Big Ten Basketball: Updated 2021-22 preseason rankings after NBA Draft decisions
. . Hawkeyes . 9. team. 483.
The departure of Big Ten and National Player of the Year Luka Garza was expected, as he accomplished everything individually with the Hawkeyes. But the fate of the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder Joe Wieskamp (14.8 ppg and 6.6 rpg) went all the way up to the final week of the draft deadline. In the end, the 6’6 sharpshooting wing was viewed as too much of a fit at the next level, so Wieskamp opted to stay in.
If losing those two wasn’t bad enough, both Jack Nunge and CJ Fredrick decided to transfer out as well. At least to replace Nunge in the frontcourt is Filip Rebrača, a 6’9 forward who averaged 16.8 ppg and 7.6 rpg last season at North Dakota. He, along with breakout candidate Keegan Murray will be tasked with trying to replace the frontcourt production of Garza.
Even without Fredick, Iowa still has plenty of backcourt depth to work with. Jordan Bohannon is back for a 6th year, already having set several school records in three-pointers made, assists, and overall games played. The senior leader will be with Connor and Patrick McCaffery, as well as Joe Toussaint, a reserve that had some impressive moments when giving playing time.
The losses of Garza and Wieskamp will have the Hawkeyes take a step back but how far will be the question. This team’s biggest weakness was overall defense so while they lose a lot of offensive production, could an improved defense make up for it to keep them viable in the Big Ten?