Iowa’s McCaffery expects Jones to make immediate impact

IOWA CITY - It goes without saying that Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery wants at least a few of his newcomers to make an immediate impact this year.

The Hawkeyes lost first-team all-Big Ten power forward Aaron White plus the league's sixth man of the year in center Gabe Olaseni. Earlier this spring McCaffery told The Gazette he anticipates a shift in playing style because of his smaller newcomers, including spring signees Dale Jones and Christian Williams.

McCaffery does expect Jones, a junior-college transfer, to step in for the NBA-bound White. Jones (6-foot-8, 220 pounds) led Tyler (Texas) Junior College in scoring, rebounding and free-throw percentage en route to the NJCAA tournament.

Jones, a junior from Waterloo, averaged 16.9 points and 8.3 rebounds and hit 45.4 percent of 3-pointers. He was at Tyler for three years. He suffered a season-ending knee surgery his sophomore season and red-shirted.

'Dale, obviously, is an older guy,” McCaffery said at a recent I-Club stop. 'He was three years in college. Red-shirted for one, played two and really became an All-American and tremendous shooter. He's got a body. He will really help us because he can score and rebound.”

Williams, a 6-6 guard, led Decatur (Ill.) St. Teresa (27-5) to the Class 2A state title game. Williams was a first-team all-state player and averaged 18.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 steals and three assists.

'Christian is a versatile guy who can play three positions,” McCaffery said. 'He's 6-6 and long. Both of those guys are consistent with the types of athletes and players that we've tried to recruit that fit into our style of play.”

There is some concern about Iowa's future at point guard. With Tre Dickerson's transfer, there are no true point guards behind seniors Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons on the roster. That doesn't bother McCaffery, however.

'Christian can play some point, no question. (Shooting guard) Andrew Fleming can play point,” McCaffery said. 'So we've got a lot of options there next year.”

Iowa expects five of its six newcomers to compete in the summer Prime Time League. Chicago Simeon guard Isaiah Moss has to finish some academic work and will join the program later this summer, assistant coach Sherman Dillard said Tuesday at an I-Club stop in Peosta.

PTL UPDATE

The Prime Time League begins a seven-week, 10-game slate June 18 and ends with the championship on July 30.

Eight teams comprised of Iowa, Northern Iowa and other local men's basketball players will play seven games at the North Liberty Recreation Center and three at the Cedar Valley SportsPlex in Waterloo. Games will be held on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons.

Tryouts are scheduled at 11:30 a.m. June 13 at the North Dodge Athletic Club in Iowa City. Fees are $50 for the uniform along with a completed application due by June 12. For more information contact PTL director Randy Larson at 354-5500.

PTL SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

2 vs 1 6:00 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

3 vs 8 6:00 Jones Gym, North Liberty

4 vs 7 7:30 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

5 vs 6 7:30 Jones Gym, North Liberty

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

3 vs 4 3:00 SportsPlex, Waterloo

1 vs 7 3:00 SportsPlex, Waterloo

8 vs 6 4:30 SportsPlex, Waterloo

2 vs 5 4:30 SportsPlex, Waterloo

THURSDAY, JUNE 25

6 vs 2 6:00 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

7 vs 8 6:00 Jones Gym, North Liberty

4 vs 1 7:30 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

5 vs 3 7:30 Jones Gym, North Liberty

THURSDAY, JULY 2

7 vs 5 6:00 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

8 vs 4 6:00 Jones Gym, North Liberty

2 vs 3 7:30 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

6 vs 1 7:30 Jones Gym, North Liberty

THURSDAY, JULY 9

1 vs 3 6:00 SportsPlex, Waterloo

2 vs 4 6:00 SportsPlex, Waterloo

5 vs 8 7:30 SportsPlex, Waterloo

6 vs 7 7:30 SportsPlex, Waterloo

SUNDAY, JULY 12

4 vs 5 3:00 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

8 vs 1 3:00 Jones Gym, North Liberty

2 vs 7 4:30 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

6 vs 3 4:30 Jones Gym, North Liberty

THURSDAY, JULY 16

7 vs 3 6:00 SportsPlex, Waterloo

2 vs 8 6:00 SportsPlex, Waterloo

5 vs 1 7:30 SportsPlex, Waterloo

6 vs 4 7:30 SportsPlex, Waterloo

THURSDAY JULY 23 - PLAYOFFS

1st place team vs 8th place team at 6:00 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

4th place team vs 5th place team at 6:00 Jones Gym, North Liberty

2nd place team vs 7th place team at 7:30 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

3rd place team vs 6th place team at 7:30 Jones Gym, North Liberty

SUNDAY JULY 26 - PLAYOFFS (SEMIFINALS)

Winners of 7/23 6:00 games play at 3:00 Roberts Gym, North Liberty

Winners of 7/23 7:30 games play at 4:30 Jones Gym, North Liberty

THURSDAY JULY 30 - CHAMPIONSHIP

Championship Game at 7 p.m. Roberts Gym, North Liberty

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com