College basketball is finally here!
Even though Ben McCollum said he HATES open exhibitions, the program was back on the court for their final tune-up before the regular season. Iowa welcomed Illinois Springfield to Xtream Arena in Coralville, and after a slow start, the final was never really in doubt. It was Iowa's first game since facing Illinois in last season's Elite Eight, and it went as well as we expected. After the 88-64 win, five things stood out.
The lineups are still a work in progress
The exhibition was more about seeing players and different lineup combinations, not about how lethal the offense was. The offense was balanced, with 10 players scoring a basket in the first half. Iowa started slowly, going 2/8 from the field before the squad got it going. McCollum admitted the lineups and substitutions were nowhere close to what they will use in season, but we got a chance to see multiple lineup combinations. Isaia Howard, Kael Combs, Tate Sage, Cooper Koch, and Andrew McKeever started the game, a lineup that could easily be the starting lineup this season. After the starters, it was clear McCollum was still tinkering with what would work during the season.
Everyone played, and we saw some interesting lineups. Ty'Reek Coleman and Peyton McCollum were the first two off the bench, with Cam Manyawu and Trevin Jirak also getting early playing time. Coleman could still start, with Howard coming off the bench, and he looked strong getting to the basket. Jaidyn Coon also got good minutes and showed off his freak athleticism. His shot is still a work in progress, but his defense and athleticism will get him on the floor.
Iowa's offense had stretches without a field goal, but it seemed intentional. They clearly tried to get to the rim and draw fouls, something they did very well in the second half. UIS committed over 20 fouls in the second half, and although Iowa didn't make a field goal in 3-4 minutes, it still pulled away. Iowa also shot 26 threes, far more than last season. McCollum admitted they will shoot more threes this season, and the offense reflected it.
Andrew McKeever is going to be a force on both ends of the court
One of Iowa's biggest offseason additions was seven-foot-three big Andrew McKeever from Saint Mary's, and he made an immediate impact. McKeever altered numerous shots at the rim, but his biggest contribution was his passing. No one on UIS could match up with his size, and McCollum consistently used him in the pick-and-roll or at the top of the key to initiate movement. He finished with a team-leading seven assists, and was key to initiating offense.
McCollum said they could have easily just force-fed McKeever in the paint, but that won't work in the Big Ten. They worked on other offensive sets to better prepare for the season, and they were successful. McCollum ultimately didn't like how the offense played, continually falling into "traps" set by UIS. The Prairie Stars' defense often sagged off, forcing them to shoot, and they were baited into a lot of quick shots. The offense was at its best when it got into actions quickly, starting with McKeever at the point of attack.
McKeever should be the starting center this season, and while he might not light up the score sheet, he will be a major factor on the glass, protecting the paint, and initiating the offense.
Peyton McCollum has a good chance to crack the rotation this season
Although McCollum said the lineups are nowhere near what they will be in the regular season, Peyton McCollum could play a bigger role this season. Peyton joined his dad in Iowa City last season, but struggled with injuries. Now in his second year with the program, he has a chance to make an impact. Peyton was one of the first players off the bench and showcased his hustle and shooting ability in the win.
Peyton cracked double digits in scoring (10), knocking dwon two three-pointers. He was also physical on defense, harassing the other team during his time on the floor. One of the most notable program changes in McCollum's first season was the defensive intensity, which will remain a focus in the future. If Peyton can be strong defensively and knock down open long-range shots, he becomes extremely valuable off the bench. He was impressive during his 10 minutes off the bench, and it won't be surprising if he cracks the rotation this year.
Kael Combs' offense looks improved from last season
Veteran guard Kael Combs was primarily a reserve with Drake before following McCollum to Iowa City, but earned a starting spot last season. Combs was not a go-to scorer, but he was an effective distributor. With Bennett Stirtz gone, Combs will play a bigger role and is all but locked into one of the starting guard spots. Stirtz was a focal point of the offense in multiple ways, and without his scoring, other players must step up. Combs is one of them, and he showed he can rise to the challenge.
Combs had a perfect shooting night, scoring 13 points on 4/4 from the field, 1/1 from beyond the arc, and 4/4 from the free-throw line. Combs often deferred to Stirtz, Sage, Koch, and Folgueiras, but they need him to score more this year. He averaged 34.4 points per game as a high school senior, proving he can score, and he needs to tap into that. The game doesn't count, but Combs being more aggressive in looking for his shot and getting to the rim is exactly what everyone wanted to see.
Ben McCollum was impressed by Trevin Jirak, and it was easy to see why
McCollum used a small rotation last season, usually around seven players. Former Iowa Mr. Basketball Trevin Jirak was in the rotation early on, but fell out as the Big Ten schedule started. Jirak was overwhelmed by physicality at times and was reluctant to score. It was only one game, but he was much more aggressive in looking for his own shot and even brought the ball up the court a few times. McCollum was impressed with Jirak on the floor, and Jirak showcased his all-around game.
Jirak finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists, playing a role similar to McKeever while also attacking the basket aggressively. With McKeever in the fold and Manyawu back, Jirak might be lower on the depth chart, but he proved why he can make an impact when he's in the game. He is showing more confidence than last season and looks much more ready to play than in his first season. If Jirak continues playing well, he gives McCollum another weapon in the paint.
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