Wednesday Quotebook: It's All Business For Iowa's Freshmen
Redshirt freshman C.J. Fredrick is expected to be in Iowa's starting lineup for Friday's season opener against SIU-Edwardsville at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
True freshmen Joe Toussaint and Patrick McCaffery are expected to see significant minutes.
Coach Fran McCaffery, Patrick's father, knows there will be those first-game jitters for his young players, so he wants to minimize that.
"We take a very businesslike approach to games, and we try to keep it consistent so that it's not something that you're highlighting to make them think ... we don't want them to overthink it," McCaffery said during Wednesday's media availability. "Just want them to, hey, guys, here's the scouting report information, you have to process it and understand it. These are the things we think we're going to be able to do on offense, these are the things we think we're going to be able to do on defense. Stay true to that and then don't try to overpenetrate. Don't try to get out of who you are and go make a play that's not there because that's when the mistakes come."
Fredrick played 19 minutes, 35 seconds in Iowa's 96-58 win over Lindsey Wilson College in Monday's exhibition game. Patrick McCaffery played 17:27 and scored 12 points. Toussaint played 19:18 and had five points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Combined, the three had just one turnover.
"I felt pretty good," Patrick McCaffery said. "It was good getting out there, getting my feet wet. I've probably watched hundreds of games in this arena, so being able to be out there and being able to play in one, that was really cool."
McCaffery was 6-of-12 from the field, playing significant minutes at the '4' spot. When Cordell Pemsl comes back from his two-game suspension, McCaffery will play at the '3'.
McCaffery missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
"My 3-point shooter, my jumper, didn't feel great, but it probably had something to do with the adrenaline," he said. "Definitely a little nerves, because I've been shooting the ball well in practice.
"Hopefully next game I'll be more calmed down and I'll get my shot straightened out."
Toussaint also seemed to have those first-game jitters.
"Yeah, I think he and Patrick were both nervous, as to be expected," Fran McCaffery said. "That's what those games are for. They were a little revved up against Illinois State (in a closed scrimmage), as well. It'll take a little bit for that to go away. But I thought their energy level was really good, both of those guys."
Bohannon's minutes
Jordan Bohannon played almost 15 minutes in Monday's game as he continues his comeback from offseason hip surgery.
The senior guard's playing time may increase in Friday's game.
"Might be a little bit more," Fran McCaffery said. "We'll see how he's doing that week, how he's doing that particular day."
Bohannon, Iowa's point guard for the last three season, played at the '2' guard position in Monday's game, but that isn't going to be his exclusive role.
"I feel very comfortable with him with the ball, and I think he needs to be utilized in both ways," McCaffery said. "That makes him harder to guard."
Evelyn's first game
Graduate transfer Bakari Evelyn missed the only two shots he took in almost 17 minutes of play in Monday's game.
"He's been really good," McCaffery said. "He's been a good player for us, incredibly versatile, understands things. He's a new guy, but he's not a young guy. He kind of knows where to be, does things instinctively on defense. He's a really good passer and a really good shooter. He didn't shoot a ton the other night."
Baer's new team
Former Hawkeye Nicholas Baer made it to the roster of the Raptors 905, the G-League affiliate of the NBA's Toronto Raptors.
"They really wanted him," McCaffery said. "They watched him play. I honestly thought he would end up overseas and I thought he'd be great overseas, but he found an opportunity. They invited him out and met with him and then invited him back and wanted to sign him, and he was thrilled with that opportunity. He's going to do it. I think he'll be great."
