Harty: Evaluating Iowa’s freshmen with help from the PTL
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa – The Prime Time League usually gives fans and media members their first glimpse of the newcomers on the Iowa men’s basketball team.
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery will have five newcomers when practice starts in October. Four of them are participating in the PTL this summer.
It’ll actually be six newcomers with guard Isaiah Moss also preparing to make his Hawkeye debut after being redshirted last season.
Ryan Kriener, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Spirit Lake, is the only incoming freshmen who who hasn’t played in the PTL so far because of health reasons. Kriener has received medical clearance and still might join a PTL roster this summer.
Here are my impressions of his five future teammates after watching two sessions of the Prime Time League.
Tyler Cook: The St. Louis native shows signs of being as good as advertised. We won’t know for sure until the 6-8, 240-pound Cook plays in real prime, but there is reason to be excited.
Cook moves well for somebody his size. He gets off the floor quickly and attacks the rim on offense in the same aggressive fashion that former Iowa forward Reggie Evans used to attack it on defense for rebounds.
Cook seems comfortable using both hands and he might actually dunk better with his left hand despite being right handed.
He also has shown an ability to make 3-point shots, along with having a variety of post moves near the basket, using either hand.
Whether Cook starts as a freshman is irrelevant because he will make an impact either way. There was a reason he had multiple power five scholarship offers, along with a four-star ranking, and we’re seeing some of those reasons in the Prime Time League.
Maishe Dailey: The 6-5 Ohio native has a smoothness about his game. Dailey has a soft touch from the perimeter and is a decent ball handler. He also plays with poise and never seems in a hurry.
He needs to get stronger in order to withstand the pounding in the rugged Big Ten. But that should come with time.
If Dailey can makes shots in real prime time and hold his own on defense, he might have a role next season. But he also might be a redshirt candidate because that would allow him to gain strength.
Isaiah Moss: The 6-5 redshirt freshman from Chicago isn’t bashful about shooting as evidenced by Thursday’s game in which he made 12-of-20 field-goal attempts.
Moss will be counted on this season to make shots from the perimeter because defenses will be designed to stop all-Big Ten guard Peter Jok.
Moss has been working hard this summer to get ready for that challenge, attempting at least 800 shots on a daily basis.
"Everybody is trying to show the coaches that they have what it takes to play," Moss said after Thursday’s PTL game in which he scored 25 points. "Everybody is giving 100 percent."
Jordan Bohannon: He hasn’t really caught fire in the PTL, but his perimeter shot is probably the least of McCaffery’s worries.
Bohannon has a quick release and good elevation on his jump shot, which is crucial for any guard in the Big Ten, but especially one listed at 6-1, as is the case with Bohannon.
The former Linn-Mar star probably could be effective right away as a 3-point shooter if he had the luxury of playing off the point and getting open looks.
But with Iowa’s roster, Bohannon might not have that luxury.
He is expected to compete with 6-6 sophomore Christian Williams for the starting point guard position. Both players have a ways to go defensively, but they each bring a contrasting style.
"The competition in practice this summer has been incredible," Bohannon said. We’re all pushing each other to get better."
Bohannon will earn minutes next season if he can make shots and not be a liability on defense. It won’t matter what position he plays if his shots are falling. McCaffery will find a role for him.
Cordell Pemsl: The Dubuque Wahlert graduate finally is healthy after being hobbled by a knee injury in high school. Pemsl scored 22 points in Thursday’s PTL game, making 10-of-13 field-goal attempts.
The 6-8 forward rarely forces the issue or takes a bad shot – even in the PTL – which shows maturity. Pemsl has a nice touch from about 12 feet and enough girth to withstand the pounding in the Big Ten.
Pemsl and Cook are building a friendship while living together this summer. Power forward is probably the ideal position for both of them. But they also have enough talent and size to play together.
Pemsl said he is focusing this summer on his agility and ball handling.
"I’ve always been confident shooting the ball, so I know if I keep shooting they’re going to fall," Pemsl said Thursday. "I have a good-looking jump shot and we have all the access to get in (the gym) and get shots off."