2005 Iowa Hawkeyes Basketball Preview

2005 Iowa Hawkeyes Team Preview

The Hawkeyes have a stable of sound shooters and a wealth of starting experience. Last season they also had leading scorer Pierre Pierce-- at least for part of the season-- but Pierce was dismissed and with his departure the team went south. With determination and tenacity they managed to rebound near the end of the year; their late surge won them a NCAA berth.

Iowa has five returning seniors, three of whom are starters. Forward Greg Brunner and guard Jeff Horner help make the Hawkeyes an unpredictable group. From where will they score-- 3-point land with the effective Horner or inside or out with the tough Brunner?

Center Erek Hansen is a mix-it-up inside enforcer whose main threat is his physical game. Hansen is a fine shot blocker and accurate free throw shooter (72.2%). Although not a big scoring threat his inside shot has improved every year.

Perhaps the biggest factor for Hawkeye success this season will be shooting guard Adam Haluska. Haluska stepped up when Pierce was cut from the team, raising his point average from 12.7 to 16.4 per game. Haluska became the team’s go-to guy and dynamic on court engine. The best free throw shooter on the team (80.8%), he’s also an accurate field goal maker (47.8%). He can drive to the basket or drain a deep one, making Haluska a tough guy to stop.

Junior guard Mike Henderson is a rigorous penetrator capable of drawing in the defense and then kicking it back out to Haluska or other perimeter players. He’s the fifth element of a starting five that threatens opponents with their well-balanced attack.

The biggest problem this year for the Hawkeyes is depth. For this team to be competitive the starters must remain healthy. In a rough them up conference that should be a concern for coach and team.

For more info on the 2005 Hawkeyes check out the official Iowa athletic site.