Iowa Basketball Preview 2021
Our Iowa basketball preview 2021 - 22 finds that the Hawkeyes saw a load of talent leave after their disappointing loss to Oregon in round two of the NCAA. Last season, hopes were high as the Iowa Hawkeyes (22-9 Overall, 14-6) had a fine regular season, finishing third in a very tough conference. When it was all over head coach Fran McCaffery (216-152 Iowa/11 years, 467-329 Overall/25 years) lost the 2020-21 National Player of the Year Luka Garza plus All-Big Ten forward Joe Wieskamp. That’s a lot of talent to replace. Yet, McCaffery is on record saying he wants to push the Hawkeyes further.
Hawkeyes Frontcourt
North Dakota transfer Filip Rebraca can certainly score and rebound. Even more important to the Hawkeyes is his experience, maturity, and leadership. He arrives to anchor the paint. After a fine freshman season, Keegan Murray returns. Last year, he proved to be a fine inside shooter and versatile defender. If he can develop an accurate perimeter shot, he’ll be invaluable. The son of the head coach, Patrick McCaffery, can score upfront. He’ll see expanded minutes this season. Center is a question mark. Six-foot-11 freshman Riley Mulvey and six-foot-11 sophomore Josh Ogundele will both have opportunities to contribute.
Iowa Basketball Preview – Backcourt
The return of star point guard Jordan Bohannon for a sixth senior season is huge for this team. The all-time Iowa leader in three-point field goals, assists, games played, and free-throw percentage will move to shooting guard. Speedy junior Joe Toussaint looks ready to take over point, command the floor, set up plays, and dish off assists. He can blow past defenders and take it to the tim. However, his three-point and jump shots both need work. Fifth-year senior Connor McCaffery, also one of coach Fran McCaffery’s sons, will see expanded playing time. A versatile defender, he can takle on both guard positions. Plus, there’s more depth ready to come off the bench.
Iowa Basketball Preview 2021 – Final Word
Coach McCaffery has lost some big time talent. He brings in a few quality transfers and freshmen, which will help cover the loss of Garza and others. Still, they will have a hard time filling the void. Our Iowa basketball preview 2021 - 22 projects the Hawkeyes as struggling this season. We expect they will finish 10th in the Big Ten and end up playing in the NIT. That’s a far cry from last season when the Hawkeyes finished third and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. We don’t think this is the season that McCaffery takes his team to new heights.
Big Ten - Iowa Rankings & Projections 2021
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 7
Big Ten Finish: 10
Postseason Tournament: NIT