Iowa Hawkeyes
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #43
Conference Rank: #6 Big Ten
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Last year’s NIT run is going to be looked at as a springboard for things to come in 2013-2014. Coach Fran McCaffrey has steadily improved the performance of the Hawkeyes, which was a stagnant program when he came on board three years ago. The Hawkeyes are going to be a veteran team with an eye for the free-throw line. They play a defensive style of basketball that is downright stingy. They have a superstar in senior Roy Devyn Marble. People learned who he was during the NIT last spring. He will be on the watch list for conference player of the year.
2012-2013 record: 25-13, 9-9
2012-2013 postseason: NIT – Runner-up
Coach: Fran McCaffrey
Coach Record: 54-50 at Iowa, 305-227 overall
Who’s Out:
The beautiful thing for Iowa is that last year’s young team becomes a group of seasoned veterans. All starters return to the lineup this fall. The only significant player they lose is Eric May, a three-year player who contributed a lot of minutes. He only averaged 5.2 points per game, but he was a veteran presence on this team last year as the young squad learned on the go. They lose a few other bit players that did not really factor into the rotation much last season. Only one recruit was brought into the fold for the 2013-2014 season since the roster was already so full.
Who’s In:
McCaffrey could go any number of ways with his starting lineup this season. He changed it up at points last season. The good news is that even with injury issues, he can put together a formidable five-man combination on the floor on any given night. Depending on how the season begins – and player performances during the initial stretch – he may alter things down on the block. Zach McCabe and Melsahn Besabe will compete for a starting slot. Both already play a significant role in Iowa’s game plan. Their lone recruit, Peter Jok, is a West Des Moines guard who has been lighting up the Hawkeyes’ summer games. He will figure into the rotation throughout the season.
Who to Watch:
In his senior year, Devyn Marble is going to be the man to watch. Outside of a poor performance in the NIT championship game, Devyn Marble had a great postseason tournament. He scored at least 21 points in each game leading up to the final against Baylor. His primary skill set is based on scoring though he is fully capable of distributing and playing tough defense. He would really put himself in an elite class in the Big Ten if he rounds out his game and becomes really good at all facets of the game. He is also reliable. He is an 81 percent free throw shooter, making him even more deadly of a scorer.
Final Projection:
Iowa has a good shot to make the NCAA tournament this year. Few teams return all their starters, in one combination or another, the following season. The chemistry this group developed last year will be paramount to their success. McCaffrey is a good coach who has developed some consistency in Iowa City. The Big Ten is a great basketball conference though. Iowa can be considered an afterthought sometimes. It will be up to the team to push themselves to the forefront of the Big Ten discussion. With a player like Devyn Marble, the Hawkeyes can certainly make a run. They must improve their shooting as a team, but expect some big wins for this team in 2013-2014.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Roy Devyn Marble, Senior, Guard, 15.0 points per game
Mike Gesell, Sophomore, Guard, 8.7 points per game
Adam Woodbury, Sophomore, Center, 4.9 points per game
Melsahn Besabe, Senior, Forward, 6.8 points per game
Aaron White, Sophomore, Forward, 12.8 points per game
By the numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.1 (105th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.8 (75, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.9 (246, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.2 (27, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.4 (257, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 30.5 (275, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.1 (53, 2)
Rebound Margin: 4.7 (41, 5)
Assists Per Game: 15.1 (32, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.5 (113, 8)
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