The Iowa men’s basketball team should be a team to watch out for in the next couple of years. While things have not gone great for Iowa in the past, that’s about to change. The Hawkeyes have a really great infusion of youth and that is something that Iowa fans should be excited about. Hopefully, they begin to pack inside Carver-Hawkeye again. With only losing 3 guys from last year’s roster, Iowa is expected to make a run as one of the top teams in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes lose Tony Perkins, Patrick McCaffery, Ben Krikke, and Dosonte Bowen.

Here is who will be returning for the Hawkeyes next year: First, the reigning freshman of the year Owen Freeman as well as Josh Dix who had a breakout year during his sophomore campaign. Payton Sandfort declared for the NBA Draft but is maintaining his collegiate eligibility. Many Iowa fans expect him to return and be a big piece to this Hawkeye team in 2024-25. Payton’s brother, Pryce Sandfort, is expected to have an increased role during his sophomore campaign. Other guys returning are Brock Harding, who is expected to make a push for a job in the starting lineup next year as a sophomore, and Ladji Dembele will have key bench minutes.

Iowa has 2 incoming recruits who are due to make an impact right away. Cooper Koch is a 4-star recruit from Metamora Illinois and is ranked number 70 nationally among small forwards. He is expected to make a push to be in the starting lineup for Fran McCaffery as a freshman.  Another recruit is power-forward Chris Tadjo. He is a 3-star recruit from Mexico who will fill in some much-needed bench minutes for Fran McCaffery. Iowa also landed its first transfer of the off-season guard, Drew Thelwell from Morehead State, who averaged 10.0 points per game and 6.2 assists per game.

Q: Tell me your thoughts on Iowa’s season this year.

Adam Bryte: “A little disappointing ’cause Iowa failed to make the NCAA Tournament. It was kind of like a rebuilding year.”

Mr. Schnebbe: ” I felt like this season was frustrating due to the inconsistencies.”

Q: How do you think Iowa will be next year with most of the team returning?

Bryte: “I think we will do pretty well. We return mostly everybody and we will be one of the best shooting teams.”

Q: Do you attend games in person or watch on TV?

Bryte: “I go once a year.”

Schnebbe: “I watch on TV, but sometimes it is hard to watch because of how they played this year.”

Q: How will the absence of McCaffery, Bowen, Krikke, and Tony Perkins impact the team?

Bryte: “I don’t think it will hurt that much. Perkin is the one who will be missed most.”

Schnebbe: “Perkins will be missed the most. He did a good job creating scoring opportunities for himself and others. The others are replaceable.”

Q: How do you think the team will compete with the rest of the Big Ten?

Bryte: “I think we could finish in the top 5 because we can score.”

Schnebbe: “Middle of the pack.”

Q: How many years until Fran McCaffery retires?

Bryte: “I think Fran is gone after the 24-25 season. His youngest son Jack is not coming to Iowa either. Patrick also transferred.”

Schnebbe: “Two years if Iowa doesn’t start contending for Big Ten titles.”

Q: Which Iowa Player will make the biggest impact in 2024-25?

Bryte: “Owen Freeman. He won freshman of the year and is only going to get better.”

Schnebbe: “Owen Freeman because he actually plays defense.”

Look for Iowa to be one of the most experienced teams in the Big Ten for the next few years with these new changes. This will start to get big crowds inside Carver-Hawkeye again.