A look back at this season, and a look ahead to next season
Iowa will have different look without Luka Garza, Jordan Bohannon and possibly Joe Wieskamp
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – As much as Iowa fans don’t want to be reminded about this right now, Luka Garza is a former Hawkeye.
So is Jordan Bohannon, and perhaps Joe Wieskamp should he choose to skip his senior season to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft.
That’s arguably the greatest player in program history, the most statistically accomplished point guard in program history, and an All-Big Ten honoree that would have to be replaced.
That’s a lot points, a lot of 3-point baskets, rebounds, assists, steals and veteran experience that would have to be replaced.
A lot victories also have occurred with those three players leading they way, including 22 this season.
All three players could also return next season since this current season is considered a free year due to the global pandemic.
But Garza and Bohannon already have gone through Senior Day and plan to move on, with Garza’s sights on the NBA.
The loss of Garza and Bohannon will create a huge void, one that will impact Iowa in the paint, on the perimeter, in practice, and in the locker room.
Garza for the past two seasons has been a dominant offensive force, someone Fran McCaffery could count on for at least 20 points and about 10 rebounds in every game.
Garza was a model of consistency these past two seasons, and he made it easier for his teammates to find space because defenses paid so much attention to him.
Bohannon is arguably the greatest clutch shooter in program history and he leaves Iowa as the all-time leader in assists and 3-point field goals made. He was also virtually automatic from the free throw line.
But on the flipside, the 6-foot-1 Bohannon was often a defensive liability for Iowa, and defense certainly wasn’t Garza’s strength.
Iowa’s defense was shredded in Monday’s 95-80 loss to Oregon in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and during stretches of the regular season.
It’s something that has to be addressed, and part of that process might just come from a change in personnel, especially at point guard where Joe Toussaint excels on defense due partly to his quickness. Toussaint can pressure the ball, stop the ball in transition and stay in front of Big Ten point guards, and just that alone, could make Iowa better on defense.
Freshman Keegan Murray also excelled on defense this season and can guard multiple positions as a 6-8 forward. The next step in his development will be to improve as a perimeter shooter.
One of the biggest storylines heading into the offseason is the health status of 6-11 forward Jack Nunge, who is currently recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee.
It was Nunge’s second season-ending knee injury as a Hawkeye, but he is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for next season.
Nunge has had stretches where he played exceptionally well, and he can score inside and on the perimeter.
He could step into a starring role now that Garza has moved on.
“I think we have a really good core of young guys who experienced what it’s like to have winning people in your program and how to prepare and how to compete,” said Fran McCaffery. “So I’m really excited for the future.”
The problem with writing an obit and looking ahead to next season so soon after the season ends is the uncertainty with the roster, especially during this age of the NCAA transfer portal.
That isn’t to suggest that any Iowa players are considering transferring. But it would be naïve to think that it’s not a possibility.
Iowa could also add a graduate transfer, or two, and restocking in the post and adding another 3-point shooter would make sense, or maybe an athletic combo guard who can defend.
Whatever happens, Iowa will look different next season without the 6-11 Garza patrolling the paint, and without Bohannon launching 3-pointers.
Expectations probably won’t be nearly as high as they were this season when Iowa was ranked fifth in the Associated Press preseason poll. Iowa also finished third in the Big Ten standings, but then failed to advance beyond the second round of the NCAA Tournament, causing some to have mixed emotions about the season.
Fran McCaffery revealed after Monday loss that his son, 6-5 junior guard Connor McCaffery, has a torn labrum in both hips that will require surgery in the offseason.
The injuries will keep Connor McCaffery from playing with the Iowa baseball team this spring, but he should be ready by next basketball season.
Connor McCaffery has been a two-year starter and should be a key piece next season, assuming he’s healthy.
He is Iowa’s best passer and can guard multiple shooters. But Connor McCaffery struggles as a 3-point shooter.
Iowa has relied heavily on 3-point shooting throughout Fran McCaffery’s time as head coach, and that was especially true this season due largely to Bohannon, Garza and Wieskamp.
Sophomore guard C.J. Fredrick is also a reliable 3-point shooter, but he has benefitted from playing alongside Bohannon and Wieskamp on the perimeter, and with Garza.
It was easy for Fredrick to find space on the perimeter while playing with other 3-point shooters. But it probably won’t be as easy next season based on the returning personnel.
Freshman forward Kris Murray, who is Keegan Murray’s twin brother, is known more as a perimeter shooter than his brother, and that could earn Kris playing time next season after he played little this season.
The 6-3 Fredrick was hampered by an undisclosed lower leg injury for most of the season, including Monday’s loss to Oregon. The offseason will give him time to finally get healthy.
Wieskamp also injured his Achilles tendon in the loss to Oregon, and it’s uncertain if that will impact his decision about returning next season.
Forward Patrick McCaffery, who is also Fran McCaffery’s son, showed flashes of brilliance this season, and he played well in the loss to Oregon on Monday. Patrick gives his father a 6-9 versatile scorer who fits perfectly in Iowa’s fast-pace offense.
Shooting guard Tony Perkins also had some positive moments as a true freshman this season, and should have a bigger role next season, especially if he proves to be reliable 3-point shooter.
This offseason will be critical for freshman center Josh Ogundele, who played little behind Garza this season. Ogundele came to Iowa late in the summer from England, and then battled with illness for part of the season and fell behind.
And while Toussaint would be considered the favorite to replace Bohannon at point guard, true freshman Ahron Ulis is expected to compete with him for minutes.
Ulis also had some moments this season when he played well, but he didn’t play enough to know for sure about his potential.
At this point, Iowa only has one player in the incoming recruiting class, and that’s high school senior Payton Sandfort, a 6-7 small forward from Waukee. Sandfort should help Iowa as a perimeter shooter.
But rosters are fluid and a lot can change between now and the start of next season.
What won’t change is that Luka Garza and Jordan Bohannon, and possibly Joe Wieskamp, have played their last game as a Hawkeye