inside the three-point line. He averaged 13.5 ppg and will again need to be a go-to scorer for the Hawkeyes. If he continues to shoot well or even improves on it then McCaffery and company will be ok with him shooting so much. He did also lead the team with 178 assists, so he understands how to find the open man also. He is a very good all-around player and he and Cook could carry the Hawkeyes this year.

Luka Garza

Garza is a big guy at 6’11” and played like it as a freshman. He averaged 12.1 ppg last year and looks like he could be great for the Hawkeyes this year. He plays mostly inside but he will step out and take the three. He shot 46 threes last year and made 35% on the year. If he can add that as a  legitimate weapon he could really stretch opposing defenses. He is going to be a matchup problem for a lot of teams.

Isaiah Moss

Moss is the Hawkeyes other real three-point threat along with Bohannon. He shot almost 39% from behind the arc last year which was second on the team. He, like Bohannon, is definitely not afraid to shoot the ball either. They make up a great one-two punch from the outside and when they are both on the Hawkeyes will be tough to beat. He does most of his damage around the perimeter but will occasionally get inside. Look for him to again score in double figures this year.

Nicholas Baer

Baer is more of a glue guy for the Hawkeyes. He averaged just 5.3 ppg last year but he did lead the team in steals with 27. Baer did start 17 games last year and could slide into the fifth starting spot when the season starts. He could also end up being the first guy off the bench if he starts off slow. Baer has shown the ability to score both inside and out and could pick up points if other teams concentrate on Bohannon, Cook, and Moss. He should have a few games this year when he scores in bunches but overall he is more counted on for his defense.