Big Ten Basketball: 2024 offseason grades for each team

Iowa Hawkeyes - Grade: B-

Of the six main scorers on the roster, three of them are gone at Iowa. Forward Ben Krikke ran out of eligibility, while both Patrick McCaffery and Tony Perkins transferred out. But two underclassmen players who are back are Josh Dix and Owen Freeman, two potential all-league players to watch.

The other key returning player is Payton Sandfort, who led the Hawkeyes with 16.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg on 38% shooting from three-point range. His decision to come back from the NBA Draft process instantly gives them a go-to offensive star to build around and ultimately keep them competitive.

Iowa also landed two transfers from the portal. Drew Thelwell averaged 10.0 ppg and 6.2 apg last season at Morehead State and replaces Perkins as the starting point guard, while Seydou Traore is a 6’7 starting forward from Manhattan, who produced 11.8 ppg and 8.2 rpg as a freshman.

Overall, the Hawkeyes were able to keep a competitive roster for next season and should be able to avoid the bottom in the Big Ten. Whether it’s good enough to take a jump in the standings and be in postseason contention is a question but Sandfort alone makes it a successful offseason overall.