Media day is like the first day of school. Everyone shows up with their new shoes; you see new faces, and excitement is buzzing. However, there is not always a whole lot to learn. That said, you can always overreact and take something away.
Here are my main takeaways from Iowa men’s basketball media day.
Ben McCollum is Looking for Leadership
“I would like to see a little more juice. We need to have a little more edge,” head coach Ben McCollum said.
He spoke about the importance of low-ego players who have a mentality of serving others. However, he also made it clear that someone needs to step up and become the team’s clear leader.
He even referenced Kobe Bryant’s famous mentality when discussing leadership, pointing to Bryant’s attitude of taking ownership of his team.
The question is, who steps up?
I asked point guard Kael Combs what he could do to become a leader on this team.
“Leading by example would be one key, as well as when we get to the games, having a level of composure and being able to calm the team down is going to help a lot,” Combs said.
I also asked true freshman Jaidyn Coon what it takes to be a leader at this level in just year one.
“Just take more pride in my defensive end, and be that enforcer by setting the tone and communicating,” Coon said.
From freshmen to seniors, there is an opportunity for players to step up and become leaders. Whether it comes through defense, communication, composure, or setting the tone, Iowa will need somebody who is willing to take charge.
With a new-look roster and leadership still developing, figuring out who fills that role will be something to watch as the season approaches.
The Freshmen Can Make an Early Impact
Iowa has three freshmen this season who can make a serious impact on this year’s team and beyond.
It starts with 6’8 forward Trey Thompson. “His ball goes in the basket. He can finish really well,” McCollum said.
Trey Thompson looked very good in just a five-minute scrimmage, knocking down two threes, an and-one, and recording a steal. He also communicated well, especially for a freshman.
Look for Trey Thompson to be in the rotation this season as another one of those taller, hybrid-type wings with the capability to space the floor for this offense.
Ethan Harris is a freshman to keep an eye on as well. He is a very raw talent with an extremely high ceiling, but he brings more than talent to this group.
“Coach McCollum talks about energy givers, and that’s one thing I can be. Whenever we make a big play, whether I’m on the bench or in the game, I will hype up my teammates,” Harris said.
Low-ego guys are something Ben McCollum teaches, and Ethan Harris fits right into that category. The way he carries himself as a teammate and communicates is inspiring to watch, especially in this day and age.
But don’t let this fool you. He is a humble giant who is an extremely skilled basketball player with the opportunity to play a major role on this basketball team for years to come.
The last freshman I want to highlight is Jaidyn Coon. In year one, Coon already looks like the most athletic player on the team. Coach McCollum referred to him as a “freaky athlete.” This is going to be a big reason why he could be a major piece of the puzzle for this group.
“Defensively, he can really heat up the ball. He’s a good point-of-attack defender because he’s 6’6 and physical and really competes at a high level,” Ben McCollum said.
Coon is going to be an elite cutter and finisher around the basket for this team. We haven’t seen him step out and make a three in any of the open practices yet. However, I noticed his shot looks very smooth when he was warming up. Look for his jump shot to develop moving forward to maximize his ceiling.
Shooting
The spacing on the offensive end is going to be crucial for Iowa this season. Coach McCollum’s system is built around creating advantages to get players to the basket. The best way to stop those drives is to help off the perimeter. If the players on the outside can consistently knock down shots, it makes this offense extremely difficult to stop.
Iowa has added new playmakers in Andrew McKeever and Ty’Reek Coleman who are going to draw a lot of defensive attention. Because of that, shooting is going to be more important than ever.
I asked Cooper Koch how Andrew McKeever’s gravity is going to help him get good looks offensively.
“When he screens and rolls, it’s kind of hard not to see a 7’3” guy going through the middle. When my guy goes and helps, it just makes me even more wide open to catch and shoot the three,” Koch said.
This might be the best shooting team we’ve seen at Iowa in a long time. Koch was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten last season, shooting over 40% from three, while Tate Sage wasn’t far behind at 39%.
Isaia Howard is another player to watch. He shot just 28% last season, but his shot looks much smoother during offseason practices. Coach McCollum recently noted that Howard has been shooting an impressive 43%.
Coleman, the Illinois State transfer, also shot 42% from three last season. Kael Combs and Trevin Jirak have been shooting the ball much better this offseason, while freshmen Trey Thompson and Ethan Harris have been filling it up as well.
During Monday’s scrimmage, it seemed like it didn’t matter who was shooting the ball. Shots were falling from all over the floor. This team has plenty of willing and capable shooters who could make a major impact this season on the perimeter. If Iowa can carry that shooting into the regular season, the spacing in McCollum’s offense could make this group a tough matchup for any team in the country.
Conclusion
All in all, the “first day of school” left me intrigued by what this team could become. From the new faces on the roster to the importance of spacing and shooting in Coach McCollum’s system, there is a lot to be excited about. There are several things to watch as the season approaches, but the early impressions are encouraging. The biggest question now is how these pieces will come together once the games begin.
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