2011-2012 Iowa Basketball Preview

2010-11 Results

Overall: 11-20 (Home 8-8 Road 2-9 Neutral 1-3 Postseason 0-1)
Big Ten: 4-14
Conference Tournament: Lost in the first round of the Big Ten Conference tournament to Michigan State.
Postseason: None

Fran McCaffery led the Hawkeyes to a 11-20 overall record and 4-14 conference record. It was really an up and down season for the Hawkeyes twice losing six games in a row and they were blown out several times. Iowa also lost five games by three points as well as two in overtime. Additionally the team was horrible on the road going 2-9 with their only road wins over Drake and Indiana.

With the return of most of their top players the Hawkeyes will look to do better. Though they will be hard pressed to end the team’s streak of five straight seasons missing the NCAA Tournament.

The Hawkeyes were ninth in offense and defense in the Big Ten. They averaged 67.2 points per game on offense. Iowa was especially ineffective from three point range hitting on only 31.4 percent of their shots beyond the arch. The team also needs to eliminate turnovers if they want to improve this year.

Roster

Returning Starters
Matt Gatens
Melsahn Basabe
Bryce Cartwright

Other Returning Players
Roy Devyn Marble
Zach McCabe
Andrew Brommer
Devon Archie

Newcomers
Gabe Olaseni
Josh Oglesby
Aaron White

Coach
Fran McCaffery

Schedule

http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/iowa-m-baskbl-sched.html

Key Losses

Jarryd Cole will be sorely missed. He was a great scoring option for the Hawkeyes in the interior and was excellent as a team player a year ago chipping in 8.0 points per game. Cole was able to control the paint with his 250 pound frame. He was the team’s best rebounder grabbing 6.3 rebounds a game. Iowa will have a difficult time replacing him this year.

2011-12 Preview

All-Big Ten Freshman Melsahn Basabe and Big Ten assist leader Bryce Cartwright will try to lead Iowa’s turn around after the Buckeyes have not finished higher than eight in the past four years.
Last year McCaffery had a tough season in his first year with Iowa. The Hawkeyes return seven of their top eight players from a year ago but it will be a challenge for them to finish in the upper half of the highly competitive Big Ten conference.

Backcourt

Cartwright returns after leading the Big Ten in assist a year ago. Additionally he was third on the team in scoring a year ago averaging 10.9 points per game. Matt Gatens led the team in scoring at 12.6 points per game returns and was also the leading free throw shooter in the Big Ten at 87.4 percent.

Eric May and Zach McCabe also return in the backcourt. Devyn Marble played 19.1 minutes a game a year ago and averaged 5.8 points per game.

Josh Oglesby was a top recruit and should join the rotation. He has the potential to knock down big time shots from the outside.

Frontcourt

Melsahn Basabe and Aaron White will start in the front court this year. Basabe had an excellent freshman campaign scoring 11.0 points per game and 6.8 boards. He also led the team in blocked shots. With a field goal percentage over 57 percent the Hawkeyes guards need to get him the ball more this year and for a big man he is an excellent free throw shooter. The key to his success this season will be to stay out of foul trouble.

Aaron White is a freshman with a lot of potential. White is a 6-foot-8 forward that averaged a double-double in high school though was not heavily recruited. So far it appears that Iowa uncovered a hidden gem in White.

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