Iowa's Cougill bounces back with key contributions

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Perhaps Brennan Cougill was naive when he came to Iowa as a super-sized 6-foot-9 freshman seven months ago.

Cougill, Iowa's reigning prep Mr. Basketball after a superb career at Sioux City Heelan, started five of Iowa's first seven games. His play was up-and-down, and later his minutes reflect his contributions. His minutes steadily declined, going down to a combined three minutes in a pair of victories two weeks ago.

“I came from high school, and I was just the star of the team,” Cougill said. “I didn't expect very many subs, even if you were tired. Coming to D-I, everybody can play.”

In Iowa's last two games, Cougill's minutes have increased along with his production. Cougill scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and had two assists in 13 minutes during Iowa's 58-43 win at Indiana on Sunday. Coming off the bench and spelling center Jarryd Cole or forward Aaron Fuller now is Cougill's specialty.

“In all aspects you've just got to embrace your role,” Cougill said. “Once I started to understand that role, I got a little more comfortable. When I've got the opportunity to make shots, I've got to make them. I had to be smart, and I just had to hold my own on the defensive end.”

Cougill proved his on-court value during a pivotal stretch against Indiana. With the Hawkeyes up 34-31, Cougill sank a 3-pointer, then ran down the court and grabbed a defensive rebound. He then went back down the court and hit another 3-pointer to put Iowa up 40-31. Indiana never seriously threatened Iowa the rest of the game.

But Cougill, who averages 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds a game, still is a ways off in conditioning, and needs to become stronger in the post. He's aware those deficiencies keep him from making more than just sporadic contributions.

“I don't think in any way I'm prepared to play 40 minutes,” Cougill said. “I don't know how much I could go for, but I don't think there's any way I could play 40 minutes at all. I won't be able to play the whole game. It's physical. It surprised me.”