Iowa Hawkeyes
2021-2022 Overall Rank: #48
Conference Rank: #8 Big Ten
Conference Rank: #8 Big Ten
Iowa is coming off one of their best seasons under Fran McCaffery, earning a two-seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes failed to capitalize though, failing to reach the Sweet Sixteen yet again. Iowa has never made it to the second weekend under McCaffery, and improving upon last season will take some time. Naismith Award Winner Luka Garza is gone now, along with Joe Wieskamp and CJ Fredrick. Iowa does return two full-time starters, but most of the roster is young and inexperienced. Just making the NCAA Tournament would be a success for the Hawkeyes this season.
2020-21 Record: 22-9, 14-6
2020-21 Postseason: NCAA
2020-21 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Fran McCaffery
Coach Record: 216-152 at Iowa, 467-329 overall
Key Departed Players:
Luka Garza, Forward, 24.1 ppg
Joe Wieskamp, Forward, 14.8 ppg
CJ Fredrick, Guard, 7.5 ppg
Jack Nunge, Forward, 7.1 ppg
Luka Garza, Forward, 24.1 ppg
Joe Wieskamp, Forward, 14.8 ppg
CJ Fredrick, Guard, 7.5 ppg
Jack Nunge, Forward, 7.1 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Jordan Bohannon, Senior, Guard, 10.6 ppg
Keegan Murray, Sophomore, Forward, 7.2 ppg
Patrick McCaffery, Sophomore, Forward, 5.2 ppg
Joe Toussaint, Junior, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Connor McCaffery, Senior, Guard, 3.3 ppg
Austin Ash, Senior, Guard, 1.7 ppg
Tony Perkins, Sophomore, Guard, 1.6 ppg
Ahron Ulis, Sophomore, Guard, 1.6 ppg
Josh Ogundele, Sophomore, Forward, 0.9 ppg
Kris Murray, Sophomore, Forward, 0.6 ppg
Jordan Bohannon, Senior, Guard, 10.6 ppg
Keegan Murray, Sophomore, Forward, 7.2 ppg
Patrick McCaffery, Sophomore, Forward, 5.2 ppg
Joe Toussaint, Junior, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Connor McCaffery, Senior, Guard, 3.3 ppg
Austin Ash, Senior, Guard, 1.7 ppg
Tony Perkins, Sophomore, Guard, 1.6 ppg
Ahron Ulis, Sophomore, Guard, 1.6 ppg
Josh Ogundele, Sophomore, Forward, 0.9 ppg
Kris Murray, Sophomore, Forward, 0.6 ppg
Key New Players:
Riley Mulvey, Freshman, Forward
Filip Rebraca, Senior, Forward, Transfer from North Dakota
Payton Sandfort, Freshman, Forward
Riley Mulvey, Freshman, Forward
Filip Rebraca, Senior, Forward, Transfer from North Dakota
Payton Sandfort, Freshman, Forward
Projection:
At first glance, it can appear like Iowa is returning an experienced and deep roster, but in actuality they will be one of the more inexperienced teams in the Big Ten. Jordan Bohannon and Connor McCaffery will give them one of the oldest backcourts, but the rest of the roster is mostly unproven. Bohannon used his extra year of eligibility to return for his sixth season at Iowa. Bohannon has played in 143 games and is a career 40% three-point shooter. Connor McCaffery will be entering his fifth season at Iowa, having played in 100 games and always at the top of the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Keegan Murray earned All-Big Ten Freshman honors behind 7.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in just 18 minutes per game. Murray is primed for a breakout sophomore campaign. Patrick McCaffery and Joe Toussaint are the only other returners who averaged double-digit minutes per game. Austin Ash, Tony Perkins, Ahron Ulis, Josh Ogundele and Kris Murray all saw seven minutes or fewer per game last year and were mostly used in garbage time situations. Iowa will need as many of them as possible to take their game to another level this season. The addition of North Dakota transfer Filip Rebraca will greatly help the experience level for the Hawkeyes. Rebraca was an All-Summit League member last season behind 16.8 points and 7.6 rebounds. The Big Ten will be a big step up in competition, but Rebraca’s maturity will be much-needed. Iowa also brings in freshmen Riley Mulvey and Payton Sandfort who should get a chance to contribute right away. Iowa lost their superstars, but an experienced backcourt should help them remain competitive in the mighty Big Ten.
At first glance, it can appear like Iowa is returning an experienced and deep roster, but in actuality they will be one of the more inexperienced teams in the Big Ten. Jordan Bohannon and Connor McCaffery will give them one of the oldest backcourts, but the rest of the roster is mostly unproven. Bohannon used his extra year of eligibility to return for his sixth season at Iowa. Bohannon has played in 143 games and is a career 40% three-point shooter. Connor McCaffery will be entering his fifth season at Iowa, having played in 100 games and always at the top of the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Keegan Murray earned All-Big Ten Freshman honors behind 7.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in just 18 minutes per game. Murray is primed for a breakout sophomore campaign. Patrick McCaffery and Joe Toussaint are the only other returners who averaged double-digit minutes per game. Austin Ash, Tony Perkins, Ahron Ulis, Josh Ogundele and Kris Murray all saw seven minutes or fewer per game last year and were mostly used in garbage time situations. Iowa will need as many of them as possible to take their game to another level this season. The addition of North Dakota transfer Filip Rebraca will greatly help the experience level for the Hawkeyes. Rebraca was an All-Summit League member last season behind 16.8 points and 7.6 rebounds. The Big Ten will be a big step up in competition, but Rebraca’s maturity will be much-needed. Iowa also brings in freshmen Riley Mulvey and Payton Sandfort who should get a chance to contribute right away. Iowa lost their superstars, but an experienced backcourt should help them remain competitive in the mighty Big Ten.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 83.7 (5th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.7 (241, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.1 (43, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.0 (93, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.7 (16, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.6 (10, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.5 (156, 8)
Rebound Margin: 2.7 (92, 6)
Assists Per Game: 19.2 (1, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 9.5 (4, 2)
