Iowa Hawkeyes

2023-24 Result: 19-15 (10-10 Big 10), NIT Appearance

Key Additions

Drew Thelwell (Morehead State)

Cooper Koch

Seydou Traore (Manhattan)

Iowa returns its leading scorer from a year ago in Payton Sandfort. However, their leader, Tony Perkins, left for Missouri and their third leading scorer. Ben Krikke, graduated. Fran McCaffery also lost his son, Patrick McCaffery to the portal. In response, Iowa turned to the portal and brought in Drew Thelwell to replace Perkins and Seydou Traore to fill a forward spot off the bench. McCaffery was able to land a 4-star recruit in Cooper Koch, but chances are he will not be asked to contribute much this season. Sandfort and returner Owen Freeman will keep the Hawkeyes afloat, especially at home, but it could be a tough season in Iowa again this winter.

Welcome to another year of Iowa basketball, where defense is optional. They allowed the 341st most points per game in the country last season, and that is unlikely to change again this year. The only real change that could affect their defense is the addition of Seydou Traore, who averaged roughly 1.5 blocks and steals per game last season. Outside of that, Owen Freeman will do a good job protecting the rim, but the guard and wing defense is a real problem. Now that Tony Perkins is gone, it will be even worse. The Hawkeyes will need to score some points, per usual, this year.

The Iowa offense is going to run through Payton Sandfort and Owen Freeman this season after the third piece of their offense, Tony Perkins, left in the portal. Sandfort’s game has really developed over the years and has become a go-to scorer for Fran McCaffery’s team. Owen Freeman is just a sophomore, so expect him to build on a strong freshman campaign where he averaged nearly 11 and 7 and have the potential to become the go-to guy after the departure of 14 points per game from both Perkins and Ben Krikke. The Hawkeyes should score the ball well because of their high shooting percentages and fast-paced offense. Transfer Drew Thelwell and Brock Harding will look to be the new lead creators for the offense, while Sandfort and Freeman will do the scoring.

Fran McCaffery’s team will not be very good again this season. They will have some exciting games because they will score and give up a lot of points, but this will not be conducive to wins. They will win some games in this conference because that is what happens in the BIG 10, especially at home, but the Iowa Hawkeyes will be watching from their couch come March.