Iowa Basketball: Hawkeyes’ historic comeback falls short, but future bright
Iowa Basketball nearly made history in their second round upset bid over Tennessee in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. A deeper run could be a year away.
For a while, Iowa Basketball looked like they were wilting, ready to succumb to a massive blowout like so many programs the day before.
That was not the team’s destiny, though.
Against the Tennessee Volunteers, the 10-seed Hawkeyes came all the way back from a 25-point deficit to force overtime against the 2-seed in the South Region. Ultimately, Iowa couldn’t complete the biggest NCAA Tournament comeback in seven years, dashing their hopes of a Sweet Sixteen run with an 83-77 defeat on Sunday afternoon.
The first reaction across the program was likely one of disappointment. Sure, they showed tremendous fortitude and fight before falling short against the Vols. But this is a team that spent 13 weeks in the AP Top 25 this season, reaching as high as No. 14 – a Sweet Sixteen trip once seem fated.
Nevertheless, the tenacity shown by Iowa on Sunday should build momentum for what could be a remarkable 2019-20 season.
We’ll be back. #Hawkeyes #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/HMssaRrwxU
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 24, 2019
Unexpected transfers and departures are unpredictable, but the Hawkeyes are only projected to lose one departing senior in forward Nicholas Baer. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game off the bench, but started only five games during his final season.
Each of the team’s top five scorers are set to return, led by rising senior Tyler Cook. The forward earned some deserved criticism for his lackluster play down the stretch of the season, but the media’s All-Big Ten Second Team selection will use his struggles as fuel for a big senior season.
Cook could leave for the NBA Draft (he withdrew from it last year), though he was noncommittal about his plans following Sunday’s defeat.
Joe Wieskamp had a big freshman season, averaging 11.1 points per game on 43.3 percent 3-point shooting. He could be in line for stardom starting next year.
This is just the beginning..
— Joe Wieskamp (@JWieskamp21) March 24, 2019
Nepotism will rear its beautiful head on the recruiting trail once more. Pat McCaffery, son of coach Fran, is one of two well-regarded recruits joining the program next season. The small forward is considered a top-75 prospect, according to 247 Sports.
Since taking over in 2010, Fran McCaffery has yet to lead the Hawkeyes past the Round of 32. In fact, the Hawkeyes haven’t tasted the Sweet Sixteen this century.
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All of the pieces are in place to finally reach that stage in 2019-20.