Iowa basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Hawkeyes
By Jacob Shames
Reserves
G Connor McCaffery (6’5, Rs. So., 4.4 ppg, 3.0 apg, 36.1 fg%) — So thin were the Hawkeyes at point guard last season that McCaffery — a small forward per most recruiting services — was their backup point guard last season. However, the coach’s son acquitted himself quite well, recording an assist rate of 27.3, although McCaffery’s outside shooting — just six-for-29 as a freshman — has room to grow. McCaffery started at point guard in place of Bohannon in Monday’s exhibition.
G Bakari Evelyn (6’2, Rs. Sr., 8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg) — Evelyn began his career at Nebraska before transferring to Valparaiso and finally wound up at Iowa as a graduate student. He has point guard size, but with a career assist-turnover ratio of nearly 1 to 1, he’s better suited to a combo guard role off the bench. Evelyn shot just 34 percent from the field last season, but if he gets back to his sophomore form (44.9 fg%, 38.3 3pt%) he can more than hold down the fort.
G Joe Toussaint (6’0, Fr.) — The Bronx native was a finalist for Mr. Basketball in New York as a senior, and averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds as a junior. Toussaint is the “true” point guard that Iowa hasn’t had for a while — a guy who can push the ball, create his own shot and run an offense, and particularly excels on the defensive end thanks to his toughness and agility. The future is his, but in the meantime, he’ll back up Bohannon.
F Ryan Kriener (6’10, Sr., 5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 53.9 fg%) — Kriener has patiently waited his turn for three seasons. Now, with Cook in the NBA, it’s finally here. At 255 pounds, the senior has ideal size and a track record of solid production in limited minutes. Like just about every notable Iowa big man in recent memory, Kriener can stretch the floor, hitting nine of 27 threes last season, although he’s more comfortable in the midrange. He’ll score, but he won’t do much stopping opponents from doing the same.
F Cordell Pemsl (6’9, Rs. Jr., 4.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 66.7 fg%) — Pemsl underwent season-ending knee surgery in December after having played in just two games. What sets Pemsl apart on this roster is his total lack of range: he’s a 62 percent free-throw shooter and has taken one three-pointer in his career. He’s a throwback mauler who attacks the glass and scores mostly off of dump-offs and putbacks.
F Patrick McCaffery (6’9, Fr.) — The second of Fran’s sons to suit up for his father, McCaffery is a much different player than his brother. He was Iowa City West’s all-time leading scorer, a four-star recruit, and the 60th-ranked recruit in the nation per ESPN. He’s rail-thin, but he can certainly score: 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench against Lindsey Wilson.