Iowa looks for ways to get Melsahn Basabe involved on offense

IOWA CITY - If you add up Melsahn Basabe's scoring output for the last three games, it barely exceeds half his scoring average from last year.

Basabe, an Iowa sophomore forward, has totaled six points in losses to Creighton and Campbell plus a win against IPFW. Basabe averaged 11 points a game last year as a member of the Big Ten's all-freshman team.

The problems are multitiered for Basabe. First, he gained about 25 pounds since last season. While his frame can handle the weight, Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said, Basabe's quickness has suffered.

“Seemed like he was in great shape, but when you're carrying that extra weight, I think it requires a different level of conditioning that hasn't worked for him,” McCaffery said. “So we're trying to peel a little bit of weight off him, and just keep working with him and helping him stay positive.”

Basabe said he's now getting his legs back but conditioning is only part of his problem this year. It's more than just fighting for rebounds, which he averages more than two fewer per game than last year. It's about putting it on the line physically and mentally on each possession.

“I think my body is where it needs to be,” Basabe said. “I just think my mental focus needs to be just go hard the whole game and doing what I do best.”

McCaffery, Basabe and point guard Bryce Cartwright are looking for ways to get Basabe more involved in the offense. He's had five or fewer shots in each of Iowa's last four games. History suggests when Basabe doesn't get involved early in games or gets into foul trouble, he often struggles.

Cartwright said it's his responsibility to get Basabe the ball for easier baskets early in the game.

“I think he's the type of player that if he sees his first bucket go in early, it could be one of those nights for him,” Cartwright said. “So I think he needs some early encouragement.”

Basabe said he's been involved in practice, and the coaches have tracked his statistics to verify those numbers. He said it's about transferring those practice statistics to game situations.

“I work on my game so much that sometimes you can fall into the trap of trying be too precise,” Basabe said. “I think I kind of fell into that trap, trying to be too precise. I'm a better shooter this year. I improved my ball skills. But at the end of the day, you kind of go back to the basics and you've got to let your game come to you, you can't try to change yourself overnight.

“I think if I go off my instincts, then I'll let my experience sort of cut down on the negative parts of my game.”

McCaffery hopes losing the weight will help Basabe regain his freshman form.

“He's just not moving the same way,” McCaffery said. “He was quicker. He was faster. He was bouncier. I mean, he was all over the court. I do think he is thinking a little bit too much. He's trying to make too many moves. He's putting the ball on the deck more than he should.

“But, again, he's practiced well, so I know that he's capable of getting back to where he needs to be.”