Saturday, August 25, 2012

2012-2013 Updated Roster:


Seniors:  
F/G-25-Eric May-6-5/217-Dubuque, Iowa
#F-11-Christopher Rickert-6-3/180-Sioux City, Iowa

Juniors:
G/F-4-Roy Devyn Marble-6-6/194-Southfield, Michigan
F-1-Melsahn Basabe-6-7/225-Glen Cove, NY
F-15-Zach McCabe-6-7/232-Sioux City, IA

Sophomores:  
F-30-Aaron White-6-8/225-Strongsville, OH
G-2-Josh Oglesby-6-5/185-Cedar Rapids, IA
C-0-Gabriel Olaseni-6-10/225-London, England
#F-35-Darius Stokes-6-7/203-Cedar Rapids, IA
#G-13-Kyle Denning-6-2/175-Cedar Falls, IA

Freshmen:
G-10-Mike Gesell-6-1/180-South Sioux City, NE
C-34-Adam Woodbury-7-1/230-Sioux City, IA
*F-20-Jarrod Uthoff-6-8/200-Cedar Rapids, IA
G-5-Anthony Clemmons-6-1/190-Lansing, MI
G-24-Patrick Ingram-6-2/190-Indianapolis, IN
F/C-42-Kyle Meyer-6-10/220-Alpharetta, GA

#walk-on
*redshirt freshman
source:  hawkeyesports.com



Other Top Candidates To Start:

Earlier I predicted that Roy Devyn Marble, Aaron White, and Mike Gesell are near sure bets to start. Now I will predict the other top candidates to start for the final 2 spots.  Obviously, it matters who finishes a game more than who starts, but it is still fun to speculate as a fan.  Gesell will be at the point.  However, Marble and White can play numerous positions.  Marble could start at the 2 or 3.  White could play at either forward position.  This gives Iowa a lot of flexibility and options.  Here are some top candidates to start:

F-Zach McCabe-6-7/JR
(wcfcourier.com)
The Sioux City Heelan product played last year as a undersized post player.  This year, McCabe should be able to move to his more natural power forward position.  The key for McCabe was to stay out of foul trouble.  Still when McCabe stayed out of foul trouble; he did have some big games for Iowa.  He finished with 7.8ppg and 4.6 rpg.   

McCabe may not be the most talented player on the basketball court, but few bring as much toughness, effort, and physicality than McCabe brings.  Not only does he bring scoring from inside, but also can shoot from the outside.   McCabe shot 44.9 % from behind the three point arch.

F-Melsahn Basabe-6-7/JR
 (hawkcentral.com)
Basabe had a disappointing season as a sophomore.  The former Siena recruit was a surprise player as a freshmen.  The New York native started all 31 games as a freshman and averaged 11.0 ppg and 6.7rpg.      Many fans were expecting big things for Mel, and may have entered his sophomore year with overhyped expectations.  However, I think fans, coaches, and Mel himself were at least expecting improvement between his first and second years.  That did not happen as Mel lost his starting position and averaged 8.2 and 4.8.   Sometimes Basabe's appeared laid back demeanor would frustrate fans.  Melsahn seemed to come out of his slump towards the end of the year and everyone hopes that is a sign of things to come.  

From all accounts; Basabe is a great teammate and a leader off the court.  With the progression of sophomore Gabe Olaseni and freshman Adam Woodbury at the center position; Basabe should be bound for a very good junior year.  Few big men in the Big Ten have Basabe's athletic ability.  Basabe also brings shot blocking ability to the team.  In my opinion, for Iowa to make the big dance this year, they will need a very good year from Basabe.


F/G-Eric May-6-5/SR
(hawkeyereport.com)
A lot of fans are forgetting about the senior from Dubuque.  May will be the only scholarship senior on the roster and will give the team a veteran leader.  As a junior, May recorded many career lows in numerous stats as he battled a back injury.  Last year he played just 14 minutes a game and often was not seen in the second half.  However, May is still a very good athlete and brings a lot of strength to the wing position.

G-Josh Oglesby-6-5/SO
(thegazette.com)
Oglesby will have to replace some of Matt Gatens's outside shooting.  He could start at the 2 and slide Marble to the 3.  As a freshman Oglesby averaged 6.4 ppg and shot 37.2% from behind the arch.  Oglesby was a little to hesitant as a freshman and needs to be more aggressive this year.  However, the Cedar Rapids native has proved that he can play in the Big Ten and should get only better.  I would like a backcourt of Gesell, Oglesby, and Marble in together.  

C-Adam Woodbury-7-1/FR
(hawkcentral.com)
Woodbury was a huge get for Iowa.  Choosing Iowa over North Carolina was huge for the Hawkeyes and the program's turnaround.  Iowa fans are rightfully so excited for the 4 star big man.  But, it is usually a tougher transition to the college game for big men.  The lefty is known for running well up and down the court and playing defense so he should start eventually. 

C-Gabe Olaseni-6-10/SO

(hawkcentral.com)
Iowa coaches really wanted to redshirt the product from England last year, but could not due to lack of depth and injuries to the post position.  Gabe averaged 5 minutes as a freshman and often looked very out of place.  However, he did show more potential as the season went on and reportedly looked much more improved during the Prime Time League.   Olaseni is a nice defender and I would not be surprised if he is Iowa's starting center on November 9th against Texas-Pan American.  Starter or not, Olaseni will be counted on being a key contributor next year.  

My Predictions of the Starting Five Against Texas Pan-American:
PG-Mike Gesell
SG-Roy Devyn Marble
SF-Aaron White
PF-Zach McCabe
C-Gabe Olaseni

My Predictions of the Starting Five When the Big Ten Season Starts:
PG-Mike Gesell
SG-Roy Devyn Marble
SF-Aaron White
PF-Melsahn Basabe
C-Adam Woodbury



Friday, July 6, 2012

Possible New Walkon?

There are some rumors that Iowa will have a new walkon next year.  His name is Okey Ukah.  He is 6-7 and played at Kirkwood last year.  He graduated from Iowa City West.


3 Players Who Will Start for Sure:


G-Roy Devyn Marble-6-6/Jr.   
Roy Marble's kids has really become a nice player.  He was not very highly recruited out of high school and was kind of the fourth recruit of Coach Lick's last recruiting class that included Cody Larson, Ben Brust, and Zach McCabe.  Luckily for Iowa, Marble stayed with Iowa when Coach Lick left.  I think he is a better fit for Fran's system anyway.  Last year he played some point but should be able to move back to the wing which is his more natural position.  I expect him to play the 1, 2, and 3 this year.  With the graduation of Matt Gatens, Marble will need to improve his stats from last year(11.5ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 3.6 apg).  There are rumors about him going pro after this year.  If that happens, then he will have to make as much improvements from his sophmore to junior year as he did from his freshman to sophmore year.  If he is good enough to go pro, Iowa will end their NCAA drought.

F-Aaron White-6-8/So.  
When Iowa signed White, I just looked at him as a "fall back recruit" due to not signing Uthoff.  Then during his senior year, I was hearing nice things about him and I was more excited.  Boy, I was not disappointed last year.  White had one of the better freshman seasons for a Hawkeye in quite a while.  White was third in the team in scoring(11.1ppg).  White led the team in rebounding averaging 5.7 rpg.  White did most of his damage inside, he was able to stretch the defense from time to time as well.  If White can improve his three point shooting next year he can cause headaches for opponents next year.  

G-Mike Gesell-6-1/Fr.  

Most people think that Adam Woodbury will be a sure thing but he might get competition from sophmore Gabe Olaseni or Zach McCabe(if they go small).  However, Gesell should start from the start and give Iowa two red heads in their starting 5.  First he will allow Marble to move to the wing.  Marble will also help take pressure off the true frosh playing the point.  I have never seen him play, but I have been told he is a true point guard who can shoot and plays with confidence beyond his years.  It has been awhile since Iowa has had a true point guard (Dean Oliver?).  I know it is PTL, but his stats (22.0ppg, 6.0 apg) have been impressive.

Analysis:  I am not sure where Marble or White will start but they will start.  Marble will play the 2 or 3.  White will play the 3 or 4.  No matter where they start they both will play different positions.  That is one of the things I like about this Iowa team.  They have so many kids that can play multiple positions.  I know I would not be surprised if Gesell will play some 2 as well as he is such a good shooter.  

Current Iowa Basketball Roster for 2012-2013


Seniors:
F-25-Eric May-6-5/217 
*F-14-Christopher Rickert-6-3/180
Juniors:
G/F-4-Roy Devyn Marble-6-6/194
F-1-Mesahn Basabe-6-7/225
F-15-Zach McCabe-6-7/225
*G-14-Steven McCarty-6-0/160
*F-3-Cody Cox-6-4/190
Sophmores:
F-30-Aaron White-6-8/225
G-2-Josh Oglesby-6-5/185
C-0-Gabe Olaseni-6-10/225
F-  -Jared Uthoff-6-8/190
*F-34-Darius Stokes-6-7/190
*G-13-Kyle Denning-6-2/175
Freshmen:
G-Mike Gesell-6-2/180
C-Adam Woodbury-7-0/230
G-Anthony Clemmons-6-1/185
G-Patrick Ingram-6-3/180
F/C-Kyle Meyer-6-9/220

*walkon