Recruiting update: Where does Iowa go at guard after Cully Payne's departure?

Point guard Cully Payne's departure from the Iowa men's basketball program opens up a third scholarship for the spring and point guard seems a likely priority.

Iowa coaches have recruited point or combination guards from coast-to-coast this winter. They've gunned for top prep recruits like Eli Carter (Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H.) and Cezar Guerrero (Bellflower, Calif.). They've searched through the junior-college circuit and looked at guys like Pierre Jackson (College of Southern Idaho), Matt Glover (Sheridan [Wy.] Community College), Anthony Hubbard (Frederick [Md.] Community College) and Ty Nurse (Midland [Texas] College).

Now, Payne's departure underscores Iowa's need to find a backup for Bryce Cartwright, according to national recruiting analyst Van Coleman.

"I think they knew that (Payne's departure) might be coming; that's would be my guess and why they're recruiting point guards," said Coleman, who publishes www.Hot100Hoops.com. "They just missed on one of the top point guards in the country (Guerrero, who committed to Oklahoma State). They finished second, and that's what's going to happen when you recruit top-50 kids. That's going to happen a lot when you're going to build a program.

"Every time you go through a changeover you've got to swing for the fences. Once in a while you miss, but once in a while you get one. They didn't get Bryce Cartwright until the middle of May. There's no reason for any panic. They're already involved for with four or five (guards)."

Among those Iowa is looking at includes Jackson, a 5-foot-10 combination guard, who led the College of Southern Idaho to the junior-college national title. Jackson averaged 18.6 points and 4.4 assists a game and was the tournament MVP. Nurse, 6-1, averaged 9.1 points and 3.1 assists for a team that reached the national tournament.

Iowa also is looking at Glover, who will visit Nebraska this weekend. Glover stands 6-4, can play multiple positions and has three years left.

"The biggest thing is he's a very versatile player," Sheridan Community College Coach Steve Smiley said. "He can play multiple positions. He's getting recruited by different schools at different spots. Some see him as a point guard, some see him as a 2-3 He's big, strong. So that's the question in terms of what position is he going to play."

Glover averaged 12 points, five rebounds and four assists a game. Smiley said he and Glover will reassess his future after his visit to Nebraska.

Carter is the nation's top uncommitted prep point guard. Carter, 6-2, averaged 12 points and has a scholarship offer from Iowa, but has yet to schedule a visit. Another prep point guard, Cedar Rapids Washington's Wes Washpun, could also be in play. Washpun, 6-1, put up 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game for the Warriors.

"I think he's a kid who can still be in the mix," Coleman said of Washpun. "I think he still is. He is a pure point guard. Does he have some work to do? Yeah, he needs to work on his jump shot a lot. But as far as ball handling and delivering of the ball off the dribble, he's right there with all the kids that you're recruiting this time of year. He doesn't have

experience, but he has the abilities."

Hubbard, a 25-year-old sophomore, fits the mold as a true scorer. He's 6-5, averaged 21 points and 10.7 rebounds a game. He has a notorious history after serving nearly four years in prison for robbery. But on the court he provides the scoring potential that has Iowa interested.

"He's a tremendous offensive talent," Coleman said. "A guy who can break people down and win ballgames at the end. He's an excellent shooter who defenses have to really come out hard on him. He's got the ability to get to the basket off the dribble with either hand.

"He's a guy when you get to a close game you give him the basketball and you clear out and he goes. He's a guy that can win ballgames."