Predicting the 2019-2020 Iowa Men's Basketball Team

Post/Article by Eric Jesse
10/8/2019
Corn Fed Sports and Entertainment


Image result for tiger hawk

There is no question that the 2019-2020 Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has the potential to be a transitional period. With many questions marks up in the air and young players in the mix for significant roles on the team it could be a tough year for the Hawks. Star point guard Jordan Bohannon is a question mark to play this season and there has been a lot of talk of the Senior to be to take a redshirt year after his off-season hip surgery. They also lose their best player from last season, Tyler Cook, who was their best rebounder by far. Put that fact in with the transfer and graduation of three other players who all got playing time last season makes it easy to see why this season has a chance to be a transitional year for the Hawks. Looking at the roster there is a variety of different options coach Fran McCafferycan use for his starting lineup. My prediction for the starting lineup is (assuming Bohannon is out all season):

1. Bakari Evelyn Senior
2. Joe Wieskamp Sophomore
3. Patrick McCaffery Freshman
4. Jack Nunge Sophomore
5. Luka Garza Junior

This lineup allows for the team to have some shooting on the court, with some size, and length. Rebounding and defense could be a big question mark throughout the season not just for this lineup but for the team in general. The rest of the rotation has a variety of different young players that can give coach McCaffery flexibility to mix and match who is in the lineup. Having this can allow for the positionless basketball we are seeing in today's game. The bench has the potential to have those stabilizing players that know their roles and when they come in the team doesn't miss a beat. I see the rest of the rotation filling out as such:

6. CJ Fredrick Freshman
7. Cordell Pemsl Junior
8. Ryan Kriener Senior
9. Connor McCaffery Sophomore
10. Joe Toussaint Freshman

I have read nothing but great things about CJ Fredrick and he looks to have a large role as a combo guard this season. Redshirting last year has the potential to greatly benefit him moving forward. The Hawks know what they are going to get from Pemsl, Kriener, and Connor McCaffery this season. However, true Freshman point guard Joe Toussaint looks to be a player that the Hawks have not had in some time. Toussaint is a quick athlete that can collapse the defense and set up the shooters on the perimeter or get to the rim. It has something that the Hawks have lacked for many years. Look for the young point guard to have an impact on this season. No matter what happens it should be a fun team to watch no matter what the team's record is at the end of the season. 

With that being said the combination of injuries, graduations, and transfers will be difficult for the Hawks to deal with this season. The schedule for the team also does them no favors as it is a very difficult out of the conference and especially Big Ten season for the Hawks. Defense and rebounding are the two biggest question marks on this year's team. Below is the team's schedule with my predictions for each game this season. Overall, I have them at 16-15 (9-11) in the 2019-2020 season. The leadership and play of Jordan Bohannon will be a huge loss for the Hawks. Another year of experience for the young Hawkeyes, along with with the return of Bohannon in 2020-2021 and hopefully a great player in 2020 recruit Xavier Foster (announcing on November 12) look for the Hawks to have a huge bounce-back season next year.


November 8th, 2019
SIUE
W
November 11, 2019
Depaul 
W
November 15, 2019
Oral Roberts
W
November 21, 2019
North Florida
W
November 24, 2019
Cal Poly
W
November 28, 2019
Texas Tech
L
November 29, 2019
Creighton or San Diego State
W
December 3, 2019
@Syracuse
L
December 6, 2019
@Michigan
L
December 9, 2019
Minnesota
W
December 12, 2019
@Iowa State
L
December 21, 2019
Cincinnati
L
December 29, 2019
Kennesaw State
W
January 4th, 2020
@Penn State
W
January 7th, 2020
@Nebraska
W
January 10, 2020
Maryland
L
January 14, 2020
@Northwestern
W
January 17, 2020
Michigan
L
January 22, 2020
Rutgers
W
January 27, 2020
Wisconsin
L
January 30, 2020
@Maryland
L
February 2, 2020
Illinois
W
February 5, 2020
@Purdue
L
February 8, 2020
Nebraska
W
February 13, 2020
@Indiana
W
February 16, 2020
@Minnesota
L
February 20, 2020
Ohio State
L
February 25, 2020
@Michigan State
L
February 29, 2020
Penn State
W
March 3, 2020
Purdue
L
March 8, 2020
@Illinois
L


Overall 16-15 (9-11)


As always, thank you for checking us out and the support! Follow us on the following platforms: 
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/cornfedpodcast1 
  • Instagram: cornfedpodcast1 
  • Twitter: @cornfedpodcast1
  • Podcast: https://anchor.fm/cornfedpodcast
You have officially been #CornFed!



Comments