Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2019-2020 season

By Austin Walther

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Tyler Cook #25 and the Iowa Hawkeyes huddle during their game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Tyler Cook #25 and the Iowa Hawkeyes huddle during their game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

5) Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa is one of the most interesting teams for next year. That’s because they have one of the more interesting players testing the NBA waters. It’s really no surprise that Tyler Cook is out there getting information about his draft progress, but he also hired an agent. Players can drop an agent and come back. You would think that’s where Cook is headed, but still, Iowa fans are a little pessimistic on what the big man does.

If he comes back, I have no doubt Iowa belongs here. Maybe even a spot higher. But if he doesn’t? It may be a little hairy for a top-five finish from this team. It’s possible though.

Jordan Bohannon is the true star of the team. His assists went down by two this past season thanks to Cook drawing double-teams and kicking it out. We weren’t quite sure if Bohannon was going to repeat his three-point shooting either, but he came around for 79 this past season. And we all remember how clutch he was at the end of the season. Which is a big reason why Iowa didn’t slip too much near the bubble.

The Hawkeyes are losing Nicholas Baer who has been a role player in Iowa City for what seems like 10 years. Bottom of the rotation guy Maishe Dailey is transferring and underrated freshman Joe Wieskamp is testing the NBA draft waters as well. He should be back for his sophomore season though.

A strong six out of eight guys from the rotation should return if Cook decides not to come back. Not to mention Jack Nunge who missed all of last year and Cordell Pemsl who played in just two games last season. Both have potential to score over five points per game. Fran McCaffery has another song, Pat, who like his brother was last season, a top-100 recruit. Iowa will have a couple spots to fill, but there are guys who are capable of filling them.

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