CBS Sports shares Hawkeyes’ Top 100 and 1 ranking

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2023-24 men’s college basketball season is set to begin in less than two weeks on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. They will face North Dakota in their first game.

Before the season starts, the team has one exhibition game against Quincy on Monday at 7 p.m. This game will be played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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As the season approaches, national pundits are finalizing their preseason rankings and predictions. In the preseason Big Ten media poll, Iowa was ranked No. 9.

It’s understandable that some are uncertain about the team’s prospects since they will be replacing their top two scorers and rebounders, Kris Murray and Filip Rebraca.

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports is one of those who have reservations about Iowa’s performance this season. In his preseason Top 100 and 1 rankings, he placed the Hawkeyes at No. 79 nationally.

“Fran McCaffery has a history of surpassing expectations. However, with the loss of Kris Murray and Filip Rebraca, it’s unclear how competitive Iowa will be in the Big Ten. Payton Sandfort and Tony Perkins could form an exciting duo in the backcourt and have several high-scoring games. Ben Krikke, a transfer from Valpo, will face a challenge as he moves to Missouri Valley. – Norlander, CBS Sports.”

As Norlander mentions, guards Payton Sandfort and Tony Perkins are expected to be key players for Iowa this season. Forward Patrick McCaffery is another experienced member of the team.

After these players, the Hawkeyes will rely on transfers Even Brauns from Belmont and Ben Krikke from Valparaiso to fill the void left by Murray and Rebraca.

Sophomore guards Dasonte Bowen and Josh Dix are also expected to make significant contributions in the backcourt, building on their freshman seasons.

In addition, Coach Fran McCaffery is excited about the incoming freshmen. The group includes point guard Brock Harding, forwards Pryce Sandfort, Owen Freeman, and Ladji Dembele.

McCaffery acknowledges that the team is essentially starting anew this season, with four freshmen and two transfers. He believes their overseas trip and extra practice time have been crucial for the team’s progress.

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