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Iowa basketball: MVP, surprises, and disappointments through nine games

By Andrew Wade

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 03: Thomas Kithier #15 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball over Ryan Kriener #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 03: Thomas Kithier #15 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball over Ryan Kriener #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at Value City Arena on February 10, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Iowa 82-64. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at Value City Arena on February 10, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Iowa 82-64. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

X-factor: Cordell Pemsl

I’ll fully admit that this is almost entirely based off of the Iowa State game, a game in which Pemsl was not expected to play. Not only was he not expected to play that game, he wasn’t expected to play the rest of the season as he was supposed to be taking a redshirt year to recover from a nagging knee injury.

In a surprise move Thursday though, Pemsl not only dressed but played significant minutes.

In that time, he showed why he is the x-factor for this team. He’s not going to score the most points or have the best statistic line, but his hustle and energy brings life to this team. It certainly did Thursday night.

Undoubtedly Fran was impressed.

"He was tremendous. He ran, he didn’t seem to tire, gave us really good minutes as an experienced guy is what you would expect. We’ll take it day-to-day from here."

In 16 minutes, he put in eight points, totaled six boards, and dished out one assist.

The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman had this to say about Pemsl’s play:

If he can continue to make a go of it with his knee, that will be a huge win for the Iowa basketball team, but that’s a huge if.

Next. Iowa is dominating the Cy-Hawk Series this year. dark

At this point, his future for this season is still up in the air for the Hawks.