Young Hawkeyes show growth, still have much to learn

IOWA CITY - Midway through the second half of a non-conference basketball game against an overmatched opponent, Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery gathered his young players together on the bench and promptly lit into them.

The fact Iowa (2-0) led Coppin State by 30 points was irrelevant. McCaffery's starters were off the floor for good and his newcomers had to make improvements defensively. His point was direct: their defensive execution stunk. They had given up points on six consecutive possessions, and his tolerance for mental errors had reached its limit.

'If you look at the numbers, defensively we had a little problem in the second half trading baskets, and we got that corrected,” McCaffery said. 'But that's the critical thing at this point in the season.”

Iowa's youth was more attentive and responded to McCaffery's charge. Perhaps even better, senior point guard Anthony Clemmons pulled freshman point guard Christian Williams for instruction. It seemed to work as they tightened up defensively for rest of the game.

'I feel like now that we've actually got playing time on the court - not just practices - but going out and facing another team, I feel like it's got us ready to move on and face teams going ahead,” said Iowa freshman Ahmad Wagner, who scored six points and grabbed four rebounds but also fouled out.

With Peter Jok out nursing an ankle injury, Iowa played its four other usual starters a combined 20 minutes after halftime. While the defensive lapses were expected, Iowa manufactured good offense in its place. The young Hawkeyes hit 48.7 percent from the field in the second half.

It's vital for Iowa's youth to make strides as the team heads into a challenging stretch. Thursday, the Hawkeyes play at Marquette as part of the Gavitt Games. Then they compete in the eight-team Advocare Invitational in Orlando. Iowa's first opponent is Dayton, which finished 27-9 last year and won two NCAA tournament games. The Hawkeyes then face either Notre Dame, which lost by two against Kentucky in the Elite Eight, or Monmouth, which beat UCLA in overtime Friday. Wichita State, Xavier, Alabama and USC are the other teams.

'They're all going to be tough games,” McCaffery said. 'So we've got some veterans and we've got some young guys that have stepped up, and we've played four games (counting exhibitions) now, so that helps. I feel good about where they are.”

'Our freshmen don't really play like freshmen,” Iowa point guard Mike Gesell said. 'I think (the exhibition loss to Augustana) was a little bit of a wake-up call. Augustana is a very good team. You've got to give it to them. I think we've made improvements each and every day. I think this team is going to improve a lot throughout the season.”

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