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Jarrod Uthoff
Bio: Sophomore, 6'9" 209, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Stats:
Uthoff is playing his first season of college basketball. In two games with Iowa he's averaging 21 minutes, is 7-14 shooting (50%), averages 11.5 points, 7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.
What we saw last season. Jarrod Uthoff committed to play basketball for Bo Ryan at Wisconsin and following a red-shirt freshman season decided to transfer and play for Fran McCaffery at Iowa. Uthoff had to pay his own way and sit out yet another year due to transfer rules but he is now on scholarship at Iowa and contributing 21 minutes per game in his first two outings as a Hawkeye. While we don't have a previous college season to look back on, we can see that Uthoff had an excellent session in the Prime Time League (Iowa's summer defense-optional recreational league) where he averaged 21.9 points and 9 rebounds in games against his peers.
What we need to see this season. Iowa lacks outside shooting and while 6'9", Uthoff can be the guy that extends defenses, especially while Iowa plays six weeks without Josh Oglesby. Uthoff is a match-up nightmare for opposing coaches because he can play with his back to the basket in the post but his game is better suited outside, facing the basket. He's one of the team's best free throw shooters and is already 8-9 from the free throw line this season. (He finished the summer league 28-29 from the charity stripe.) With the ability to shoot from outside, Uthoff can also fake and slash to the basket drawing old fashioned three point opportunities.
Best-case scenario. Uthoff gets comfortable with the speed of the college game and becomes a starter. Fran McCaffery has flexibility with Uthoff and can insert him in both big and small lineups when the opponent match-up calls for it. He can become one of Iowa's five best players and average 20 mins, 14 points and six rebounds.
Most likely scenario. While not a freshman, his rail thin body and inexperience playing a full season will mean some ups and downs when Iowa gets into the meat of their schedule. I don't question his fitness but it's possible Uthoff hits that wall that many first year freshmen hit in late January and February. He'll lead Iowa in scoring on occasion but disappear against physical teams. He'll average 18 minutes a game and 10 points and four rebounds.
One request. Uthoff's transfer from Wisconsin to Iowa wasn't clean and easy. Bo Ryan put Iowa on a list of restricted schools in which Uthoff could transfer. Uthoff was forced to appeal the restrictions and Ryan cited "the rules of the scholarship." Eventually, Wisconsin allowed Uthoff to transfer to Iowa but lost a season of eligibility. So, Jarrod, beat Wisconsin. Beat them and that troll coach Bo Ryan on January 5th when Iowa heads to Madison. Beat them on February 22nd in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in front of a sold out crowd. Beat them into oblivion.