Hawkeyes’ Hutton vies to become B1G’s best defender

NORTH LIBERTY - In just a week's time, Brandon Hutton has shown Prime Time League spectators what the Iowa coaching staff has known about him all along.

Privately, assistant coaches used words like 'grit” and 'toughness” to describe Hutton's intensity way before he stepped on campus as a student. In PTL action, the freshman wing from Chicago dives for loose balls and plays defense, something that happens sporadically in any summer-league basketball

Hutton's effort is as authentic as his desire to dominate. He's got enough perspective to know his offensive game will improve over time. But it's on defense where he believes he can make a mark, and that's his goal.

'I want to work my way up to being the best defensive player in the Big Ten,” Hutton said. 'Right now, if my role is to come in and shut the best scorer down on the opposite team, I will do so. As I get older and as I grow and as I develop, then my role will change. But right now I'm just really based on being the best defensive player that I can be for Iowa.”

Already Hutton has the physical skills to contribute. He appears taller than 6-foot-5, and he has long arms that obstruct perimeter shots. He also has natural strength and a frame to put on weight.

But it's his intensity that's obvious and contagious.

'Hutton is an elite athlete,” Iowa senior guard Mike Gesell said. 'He's super athletic, super long. He has potential to be one of the best defenders in the Big Ten. That's something he understands. We've talked to him about that. That's something that he's going to look to do every day, be guarding Pete (Jok), he's going to be guarding me, (Anthony) Clemmons, Brady (Ellingson). All us guys and at the same time making us better.”

Hutton understands it's the details that change possessions on defense. That's why he brings intensity with every movement.

'Really that's what wins games,” Hutton said. 'You've got a good player that's out there that's going hard no matter what, diving on the floor for loose balls, or loud, talking, active hands, that's going down to the offensive side sooner or later. You want to capitalize a lot on defense. That's why I really think I can excel right now.”

Hutton played high school ball at Chicago's De La Salle and averaged about 14 points eight rebounds and five assists last year. He was Iowa's first commit for the 2015 class and did so at a low point in the Hawkeyes' 2013-14 season. Iowa dropped their regular-season finale to Illinois on a 3-pointer inside the final second. Yet Hutton committed to the Hawkeyes that night.

Assistant coach Andrew Francis was instrumental in bringing Hutton to Iowa. Even during the recruiting process Francis motivated Hutton. Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery's passion solidified the Hutton's choice.

'Coach Fran, he coaches with fire and desire for the game,” Hutton said. 'If I can play for someone who loves the game as much as I do, that's really great.”

The weekly workouts and PTL games show Hutton embodies a mentally tough approach.

'I can score. I can score the ball,” Hutton said. 'I'm a damn good slasher. I can shoot the midrange. I can shoot the 3. My 3-ball has started to improve. I just want to take a step at a time. For me to be successful right now, I really think I can be the best defender on this team.”

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