McCaffery: Competition fierce at guard

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Iowa's competition at both guard spots have been fierce since camp opened nearly two weeks ago, but Coach Fran McCaffery likes what he sees so far.

Mike Gesell, a junior, started every game at point guard last year but will play shooting guard as well. Sophomore Trey Dickerson, a junior-college transfer, and junior Anthony Clemmons have worked out at the point, and Clemmons has played some shooting guard. Senior Josh Oglesby and sophomore Peter Jok are neck-and-neck at off-guard.

Gesell led the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio last year and averaged 8.7 points per game.

'(Gesell) was just OK at the start,' McCaffery said. 'I think he was pressing a little bit. But he's been spectacular since. Dickerson has looked good. Oglesby and Jok have been tremendous. Clemmons has been consistent as well. So we've got five options there that we really like.'

McCaffery praised Clemmons, who appears sleeker and more confident. Clemmons started 13 games as a freshman but his time wanted as a sophomore. He averaged just 7.1 minutes a game in Big Ten play.

'He's more like he was as a freshman,' McCaffery said. 'He's in the best shape of his life. He's doing more things defensively, which we recruited him for, put some pressure on the ball, be a tough guy, (and) obviously his ability to play both spots.

'He's better at the one, I think. He's better with the ball. He's got good vision, and he seems to score better when he's playing point than when he's playing the off-guard position. But he's a capable scorer.'

Replacing Devyn Marble, who was drafted by the Orlando Magic, is the key for the back court. Marble took 436 shots last year, 196 more than any other guard. He also averaged 30.2 minutes a game and was a first-team all-Big Ten selection.

Oglesby missed the first 12 games last year after breaking his foot. He averaged 6.6 points and played 19.5 minutes a game. He had 27 assists, 10 steals and only 10 turnovers. He finished second to Marble in 3-pointers (31) and knocked down 40.3 percent from 3-point range.

Jok competed in 27 games last year and averaged 9.4 minutes and 4.4 points. He provided a spark for Iowa in the team's NCAA tournament game against Tennessee, scoring 10 points in 16 minutes. He sank 4-of-5 shots, including a pair of 3-pointers.

'It's been Josh and Pete,' McCaffery said. 'Josh has really been playing well. They're both playing well. Josh has been shooting it really lights out.'

RECRUITING UPDATE

Iowa has three commitments for its 2015 class, which can sign letters of intent on Nov. 12. They include forward Ahmad Wagner (6-foot-7) from Huber Heights, Ohio, forward Brandon Hutton (6-6) of Chicago and shooting guard Andrew Fleming (6-4), who plays at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

The Hawkeyes still have two available scholarships. McCaffery said he's still unsure if he'll use one or both this fall and or hang on and use them in the spring.

'We might still go after somebody,' he said. 'We're not going to rush into anything. We really feel good about the '16 class. It's nice to have multiple scholarships.'

Iowa has a commitment from Dubuque Wahlert junior forward Cordell Pemsl (6-7) in the 2016 class. Connor McCaffery, the coach's oldest son, is a sophomore guard at Iowa City West and has committed to the program in 2017.

IOWA IN OPENING POLL

The Hawkeyes were one of six teams ranked in the inaugural USA Today Coaches' Poll, opening at No. 25. the others include Wisconsin (4), Michigan State (18), Ohio State (20), Nebraska (21) and Michigan (23). Iowa State was ranked No. 14 to open the season.

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