Fuller, Tucker impressive

IOWA CITY - Iowa unveiled its new-look men's basketball team Sunday seeking signs of improvement and cohesiveness.

There were plenty of positives in the Hawkeyes' 76-53 exhibition win over NAIA Marian (Ind.) University at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa also had tape of its deficiencies one week before its first game.

As for the positives, bulked-up sophomore Aaron Fuller pulled down 15 rebounds, including 12 defensively. He scored seven points and played 22 minutes. Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter wondered in his postgame news conference if Marian's players were blocking out Fuller or if his 6-foot-6 forward was just overly aggressive. Of course Fuller said his opponent was boxing him out.

“That's just sheer will also,” Fuller said, “just having a knack to where the ball is at and just wanting to go get it and make sure they only get one shot.”

Sophomore guard Anthony Tucker returned to the court for the first time since January when he was declared academically ineligible. Tucker scored a game-high 21 points and hit five three-pointers despite a nagging back sprain.

“I haven't done it for a while, so it was new,” Tucker said. “I was

excited to be back out there. I had a lot of fun, which made it a little easy.”

Lickliter wouldn't declare Tucker totally back to his previous form. Through his first six games last year, Tucker averaged nearly 18 points a game. He didn't start on Sunday but played 24 minutes and hit 7 of 13 shots.

“I think Anthony has got a skill that you have to work at, but it's one that you should appreciate,” Lickliter said. “We feel like when he gets an open look, that's when he gets in trouble if he doesn't shoot.”

Sophomore guard Matt Gatens provided balance with 14 points and three assists. Senior guard Devan Bawinkel hit four three-pointers to continue his perimeter trend. All but one of Bawinkel's field goals last year were three-pointers.

Three Iowa freshmen played significant minutes. Point guard Cully Payne started and scored three points, dished six assists and grabbed two rebounds in 29 minutes. He also had three turnovers.

Eric May, who swings between guard and forward, played 27 minutes and had seven rebounds. Center Brennan Cougill scored six points and pulled down five rebounds in 19 minutes.

Lickliter preached patience and possession basketball with his younger players.

“You don't ever hurry up and win,” Lickliter said. “You execute, you execute and you stay the course.”

Iowa shot 46.7 percent from the field and sank 14 three-pointers. Next Sunday, Iowa hosts Texas-San Antonio in its season opener.

“There's no more make believe from here on out,” Lickliter said.