Iowa hoops exhales with Jok's return but changes remain drastic

IOWA CITY — Peter Jok's decision to stay at Iowa for another year gives the Hawkeyes hope next year won't be a complete basketball rebuild. But the changes will be drastic, nevertheless.

Four starters graduated on a team that qualified for three consecutive NCAA tournaments. The Hawkeyes lose 57 percent of their scoring, 59 percent of their minutes and 392 career starts. There's nothing easy about replacing those numbers, let alone the players who created them, like consensus All-American and likely NBA draft pick Jarrod Uthoff.

With Jok returning, Iowa has a chance to contend for another NCAA berth. Without him, a winning record might have been the barometer. Jok, a 6-foot-6 incoming senior shooting guard, averaged 16.1 points a game last year to finish eighth in the Big Ten. He also tied for sixth in steals (1.3). In league action, Jok became a weapon, putting up 17.3 points a night (sixth), ranking third in steals (1.5) and fourth in free-throw percentage (85.1). He finished fourth in 3-pointers (2.6 a game) and ninth in 3-point percentage (42.1).

When Jok is in a shooting groove, few in the league are better. He tied a career-high with 29 points against Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament. In a 9-minute, 8-second stretch overlapping both halves, Jok scored 25 points, all but four of Iowa's total. He connected on seven straight shots — including four 3-pointers — and hit all five free throws.

'You have a guy who's proven to be one of the best players in our league,' Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said. 'Any time you have a guy like that coming back, it will help your team. It particularly helps a young team.'

Jok clearly is the most skilled player returning, and Iowa will need him. The Hawkeyes' holdovers from a 22-11 squad (12-6 Big Ten) are untested in starring roles. Junior forward Dom Uhl (6-9) is the only other returnee averaging at least 15 minutes and 6.0 points a game. Sophomore forward Nicholas Baer (6-7), who earned a scholarship last month, put up 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14.5 minutes of action. Sophomore center/forward Ahmad Wagner (6-7) played 10.1 minutes a game but scored 2.6 points and grabbed 2.6 rebounds with narrow responsibilities.

Red-shirt sophomore Brady Ellingson (6-4) averaged 2.8 points and 9.1 minutes in 27 games but fell out of the rotation by season's end. Sophomore Christian Williams (6-6) replaced Ellingson late in the season and scored eight points in a showdown against Indiana but appeared in only 20 games. Senior forward Dale Jones (6-7) excepted to become a vital contributor but suffered a torn ACL after six games and continues to rehab. Freshman Isaiah Moss (6-5) red-shirted last year.

Iowa also has five incoming freshmen who look to contribute. In-state recruits include 6-1 guard Jordan Bohannon (25.8 points 5.3 rebounds) of Linn-Mar, 6-8 forward Cordell Pemsl (21.3 points, 10.5 rebounds) of Dubuque Wahlert and 6-10 Spirit Lake post Ryan Kriener (22.4 points, 11.8 rebounds). From out of state, Iowa signed 6-9 St. Louis Chaminade forward Tyler Cook (12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds) and 6-6 shooting guard Maishe Dailey (13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds) from Beechwood (Ohio).

While that's a young, inexperienced lot, it's also perhaps the most athletic group of players at Iowa under McCaffery. Williams and Bohannon will battle for the point. Uhl, Baer and Wagner should contend for starting front-line roles. Jones' health and Moss' growth are wild cards, as are the freshmen. Cook, a four-star recruit, is highly touted and should become an immediate contributor. Unlike Iowa's more recent, veteran-heavy squads, immediate playing time for Iowa's freshmen this year is possible.

'I'm just really excited to come back and play with the young guys,' Jok said. 'We've got really talented young guys. We might not have a lot of experience, but they're really talented and athletic. I think we're going to be the most athletic team in the last ... I don't know how long. Everybody can run, shoot, dribble. I'm excited to come back to play with the guys and lead them, be a good leader and work on my leadership.'

'I think we've put together a team that has the kind of a versatility and weapons that (Jok) needs around him,' McCaffery said. 'Three-point shooting, low-post threats, depth, size, a much bigger team that we had last year, if you look at us physically. Even though we're a young team, we're not a young, skinny team. We've got some bodies that are ready to compete, and that can only help (Jok).'

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