Iowa City, Iowa— Maryland guard Jahmir Young was a total nightmare for the Hawkeyes in Wednesday night’s 69-67 loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Senior guard Tony Perkins has begun to play some of his most consistent basketball of his career in the last month. He established the tempo early on both ends of the floor. While the Hawkeye offense did not appear polished, their defensive rotations were as sharp as they have been all season. Iowa held Maryland to seven points in the first 8:06. They also created five Terrapin turnovers.
For the majority of the first half, the Hawkeyes’ offense remained stagnant, but their defense continued to strangle the Maryland guards, particularly Jahmir Young, who entered Wednesday’s game averaging 20 points per night. Young would go without a field goal for the first 14:20.
When Iowa established a double-digit lead, Young became involved. After a controversial call gave Maryland possession, Young hit a three-pointer and added a pair of free throws. Freshman post Owen Freeman would start to impose himself inside. Freeman scored Iowa’s next four points to help keep Maryland at bay.
The Hawkeyes did not make a single three-pointer in the first half, but still maintained a 34-28 lead. Maryland made only two more field goals (11) than turnovers in the first half.
Josh Dix scored the first three points for the Hawkeyes in the second half, but Julian Reese remained a problem for Iowa’s defense. He’d make two field-goal attempts to help the Terrapins draw within three points. Iowa was frigid to begin the second half. They would spend more than three minutes without a bucket while Maryland had shots at the rim.
Reese and Young would take over in the second half. The tandem grabbed offensive rebounds, finished through contact at the rim, and felt more confident. Maryland took a 46-45 lead after a Reese layup, its first since the 18:49 mark in the first half.
Perkins would respond with his own three-pointer, restoring Iowa’s advantage. Brock Harding came off the bench and gave some enthusiasm. He got to the hoop, made a couple of beautiful passes, and Freeman continued to have an impact inside.
Seven different Hawkeyes would score within the first 13 minutes of the second half. Iowa struggled to hit baskets from the perimeter, but they did a good job of moving the ball down the middle of the zone and converting difficult interior shots.
Iowa typically struggles in low-scoring games, particularly when they do not make perimeter shots. Freeman struggled with fouls and eventually fouled out with 3:07 remaining. The Hawkeyes would allow back-to-back buckets, bringing the Terrapins within two points heading into the closing stretch.
The Hawkeyes were all over Young, but he managed to convert a difficult step-back three-pointer to give his team a one-point lead with 1:03 left. With a minute remaining, Iowa would lead by one point after Perkins made two free throws.
Young’s strong second half continued into the final stretch. Big shot after big shot– Young’s clutch gene showed itself again on the next possession, when he hit another massive three-pointer to put Maryland up two. With 21.2 seconds remaining, Perkins would score two free throws to tie the game. On the following play, the fifth-year guard drove to the hoop and converted a tough layup to give the Terrapins a crucial road victory.
Young finished the game with 22 points (17 in the second half), seven rebounds, and four assists. The Hawkeyes made three of fourteen three-pointers, while Maryland made seven of fifteen.
Stars of the Game:
Tony Perkins- The senior guard has improved over the last month. His eagerness and excitement to produce plays for others has grown to new heights. Iowa’s attack didn’t look very reliable at first, but Perkins controlled the game from start to finish. Whether it was mid-range jumpers, difficult finishes at the basket, or free throws, he was providing opportunities for Iowa to succeed.
He finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Owen Freeman- Freeman continues to establish himself as one of the Big Ten Conference’s most explosive young players. He’ll have to work on his perimeter game, but his combination of footwork, size, and strength makes him a difficult cover for anyone. Freeman has had a rough couple of weeks officiating. Following Iowa’s loss to Purdue, Fran McCaffery indicated that he wishes to see his’six-time freshman of the week’ receive more recognition.
Freeman finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Statistics of the Game:
Iowa was called for five trips in the game’s first 21 minutes.
Up Next:
The Hawkeyes are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they’ll travel to Ann Arbor, MI for a rematch against the Wolverines.
Bock: Reflections on recent developments in Iowa’s search for a new offensive coordinator.
Things are moving in Iowa City.
Iowa’s offensive coordinator search appears to be nearing a climax, with sources telling 247Sports that the Hawkeyes are focusing on two candidates this week, and they hope to have a new offensive coordinator by the end of the weekend, or at least a good idea of who the new offensive coordinator will be.
Caleb Williams tops three quarterbacks in Mel Kiper’s first estimate for the 2024 NFL draft.
Mel Kiper Jr., an ESPN analyst, presented his first 2024 NFL Mock Draft this week, which featured an early push on quarterbacks and many pass-catchers in the top 10. As with other recent mocks, there is a lot of skill ability expected to come off the board on Day 1, with multiple players vying for position on the next pre-draft circuit leading up to next month’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
With the draft order nearly determined, the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders must decide what to do with their top two picks and whether to start the draft with a quarterback. Justin Fields improved significantly in Chicago this season, but most experts believe the Bears will try to trade Fields for additional draft money, given the attraction of USC’s Caleb Williams at No. 1.
Several teams that are currently without a head coach, most notably the Chargers and Falcons, are eager to hire someone to start their respective pre-draft processes and protect their futures in 2024 and beyond.
Here are Kiper’s first-round picks, along with our views on each player:
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, quarterback, USC
Kiper expects Chicago to remain at No. 1 and see Williams as a potential franchise savior. The #1 pick was acquired by Chicago in a deal with the Carolina Panthers last season. Fields, this year’s starter, tossed only five touchdown passes in his first eight games but finished strong with 11 in his final five. As a starter, he’s helped the Bears go 10–28. According to ESPN NFL source Jeremy Fowler, Chicago is having a “difficult” time determining whether to continue with Fields or choose Williams first overall.
2. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: JAYDEN DANIELS, QB, LSU
This is the highest projection we’ve seen for LSU’s Heisman winner this spring, highlighting Kiper’s scouting report on the dual-threat prodigy who led college football in total offense and touchdowns this season.
3. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: DRAKE MAYE, QB, UNC
Where do new coach Jerod Mayo and the Patriots rank No. 3 overall? With favorable early returns on former first-round pick Mac Jones eroding, most expect New England to go with a quarterback in this place, either LSU’s Daniels or UNC’s Drake Maye, depending on who is available. Maye was a Tar Heels career record holder, having thrown for over 8,000 yards and 63 touchdown passes. He is a sure-fire top-five choice. Maye checks all of the NFL boxes in terms of size, arm strength, and athleticism.
4. ARIZONA CARDINALS: MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR, OHIO STATE
The most talented non-quarterback prospect this cycle is unquestionably Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., who would likely go first overall if the teams ahead of the Cardinals were not in desperate need of signal-callers. Harrison is not just a field stretcher with great bloodlines, but he also does the little things well and is a matchup nightmare due to his size and athleticism. If he continues to develop as an outstanding player, he has the potential to outperform his talented father at the next level.
5. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: BROCK BOWERS, TE, GEORGIA
Will the Chargers use their first-round pick to acquire a new weapon for Justin Herbert? Most NFL experts believe this, including Kiper in his initial mock. Brock Bowers concluded his career with 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns, making him one of the most productive tight ends in college football history and unquestionably Georgia’s top player at the position. He’s an excellent pass-catcher on third down, and considering the NFL’s love for drafting tight ends, he’s a can’t-miss, low-risk prospect.
6. NEW YORK GIANTS: MALIK NABERS, WR, LSU
Malik Nabers, like Harrison, is a huge play waiting to happen, with the ideal skill set that should translate into rapid success at the next level. If New York chooses a pass-catcher with an early first-round pick, they will have several alternatives. Nabers finished just shy of winning the Biletnikoff this season after a stellar season with the Tigers as Jayden Daniels’ main target. Not only does he have excellent hands and route-running ability, but he’s a nightmare to bring down after catching the football.
7. TENNESSEE TITANS: JOE ALT, OT, NOTRE DAM
Joe Alt, everyone’s favorite offensive lineman prospect this cycle, has shown to be one of the nation’s most consistent offensive linemen. Alt helped prepare the way for Doak Walker finalist Audric Estime’s career-best running performance in his final game with the Fighting Irish, an astounding performance that almost guaranteed top-10 credit. Alt also kept Sam Hartman upright for the whole season. Alt is the type of guy you can sign a long-term contract with confidence. Tennessee needs offensive line help, and that is the assumption here.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: DALLAS TURNER, OLB, ALABAMA
Dallas Turner, a former freshman All-American at Alabama who won SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season, is 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, and has the look of a future first-round pick. He set career highs this season with 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Turner’s speed and athleticism make him a popular hybrid defender, and Alabama allows him to play in a variety of positions. He is comfortable fighting off double teams and will be a three-down danger in the NFL.
9. CHICAGO BEARS: ROME ODUNZE, WR, WASHINGTON
This season, no receiver in college football mastered the back-shoulder reception and red zone productivity like Rome Odunze for the Huskies, who finished second in the nation. He gave defensive coordinators fits with his excellent route-running talents and superior hands. According to Kiper, three wideouts are capable of breaking into the top ten this cycle, with Odunze among them. If the Bears do choose a quarterback at No. 1, Odunze is the ideal complement in the passing game for a new option behind center.
10. NEW YORK JETS: OLU FASHANU, OT, PENN STATE
Several teams could benefit from a cornerstone tackle to protect their quarterback, and the Jets are near the top of the offensive lineman wish list. Penn State’s Olu Fashanu would have been a first-round pick in the 2023 draft, but he elected to stay with the Nittany Lions for another season to try to win the Big Ten championship. That speaks something about his mental state and desire to win as a player. Most analysts see Fashanu as an early first-round lock, maybe off the board as the first non-quarterback or receiver selected unless Notre Dame’s Alt gets that distinction.
12. Denver Broncos: Laiatu Latu, OLB, UCLA
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
14. New Orleans Saints: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
15. Indianapolis Colts: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Many mock drafts, including this one by Kiper, project Arnold will be selected inside the first 15 picks. Following this month’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, Arnold hinted at a possible return to Alabama, saying, “We’ve got unfinished business.” However, despite a viral social media image indicating his return, Arnold never explicitly stated that he will return in 2024. He could be the first cornerback selected.
16. Seattle Seahawks: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kamari Lassiter, CB, UGA
Verse earned a first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC selection after earning 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2022. Despite being anticipated as a first-round draft pick, he returned to Tallahassee for the 2023 campaign. He started all 13 games during FSU’s undefeated regular season. Verse had 41 total tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He was chosen to the All-ACC First Team for the second consecutive season. The Associated Press also picked the defensive end to its second-team All-American list.
21. Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
23. Houston Texans: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
24. Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
25. Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Newton, the top interior defensive lineman on Kiper’s Big Board, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection with the Fighting Illini. This season, he had 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and team-highs in quarterback hurries (8) and blocked kicks (3). He’ll be a high-end first-round pick, and most estimates suggest that teammate Keith Randolph Jr., who plays the same position, will be selected early on Day 2.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
27. Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
According to Lions247, Robinson completed his Penn State career with All-Big Ten first-team honors during his junior season. Robinson recorded 15 tackles (12 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass breakup, five quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles in ten games. He missed two games and a portion of a third due to injury.
30. Detroit Lions: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
31. Baltimore Ravens: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
32. San Francisco 49ers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Mims, a preseason All-SEC First Team selection at right tackle, appeared in only seven games this season after suffering an ankle injury in the conference opener against South Carolina that necessitated surgery. According to Dawgs247, Mims returned to the lineup against Ole Miss but re-injured his ankle early in the SEC Championship Game loss to Alabama, causing Georgia to reshuffle its offensive line. Injuries are partially to blame for the first-round slump.
