The lowdown
2000-01 record: 23-12; 7-9 in Big Ten (t6th)
Final Ranking: No 24 AP
Postseason: Lost to Kentucky 92-79 in second round of NCAA Tournament.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Who will replace Dean Oliver at the point? Will the lack of experience at the position be a detriment to the team's maturation? Can the Hawkeyes handle that position when they've got to go against Illinois' Frank Williams and Michigan State's Marcus Taylor?
2. Is Luke Recker healthy? His knee kept him out of most of the season but the Hawkeyes desperately need his presence on the court to be an elite team. If he's fine, then will he return to his near Big Ten MVP level of earlier in the season?
3. Will Reggie Evans get the necessary help inside from a host of choices like Jared Reiner and Glen Worley? Evans was a double-double master last season but he'll get even more attention next season. He needs to play off someone of note in the lane.
Three Key Facts
1. The 2001-02 season marks Iowa's 100th year of basketball. In that time, the Hawkeyes have reached three Final Fours (1955, 1956, 1980) in 20 NCAA Tournament appearances.
2. After dropping seven of its final eight regular-season games last season, Iowa shocked the Big Ten by winning the postseason tournament and automatic NCAA bid. With its tournament success, Iowa became just the fourth college team, and the first in the Big Ten, to claim a postseason conference tournament with four wins in as many days.
3. Reggie Evans led the nation in rebounding, free throws, free throw attempts and scoring and rebounding double-doubles last season. He earned honorable mention all-America honors from the Associated Press.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Overtake Illinois for the title, get a top four seed and win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament.
Worst case: Recker doesn't play a full season and the Hawkeyes drop to fourth in the Big Ten, but still make the tournament.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Luke Recker
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Sr.
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G
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6-6/210
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PTS: 18.1 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 2.7
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Reggie Evans
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Sr.
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F
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6-8/245
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PTS: 15.1 | REB: 11.9 | AST: 1.6
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Glen Worley
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So.
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F
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6-7/220
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PTS: 7.5 | REB: 3.8 | AST: 0.7
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Duez Henderson
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Sr.
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F
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6-7/200
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PTS: 6.3 | REB: 3.4 | AST: 1.0
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Ryan Hogan
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Sr.
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G
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6-4/185
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PTS: 7.2 | REB: 2.6 | AST: 1.8
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Dean Oliver
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G
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5-11/175
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PTS: 14.9 | REB: 2.8 | AST: 4.8
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Iowa Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Pierre Pierce
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G
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6-3
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Westmont, Ill./Westmont H.S.
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Marcellus Sommerville
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F
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6-6
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Peoria, Ill./Central H.S.
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Erek Hansen
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C
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6-11
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Euless, Texas/Trinity H.S.
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Chauncey Leslie
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G
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6-2
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Ottumwa, Iowa/Indian Hills CC
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