Gatens defense will be the hardest thing to replace

[homes]

Fran is right - Gatens plays outstanding defense. It is often overlooked, but it is the element that will be missing the most next year, moreso than his scoring. Others on the team will take plays off. The faster they learn that can't be done, the closer they'll be to realizing their potential next year. Scoring points is fun, but when Iowa played its best this year, its defense is what carried them.

 

[hawkIhoops]

No doubt Gatens stepped his game up on both ends of the court this season, but I am more concerned about losing his scoring. It didn't matter how well Gatens defended in our blowout losses because nobody else seemed to understand their assignments, blocking out, etc. He had some great defensive performances against prolific scorers this season, but I believe we only won one of those games (Michigan).