Analysis: What does Anthony Hubbard's commitment mean for Iowa in 2011-12?

If Anthony Hubbard is the player that most observers think he is - dynamic scorer, hard-nosed, aggressive, solid ball-handler - he dramatically improves Iowa next year.

Hubbard, who has two years remaining, appears to be the scoring threat Iowa has lacked in recent years. He's 6-foot-5 and weighs 220 pounds, and his junior-college coach, Dave Miller, said Hubbard can handle the Big Ten's physical play.

"He's got a Big Ten body," said Miller, who has coached Frederick (Md.) Community College for 17 years. "He's 6-5, 220. That's Big Ten basketball. That's physical. He's got the body, he can finish at the hole, he's athletic, he's fearless ..."

Hubbard naturally translates to a wing guard position. He scored nearly 21 points a game and hit 65 percent of his shots last year and gives the Hawkeyes a consistent scoring option at that position each night. Eric May and Devyn Marble each started at that position and both have talent but struggled to maintain their play each night out.

Hubbard will join a backcourt with seniors Bryce Cartwright and Matt Gatens. Cartwright led the Big Ten in assists during league play (6.9) and adding another scoring option could make him even more effective. Cartwright had a knack for buzzer-beaters, sinking four this year alone. He averaged 10.9 points a game.

Gatens consistently was guarded as the team's top scoring threat, became the team's top defender and still led the Hawkeyes with 12.6 points a game. Hubbard's commitment could loosen up Gatens on offense and help him thrive.

Iowa has a potential star in sophomore forward Melsahn Basabe, who averaged 11 points a game and hit a team-high 57 percent of his shots. Basabe, who stands 6-foot-7, set an Iowa freshman record with 210 rebounds and hed also had 41 blocks. He scored 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked six shots - including four on All-American forward Jared Sullinger - against Ohio State.

The bench will be solid with May, Marble and Zach McCabe all starting games and playing significant time. Marble backed up Cartwright at point and could develop into a solid player in the next three seasons. May, a junior, is athletic and versatile - playing four positions in his two seasons - but struggled with his shot. McCabe, sophomore, can play inside and shoot the 3.

Incoming freshmen Josh Oglesby and Aaron White also figure prominently into Iowa's plans next year. Oglesby is a 6-foot-5 guard who immediately becomes the Hawkeyes' best outside shooter. White is 6-foot-8, versatile and athletic.

Iowa does have two fairly large holes entering next season, especially in the post. Center Jarryd Cole was a rock for Iowa last year but graduated. His backups, Andrew Brommerand Devon Archie, both are seniors and flashed at times but were too inconsistent. Brommer, who stands 6-foot-9, easily had his best season with 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds a game. At times he was solid and even outplayed Cole. But too often he got dinged early with fouls. He'll likely start.

Archie, who also stands 6-9, is Iowa's most athletic big man and is a tough inside defender. But he lacks any offense unless it's a dunk. He's more effective averaging less than 12 minutes a game.

Backup point guard also is an issue. Former team captain Cully Payne, who started the first five games last year, transferred to Loyola. Iowa could use Marble, Hubbard or walk-on Jordan Stoermer to back up Cartwright.

Iowa has two scholarships remaining with post and point guard the two most dramatic needs. It's possible Iowa gets one more new player and pockets the other scholarship or putting Stoermer on scholarship.

Iowa returns 88 percent of its scoring from last year and if Hubbard emerges the way most observers expect, and Oglesby and White contribute, it's possible Iowa vaults itself into postseason consideration next year. After a five-year absence from tournament play, that's a step in the right direction.