Jess Settles: Hawkeyes are a 'true team'

Editor's note: Jess Settles played basketball at Iowa (1994-97, 99) and is in the school's 1,000-point club with 1,611 points. He also does work for BTN and contributes to KCRG-TV9's 'On Iowa Live.' We asked him for his thoughts on this year's team.

Iowa has a true team.

Multiple players have stepped up at critical times during Iowa's historic start. In last week's big win over Purdue, Iowa opened up the second half with a 25-6 run, with seven different Hawkeyes scoring points.

Peter Jok has emerged as an all-Big Ten level guard. His shot is pure and he is the most improved defensive player in the conference.

Anthony Clemmons continues to rise to the occasion at both ends of the court. His defense on Michigan State's sharpshooter Bryn Forbes in Iowa City and East Lansing was textbook.

Adam Woodbury is playing the best basketball of his career. Defensively, he has been very solid against the intimidating front lines of Purdue, Maryland and Michigan State. Offensively, he is finishing shots more consistently. 'Woody' now has three straight double doubles.

Mike Gesell's on-ball defense has kept opposing guards from getting comfortable and his unselfish play has allowed his teammates to excel.

Jarrod Uthoff is the Player of the Year in the Big Ten and his emergence has taken Iowa to a No. 4 ranking. Uthoff can play all five positions at the offensive end and guard all five positions at the defensive end. Who else is the country can make that claim? He leads the league in scoring and blocks.

And what about the play of Iowa's bench? Has anyone hit more timely 3-pointers than Dom Uhl? Uhl has been a nightmare for opposing centers who have to chase him around the perimeter. He is shooting 48 percent from beyond the arc in conference play. Ahmad Wagner has the Big Ten strength to push opponents off the block and snatch rebounds. Brady Ellingson has hit big shots in limited minutes, including 8 needed points against Purdue. What a gift Nicholas Baer has been to the Hawkeye program. The walk-on out of Bettendorf has thrived under pressure and always seems to be at the right place at the right time.

Jok and Uthoff hit just 7 of 25 shots in Iowa's 74-68 loss at Maryland on Thursday, yet Iowa had a chance to win the game late. That's the sign of a great team.

If you thought Iowa would be 7-1 in conference play at this juncture, after playing such a brutal schedule, then you need to take my job. Something special is brewing in Iowa City and everyone wearing a Hawkeye uniform is contributing.