Busting Brackets
Fansided

Pittsburgh vs. Iowa: Key storylines for 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: The Iowa Hawkeyes huddle before the championship game against the Connecticut Huskies during the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: The Iowa Hawkeyes huddle before the championship game against the Connecticut Huskies during the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Connor McCaffery #30 and head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes react in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies during the championship game of the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Connor McCaffery #30 and head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes react in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies during the championship game of the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Freshmen paying dividends for both teams

When former Duke assistant Jeff Capel took over as Pittsburgh’s Head Coach, he had to start from the ground up with arguably the worst power conference roster in the country. In the first couple of months, he snagged a pair of four-star commits, as well as another quality recruit. So far, they’ve been huge in the Panthers 6-0 start.

Freshman Xavier Johnson has been far better than former point guard Marcus Carr at this stage, leading the team with 16.7 ppg and 5.5 apg, while bringing down 4.3 rpg. Au’Diese Toney is averaging 10.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg, while Trey Mcgowens also has played well, scoring just under double figures. Pitt was one of the worst scoring teams in the country but now has key building blocks for the future on both ends of the court.

Iowa returned over 90% of the team’s production from a year ago but have benefited greatly from a pair of freshmen as well. Joe Wieskamp was a top-60 recruit who’s averaging 10 ppg, while Connor McCaffery (son of head coach Fran McCaffery) has been a big surprise, leading the team with 3.8 apg while also scoring in double figures off the bench.

The guard play for Iowa was a big reason why they struggled a year ago but with these freshmen taking the load off of junior Jordan Bohanon, the Hawkeyes has the balance needed to win games. The record is evidence as that successful balance.

Home/Iowa Hawkeyes