Uthoff earns top PTL offensive, defensive honors in leading team to championship

NORTH LIBERTY – These aren't the accolades that will be associated with Jarrod Uthoff when his Iowa career is over.

Still, the senior proved in this summer's Prime Time League what everyone already knew: he'll be Iowa's unquestioned go-to player on the floor this season, which means a chance for more prestigious honors in the future.

Uthoff was named PTL MVP and defensive player of the year and his Westport Touchless Autowash/Beat the Bookstore team cruised to an 89-77 victory over Jill Armstrong/Skogman Realty in Thursday night's championship game.

Uthoff poured in 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting in the final, drawing defensive matchups from athletic wings like Dondre Alexander to posts like Okey Ukah and Luke McDonnell.

'I thought I had a mismatch most of the night,” Uthoff said.

No, these aren't quite Big Ten starting five defenders, but it's not like Uthoff hasn't proven himself at that level.

Uthoff showed the same versatility Thursday fans saw last winter, posting up, hitting threes and driving and kicking.

'I think (the defense) kind of got mesmerized when I was playing with the ball a little bit, trying to get past that big guy,” Uthoff said of his perimeter game.

But just as impressive a display came on the other end, where he was matched up with Alexander most of the night.

Alexander, an Iowa City West alum and former Southern Miss commit who will play at William Penn this year, was held to half his PTL average with 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting.

Adam Woodbury scored 15 points and grabbed 12 boards for the losing side, battling Hawkeye sophomore Dom Uhl most of the night.

Uhl has bulked up considerably and was aggressive against Woodbury. Uhl went 8-for-18 and scored 18 points, adding 14 boards.

'He just got bigger,” Woodbury said. 'Got in the weight room a little bit more and is getting more confident in his shot. He's improving every day and it's fun to see.”

Uhl ran the floor extremely well, putting in a couple tip-ins and collecting transition passes for dunks.

'Dom, with his athleticism, his ability to penetrate is going to be huge for us,” Uthoff said.

Uhl was 2-for-9 from long range in this game and 30 percent for the summer. He said he's learned a lot from playing one-on-one with Uthoff and Peter Jok, and hopes to add the long range shot those two display to his arsenal.

'Me and JU play similarly,” Uhl said. 'He's just a better shooter.”

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