Iowa basketball: Three possible departure candidates from men’s squad

With all five starters returning next year, there may be a few more departures from the men’s Iowa basketball team as minutes are expected to be scarce.

Although never something you want to happen, attrition is a natural part of any collegiate program, especially one fresh off an exhilarating game against Tennessee in the round of 32 at this year’s NCAA Tournament. Not only did the Iowa basketball team show they have the talent to play against teams of that caliber, but they made a statement about next year.

Basically, look out for this Hawkeyes squad. They could do some damage next year. That, however, could also be an issue. As it stands today, the Iowa basketball team would be returning all five starters from this years 23-12 squad and 7 of the top 8 scorers. The only departing player from that top 8 is senior forward Nicholas Baer who proved to be the life and soul of this year’s team, and while that loss will sting, there are quite a few players ready to step up.

In addition to highly touted four-star recruits Joe Toussaint and Patrick McCaffery joining next year’s team, the Hawks will likely return forward Cordell Pemsl (who sat out this year with an injury), 6’9” Jack Nunge (who sat out simply because there weren’t enough minutes for him), and combo guard CJ Fredrick. Those five guys alone make up a pretty talented team as reports from insiders with the Iowa basketball team have been incredibly positive on Nunge’s development.

That means though for some of the guys on the roster, it could be time to start looking elsewhere if they want to get playing time, and as a matter of fact, one already did. As many expected, junior guard Maishe Dailey (2.5 ppg, 1.5 rbg) has already announced his intention to transfer.

Here are our three candidates who could possibly leave the Iowa basketball program prior to next season.