Big Ten Basketball: Predicting teams at the bottom for 2019-20 season

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Juwan Morgan #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers works against Deshawn Freeman #33 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes encourages his team 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) /

9. Iowa

2018-2019 conference record: 10-10

Key players lost: Tyler Cook, Jordan Bohannon (injury), Isaiah Moss (transfer), Nicholas Baer

Key players returning: Joe Wieskamp, Luka Garza, Ryan Kriener, Connor McCaffery,

Key newcomers: Pat McCaffery, Bakari Evelyn (transfer)

The Hawkeyes were poised to be one of the better teams in the Big Ten when the season ended, but the roster has been depleted since. First, Isaiah Moss made a surprising decision to transfer. Then, Tyler Cook made the decision to stay in the NBA Draft despite a low chance of being drafted. Lastly, point guard Jordan Bohannon announced he would be having hip surgery and could miss the entire 2019-2020 season.

Despite losing three starters, the Hawkeyes return some talent. Luka Garza was one of the better bigs in the conference and should be a force on both ends. Rising sophomore Joe Wieskamp is a breakout candidate on the wing as well.

In addition to Garza and Wieskamp, they return role players Connor McCaffery and Ryan Kriener who each fulfilled a role last season off the bench. Fran McCaffery’s other son Patrick is a four-star forward who should have an immediate impact. Valpo grad transfer Bakari Evelyn will fill the gap at point guard for the Hawkeyes as well.

Even with lesser talent, Iowa is always a dangerous team because of their versatility. They can speed up the tempo (second in the Big Ten in pace last season) but they can also slow things down and play inside. They will have enough shooting to play in high scoring affairs if needed.

But the injury to Bohannon may be too much. If he does, in fact, miss the entire season, then a second straight tournament appearance might be an uphill climb for the Hawkeyes.

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