Jay: Who will be Iowa's starting point guard this year be? Will Anthony Tucker fill in as a sophomore that is probably more of a 2-guard, or will Cully Payne mature fast enough/Coach Lickliter have enough confidence to start as a true freshman?
Me: Great question buddy. I agree that Tucker may be more of a shooting/off guard as he can light it up from just about anywhere on Iowa's side of the half-court line. However, I am confident in his abilities to handle the ball if he has to. He did it for a semester last season and he did it all summer in the Prime Time League where he torched defenses every night scoring and assisting. I was also extremely impressed with Payne in the summer and how he managed games as a youngster and made some surprisingly athletic plays for someone his size. He's a very quick defender, can slash when he has to and get to the rim, but can also hit the three. And he showed decision-making skills beyond his age. If he can stay poised and make those kind of smart plays/decisions in the nonconference, Coach Lick will be fine with playing him during the Big Ten season. So all in all, I think Iowa should be ok at the point. Plus we got John Lickliter who, although undersized, is a smart player (can you guess why?).
Jay: Is all the talk about Aaron Fuller's development this summer legit? Also, how is the big man situation in general?
Me: Fuller apparently dominated Iowa's summer trip to Italy and Greece where he averaged a double-double. I unfortunately didn't get to see him much in the PTL, but I heard he was playing some great ball. The sophomore has put on some muscle that will help him bang down low, which Iowa will need given that it doesn't have a post player over 6-8. Jarryd Cole is a junior cocaptain who should start at center, but he isn't much of a scorer on the blocks. He gets his points off putbacks and alley-oops, but he did show an improved range over the summer, knocking down 15 foot jumpers with consistency. Andrew Brommer showed flashes early on last season, then saw his minutes diminish in the conference season. He also suffered a high ankle sprain and didn't play much in the PTL, although his team did with the championship. Devon Archie is a junior college transfer that I don't personally think is ready to compete in the Big Ten yet. He's somewhat gifted defensively but rather raw offensively. Freshman Brennan Cougil is expected to be a project.
Jay: Well, we might as well cover the wing positions since that's we haven't talked about that yet.
Me: Good thinking, Jay. Let's start with our best wing player, Matt Gatens, who you and I are familiar with having played alongside him at Iowa City High (We don't have to mention that it was just on the practice squad. Wait a second...) He will obviously emerge as a big-time leader for the Hawks as a sophomore. He was their most consistent player last year as a newcomer, even when he played the four position most of the time. History says he will take a giant leap in his second season. Senior cocaptain Devan Bawinkel can sink treys like nobody's business, as evidence by him not attempting a two-point field goal or a free throw until the third-to-last game of the season. Not to mention his record-tying 8 threes in one game against Ohio State at home. I have a feeling he will set a new record sometime this year. Eric May is a true freshman that will see meaningful minutes. He is physically ready for the Big Ten (he was recruited to play QB for the football team). He can slash to the rim and put it down, which he did many times over the summer. He's the kind of athlete Iowa has been lacking recently. The perimeter should be a strong point for the Hawks this year.
Thanks for your time Jay and we'll speak to you again soon.
Signing off, RL
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