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Iowa basketball: Five new faces will join Hawks roster next season

By Andrew Wade

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) /
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AMES, IA – DECEMBER 7: Hans Brase #30 of the Iowa State Cyclones battles for a rebound with Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on December 7, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 84-78 over the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – DECEMBER 7: Hans Brase #30 of the Iowa State Cyclones battles for a rebound with Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on December 7, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 84-78 over the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Cordell Pemsl

This was arguably the most surprising decision of the season, but due to a nagging knee injury, Cordell Pemsl shut it down for the season. This, despite playing some inspirational basketball in the Iowa basketball team’s victory over in-state rival Iowa State in December.

After playing just two games this season, the Hawkeyes are hoping that a medical hardship waiver will allow Pemsl to maintain two years of eligibility.

As long as he is healthy, he could be a worthy replacement of senior Nicholas Baer. Although nobody can ever truly replace Baer’s heart and grit, Pemsl’s effort on the court is contagious. Against Iowa State, Pemsl was a man on a mission and it was obvious that he loves playing for his teammates. When the Cyclones were getting chippy, Pemsl made sure he was in the middle as opposed to his teammates.

If he is healthy, he could very well be the key to the Iowa basketball team putting together the best season of the Fran McCaffery era.

He’s also not short on experience having played in 68 career games with the Hawks. It’s not often a 23-12 team can return a guy like Pemsl to their lineup.

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