Friday, Oct. 12 Steve Alford had a roller coaster ride last year. His Hawkeyes started 17-4, won six of their first eight in the Big Ten, and then were stung by injuries. Iowa lost 7 of 8 Big Ten games, but recovered to win the Big Ten Tournament and take a bid rather than wait for the Committee's decision. Alford could fashion a Top 20 team with only a healthy Luke Recker and Reggie Evans, but he has more. Rumored to be unprepared after his seven-month layoff, Recker has looked good in individual workouts. After he knocks off the rust, Recker will work off screens for shots, and his misses will belong to Evans. The best rebounder in the country, Evans flirted with the NBA, but worked hard in school and will be back with more of an offensive game. The X-Factors are Chauncey Leslie, a lightning quick playmaker, and Pierre Pierce, a scoring guard with point and defensive ability, to replace Dean Oliver. Iowa will challenge Illinois and Michigan State for the Big Ten crown.

11
Iowa
LAST SEASON: 23-12
2001 FINAL RANKING
ESPN/USA Today: No. 29

Why No. 11?
The Hawkeyes made a great run to win the Big Ten tournament title, even without Luke Recker. But he should be back and his scoring and experience give the Hawkeyes a legit chance to win the Big Ten. Reggie Evans is the toughest finisher in the league and the Hawkeyes do a tremendous job of getting production by committee from players like Duez Henderson, Brody Boyd, Glen Worley and Ryan Hogan. But the pressure will be on Boyd to replace Dean Oliver. If he can be the calming presence this team needs at the point then the Hawkeyes can challenge Illinois for the title. Steve Alford has this program on a high quicker than anyone thought and there's no reason to believe they can't continue the climb deeper in the tournament.

Will Rise If ...
Luke Recker is healthy throughout the season. Recker's injuries last season curtailed what could have been a Big Ten MVP season for him. He's also the team's primary leader. He needs to be on the court. Certainly point guard is a question, but not as much as Recker. If he's good to go then the Hawkeyes have the talent to win the Big Ten.

Will Fall If ...
Reggie Evans gets no love from anyone else in the paint. He needs help. He can't do it alone. There are enough bodies to give him help and there's no reason why he can't get it. If the Hawkeyes can get Glen Worley and Jared Reiner to be productive members of the team then they've got a shot. If they don't, then slip a notch.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Big Ten coach's take on the Hawkeyes

“

On paper, pressuring the perimeter because of the unknown at the point. They're not jets on the perimeter. You've got to get after them and get them out of their comfort zone. Try to eliminate Reggie's easy baskets if you can. He's going to score but you can't let him get the easy ones. Luke will score too. You've got to limit his good touches. He can dominate you if you let him. ”

2001-02 IOWA ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(11) Brody Boyd	So.	G	5-11/155	PTS: 5.8 | AST: 1.4 | 3PT%: 37.3
(32) Reggie Evans	Sr.	F	6-8/245	PTS: 15.1 | REB: 11.9 | FG%: 47.5
(34) Erek Hansen	Fr.	C	6-11/205	Slender, but skilled, he should follow Evans' program in the weight room this season
(23) Duez Henderson	Sr.	F	6-7/200	PTS: 6.3 | REB: 3.4 | 3PT%: 37.3
(2) Ryan Hogan	Sr.	G	6-4/185	PTS: 7.2 | REB: 2.6 | FG%: 34.8
(1) Chauncey Leslie	Jr.	G	6-2/170	Speedy JUCO transfer will be needed to fill Oliver's role at the point
(3) Pierre Pierce	Fr.	G	6-4/180	Points aren't a problem for combo guard; He led state of Illinois in scoring as senior
(24) Luke Recker	Sr.	G/F	6-6/210	PTS: 18.1 | REB: 3.9 | 3PT%: 43.1
(5) Jared Reiner	So.	C	6-11/255	PTS: 3.1 | REB: 2.9 | FG%: 41.1
(52) Cortney Scott	So.	F	6-6/245	PTS: 2.5 | REB: 2.1 | FG%: 48.5
(15) Marcellus Sommerville	Fr.	F	6-6/210	Slasher who can shoot from 3-point range; best work comes around basket
(53) Sean Sonderlieter	So.	C	6-9/225	PTS: 2.0 | REB: 1.9 | FG%: 54.8
(25) Rod Thompson	Sr.	F	6-6/230	PTS: 1.8 | REB: 1.2 | FG%: 39.5
(4) Glen Worley	So.	F	6-7/220	PTS: 7.5 | REB: 3.8 | FG%: 44.9
Head Coach: Steve Alford (37-28, 2 years; Overall: 193-105, 10 years) Assistant Coaches: Brian Jones, Greg Lansing, Rich Walker, Sam Alford Home Court: Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500); Iowa City, Iowa

2001-02 IOWA SCHEDULE

November 13 Md.-E. Shore (a) 14: Boston/N.Orleans (b) 17: La.Tech 20: TBD (c) 21: TBD (d) 27: Duke (e) 30: Alabama St. (f)

December 1: LaSalle/SMU (g) 4: at N. Iowa 8: at Iowa State 12: Drake 22: Kansas St. 28: Mercer

January 2: Wisconsin 5: at Ohio State 9: Northwestern 13: Indiana 15: at Illinois 19: at Northwestern 22: Michigan St. 26: at Purdue

February 2: Penn State 5: at Indiana 9: Minnesota 13: at Penn State 16: Ohio State 19: at Wisconsin 23: Michigan

March 2: at Michigan State 7: Big Ten Tournament