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Iowa Basketball: Five Hawkeyes to Watch in NCAA Tournament

By Dylan Burn

Mar 10, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes coach Fran McDaffery coaches on the sidelines against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Illinois defeats Iowa 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes coach Fran McDaffery coaches on the sidelines against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Illinois defeats Iowa 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) brings the ball up court against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) brings the ball up court against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 – Nicholas Baer

Baer sort of came out of nowhere to begin the season.  He’s the only player that gives Fran McCaffery significant minutes and does not possess a scholarship.  He is a walk-0n redshirt freshman and his play has been very important to a very thin Iowa team.

He had a stretch earlier in the season where he really made an impact.  In three straight games against Drake, Tennessee Tech, and Michigan State he recorded double figures.  He really filled the stat sheet against Drake as he poured in 11 points, gathered seven rebounds, and had six blocks.

As the Hawkeyes started their losing streak, Baer kind of faded.  There were a couple games where he didn’t score and a couple others where he only chipped in a couple points.

He did have a pretty strong performance against Illinois in their second round loss as he had eight points and nearly willed the Hawkeyes to victory.

Baer isn’t an experienced player, but he’s played pretty significant minutes for this team and will be counted on if Iowa is going to make a run in this year’s tournament.

Baer averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in his freshman season for the Hawks.

Next: Number Four

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