Big Ten Conference report

SportsLine Report
June 5, 2000

Don't let the losing record fool you. Although Steve Alford's first season came and went without a postseason invite, Iowa was more than competitive, knocking off a few national powers.

This fall, Alford is bringing in a bumper crop of fresh talent, not to mention talented shooting guard Luke Recker, the transfer from Arizona who will be eligible for the beginning of the season.

All of this, combined with the holdovers having a year of experience in Alford's system, should deliver the Hawkeyes back to the NCAA Tournament.

Although half of their roster will feature unproven talent, the Hawkeyes do return 6-6 junior forward Rob Griffin (12.2 ppg), who finished last season strong. Talented junior guard Dean Oliver (13.6 ppg) had a mostly up-and-down year, though he scored 30 in the Big Ten quarters against Michigan State.

Add all of this up, and you have a preseason Top 25 team that will probably return to the postseason.

The Coach

Alford is one of America's best young coaches. After a year of fixing everything to his liking, he should have the Hawkeyes among the nation's elite for many years to come. He is a good recruiter, good at Xs and Os and commands the respect of his kids.

Who'll Be Back

Oliver earned third-team All-Big Ten honors for a second straight year, yet he was a season-long enigma. One game he would catch fire. The next he would miss almost everything he chucked up. If he could straighten himself out, he and Griffin could be a dangerous inside-outside tandem.

Complimentary performers such as sophomore guard Kyle Galloway (8.5 ppg), sophomore forwards Duez Henderson (6.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Rod Thompson (4.1 ppg), and junior forward Joe Fermino (2.2 ppg) also return. With the recruits Alford has coming in, some of these guys might see fewer minutes.

Who'll Be Gone

Forward Jacobs Jaacks (12.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg) struggled with fouls, but gave the Hawkeyes a nice inside presence every night. Versatile guards Ryan Luehrsmann (7.0 ppg) and Jason Price (2.0 ppg) played both backcourt positions and will be missed because of that.

Key Newcomers

Alford outdid himself during the fall, landing a consensus Top 10 class. He landed five early signees (four of them frontcourt players) and two talented transfers.

SG Luke Recker (6-6, Jr.): After transferring from Indiana to Arizona and overcoming injuries suffered in a car crash last year, he decided to transfer to Iowa. A third-team All-Big Ten pick two years ago, he will boost the backcourt's talent level.

SG Ryan Hogan (6-3, Jr.): Transferred in after playing two years at Kentucky where he played on the 1998 NCAA Title team. Averaged 3.7 points his last year there, scoring in double digits six times. He will probably see time in a reserve role.

C Jared Reiner (6-11, 240, Fr.): Rated one of the nation's top five center prospects, he distinguished himself at last summer's ABCD camp. Led Tripp-Delmont High to the South Dakota state title, averaging 23 points and 12 rebounds. He has already qualified with a 3.8 grade-point average and a 26 ACT score.

PF Glen Worley (6-8, 205, Fr.): Another great get for the Hawkeyes, this Top 50 prospect from Iowa City helped the U.S. win the World Youth Games gold medal as a high school sophomore. Committed to the Hawkeyes last June.

G Brody Boyd (5-11, 165, Fr): Enters the program with a reputation as a terrific outside shooter. During his playing days at Union (Ind.) High School, he shot the lights out and put up over 30 points per game. Although he can score, he can also run the offense, too.

PF Courtney Scott (6-5, 245, Fr.): Undersized prospect from Lansing, Mich., who is sometimes listed two inches taller. Although that is not the case, he plays bigger than his height. Averaged a double-double his final two years of high school.

C Sean Sonderleiter (6-9, 225, Fr.): Solid pivot prospect who played at Des Moines Christian School, where he earned all-state honors. Could be a redshirt candidate considering Iowa has so many big bodies.

F Reggie Evans (6-8, 240, Jr.): A junior college transfer from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, he was an All-American selection last season, averaging 22.5 points and 12 rebounds. "The addition of Reggie really adds to the high school recruits we were able to sign in the fall," said Alford. "He is a player that brings size, strength and experience to our program. He is a very intense competitor who will fill some of our needs as an inside presence."