Video: PTL highlights, player evaluations

No matter what happens in the Prime Time League, you always have to remind yourself that the style of play and level of competition does not translate to the Big Ten schedule. That said, it's easy to get caught up in the positive changes I've seen with Iowa's returning players from last year.

Here are a few impressions on the Prime Time League thus far and some thoughts on how some Iowa players will fit in next season:

Iowa junior guard Matt Gatens looks just as strong as last year but more fluid on the court after dropping about 15 pounds. He scored 35 points last night. Look for the same level of competitiveness (remember he didn't sit during a game against Ohio State because he played on a sprained ankle) with an added burst toward the basket. He'll become a more well-rounded player this year in Fran McCaffery's uptempo offense.

Incoming Iowa freshman forward Melsahn Basabe scored 36 points last night. He averages 33.6 points a game. It's safe to say he'll slip into the starting power forward spot vacated by Aaron Fuller, who transferred to USC. Basabe is raw and not as polished as Fuller on the defensive end, but by mid-season, I think Basabe will be a better offensive player than Fuller was in his two-year tenure.

Iowa sophomore forward Eric May continues to impress me with his athletic ability and versatility. He brought the crowd to its feet last year several times with blocked shots, which was frowned upon by former CoachTodd Lickliter. May might be the most explosive player on the team and, along with Jarryd Cole, its strongest.

Iowa sophomore point guard Cully Payne will thrive in the new offense geared around the transition game. He didn't get to showcase his skills last year in Lickliter's offense, which often became "30 seconds of fear and five seconds of panic." Payne's got speed and quickness and maybe tries too hard to make the jaw-dropping pass.

Incoming Iowa freshman Devyn Marble has perhaps the most upside of any player but this year will be a learning curve. He's only 17 years old and is a raw athlete with plenty of skills. He's gained nearly 10 pounds since coming to Iowa City, thanks to an intense weight room regimen. I think he'll play between 15 and 18 minutes a game behind Payne and Gatens this year.

Iowa junior post Andrew Brommer could benefit the most from the offensive change. He's slimmed down some, and the fast-paced style seems to suit him. He had an electrifying dunk on Tuesday. He'll challenge for playing time this year, maybe even a starting role.

Incoming Iowa freshman Zach McCabe also will push May and Basabe for playing time. He's physically strong, highly competitive and versatile. He's got good skills and stands 6-foot-7. His competitive streak reminds me of Gatens' fiery drive, which is a good thing for Iowa.

I'm not sure about junior forward/post Devon Archie. He can jump out of the gym, but I need to see more from him before I think he can help the team in a reserve capacity. I have yet to see junior-college guard Bryce Cartwright, who's finishing up classes at Paris (Texas) Junior College.

Here's who I think will fill Iowa's lineup for the upcoming year:

Starters: PG -- Payne; SG -- Gatens; SF -- May; PF -- Basabe; C -- Cole. Key reserves: G -- Marble; F -- McCabe; F/C -- Brommer. Others: Cartwright (no true evaluation), Archie.

As for a few other players:

Iowa has three walk-ons so far this year in Jordan Stoermer (good choice for Iowa), Darius Stokes (plenty of upside) and Branden Stubbs (dependable practice player). Iowa DEFINITELY should grab Andre Murphy as well. I doubt he could play more than a few minutes of Big Ten basketball, but he's quick, competitive, can shoot the 3 and is a good passer. Murphy almost always does the right thing on the court. He would provide an upgrade over last year's walk-on players.

Iowa should look hard at Waterloo native Jaron Nash, who will be a sophomore at Tyler (Texas) Junior College. He's fluid, tall and athletic. Likewise, former Iowa City High player Malcolm Moore, a teammate of Nash's at Tyler, also has put himself in discussion for a potential scholarship at Iowa.

I haven't spent much time looking directly at UNI's players, although that's my plan in the next couple of weeks.

[THML5]