Iowa basketball: Hawks finally get good news after rough month

It’s been a rough month for the Iowa basketball program, but the team got much-needed good news this afternoon when Joe Wieskamp announced his return.

When it rains, it pours is how the old saying goes. That saying couldn’t be closer to the truth for the Iowa basketball team this past month.

After taking Tennessee to overtime of the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the hits just keep coming against the Iowa basketball team.

There have been two transfers, one coaching departure, two early declarations, and a major injury announcement. Until today, the Iowa basketball team’s starting lineup would have consisted of just one starter from last season, Luka Garza.

Although the announcement was expected eventually, it’s nice to make it official that star wing player Joe Wieskamp is returning for his sophomore season after testing the 2019 draft process.

In his first year in Iowa City, Wieskamp proved that he could be a star for the Iowa basketball team after starting all 35 games and finishing third on the team in minutes at 27.7 minutes per game. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.9 steals per game in route to being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.

What’s more impressive than his stats is how efficient he was with the ball in his hand. Wieskamp shot 56% from inside the arc and 42% from behind the arc while posting a team-high 3.7 win shares. Moreover, his plus/minus was of 8.1 was second to only graduated senior and future Iowa United forward Nicholas Baer.

With the possibility of losing three starters from last year’s 23-12 Iowa basketball team, it could be Wieskamp’s time to be the guy.

For the sake of the Iowa basketball program, it’s just nice to get some good news after numerous people left and multiple star transfers opted to sign elsewhere.

For another year, Iowa basketball fans get to watch Joe Wieskamp show his stuff.