I feel like Tate Sage will have a pretty big jump but I really feel that Kael Combs will take a big step forward without Bennett
Breakout Players for this year
- Thread starter kdhawk_rivals345464
- Start date
I'm anxious to see how everyone does. Really intrigued with Thompson after hearing reports he's pretty good. Sage was great as a freshman, he showed a lot of poise. Then you got coon, harris..exc exc. It's hard to pick one. Can’t wait for the season to start
Itll be a more balanced te that's for sure. Probably more talented overall too
Yessir. We may be looking at a 6'4-7'3 starting lineup this season. McKeever is a good passer. Not sure about his rim protection. I don't think he was labeled as a rim protector at St. Mary's. For the season last year, he averaged eight points per game, but had under one block per game. I hope Ben and staff can develop him more in the way of a rim protector, than just being a "Presence" around the rim.
I wouldn't be too worried about McKeever's block numbers. He more than likely had low block numbers due to a low amount of minutes and because no one wants to shoot a layup when there is a 7'3 guy around him, so instead they either pass, shoot a pull-up mid range or shoot a difficult layup. He can be a rim protector without high block numbers because of his height.
I'm going with Trey. I hope he's as good as has been advertised 
I think koch is going to be one of the leaders.
I think he could very easily be our leading scorer this year.I'm going with Trey. I hope he's as good as has been advertised
Rewatching some video on his game... he's got a lot of Nick Martinelli to his game. Little taller and more athletic, but just has a scorers mentality and punishes mismatches. A 3-level scorer.
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Some former Iowa players who had the “IT” factor: Stirtz, Keegan, Garza, Bohannon (sometimes). Tate has it.
Sage was terrific late in the season and really blossomed in the tourney. I love watching him play, and I expect him to be terrific this season as a sophomore.
I think Jirak is going to surprise a lot of people in a very positive way. I was surprised and disappointed Ben didn't give him some run vs. Illinois.
Tate Sage singled out Jirak as a player to keep your eye on in a recent interview. His development coupled with the acquisition of McKeever represents a significant step forward in our ability to compete with these teams like Illinois that have some size.
Mckeever at the 5 and Cam at the 4
That's Big Ten caliber for sure
That's Big Ten caliber for sure
Yes, would be tough for spacing.
At least McKeever can pass.
But what's interesting if both McKeever and Cam start, is Cam would actually be the 3, as that's who he'd be guarding. That would allow Koch to guard the 4.
In that case, Cam could get size mismatches inside and be more than a handful on the O-glass.
Then again, teams can cross-match vs Iowa, as the Hawks won't punish them for it in transition.
Certainly a strong rebounding lineup
Ethan Harris is a gym rat and a relentless worker as well so curious on his development and potential PT. Was def a steal out of the Northwest!
The next Aaron White?
I think Howard will step it up quite a bit. Not saying he will start, but will make the needed improvement either way.
I’m going with Ty’Reek Coleman to fill a bunch of the void left by Stirtz. Tate Sage and Kael Combs should have big years too.
Howard just needs to shoot it better. His form looked decent so I think it’ll come. He plays hard and has really good athleticism.
Not many similarities after hair color and height.
Harris actually listed as a guard
And who was he going to guard in that game? He barely played all season and there was a reason for that. He was painfully slow. He looks much fitter this year so hopefully he can contribute.
Agreed. Its all about confidence for him IMO
The BIG ain't getting any easier this season.
UCLA just landed a top 6'9" guard from Serbia.
He started playing pro ball for Barcelona at 14, youngest to make their top team
Now 17, he will not be eligible for NBA til 2028 and is currently projected as the #1 pick overall.
UCLA has 4 guys back and have 4 power league transfers coming in...2 of them euros.
They must have found some cash at UCLA.
Illini have a 6'7" euro pg coming in....the size of guards continue to grow...Ethan harris and tate sage and howard and coon are thankfully good size.
Not sure hawks will have star this year....a good ensemble can work.
UCLA just landed a top 6'9" guard from Serbia.
He started playing pro ball for Barcelona at 14, youngest to make their top team
Now 17, he will not be eligible for NBA til 2028 and is currently projected as the #1 pick overall.
UCLA has 4 guys back and have 4 power league transfers coming in...2 of them euros.
They must have found some cash at UCLA.
Illini have a 6'7" euro pg coming in....the size of guards continue to grow...Ethan harris and tate sage and howard and coon are thankfully good size.
Not sure hawks will have star this year....a good ensemble can work.
I saw him on the sideline but not playing. Those scrimmages are physical. Every player had active hands.
I think he scored a bunch in hs. Hopefully it's coming
I would assume he will be molded to be more assertive on the defensive end in his new system. I can see him being more active at the rim.
Obviously Ben looked at what it would take to beat the likes of Purdue, Michigan and Illinois who were all huge last year. McKeever won’t be a big numbers guy but we needed more size in the post clearly. Plus it gives us more versatility and fouls to give. We’re clearly going to need some of our young guys to continue to step up, in particular Koch and Sage as scorers but I think they will. To me the biggest question still is pt guard obviously, can Combs step up and actually be the man as needed.
Good post and I agree with your take on Koch and Sage as the primary scorers. I don't think Combs has to become "the man" per se. We won't get the scoring we did from Stirtz but that will come other places. I thought Combs did a good job running the point on the rare occasions when Stirtz sat and he defends really well IMO. He gets into the lane well and with the scoring we will get from the wings that should open things up for Kael. Combs may surprise with his shooting as at times last season he did show he can hit the 3.