Hawkeye newcomer: Devon Archie

July 21, 2009

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The past two winters, Devon Archie was a member of a Vincennes (Ind.) Junior College men’s basketball team that averaged 25 wins per season. Archie brings that winning mentality to the University of Iowa, and the formula for success is clear-cut.

“Hard work, play with confidence and play team ball,” said Archie, a 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward. “That’s what it takes to win.”

Archie is one of four newcomers to the Hawkeye roster, joining freshmen Brennan Cougill, Eric May and Cully Payne.

“They’re real talented freshmen,” Archie said. “They’ll be helpful this year.”

In head coach Todd Lickliter’s second season, Iowa compiled a record of 15-17 overall, 5-13 in the Big Ten Conference. The Hawkeyes won 13 of 17 games inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Archie, a native of Indianapolis, is no stranger to Lickliter and his staff.

“I met Coach Lickliter at a summer shoot-out my senior year of high school. We have a strong relationship,” Archie said. “His coaching style is laid back and he’s a good coach.”

Archie played just one season on the varsity team in high school before attending junior college. As a freshman at Vincennes he averaged 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 54 percent from the floor. Those numbers inflated to 6.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots as a sophomore.

“I’m more of a runner and more of a finesse athlete,” Archie said. “I’m not the type who is going to bang around like Jarryd Cole would do. I use my speed and quickness.”

After serving as team captain for both seasons at Vincennes, Archie knows he will inherit an immediate leadership role with the Hawkeyes. Archie and Cole are juniors; the lone senior is Devan Bawinkel.

“I have college playing experience,” Archie said. “I’ll talk to the younger players to keep them confident and motivated.”

Fellow `big man’ Cole is helping Archie acclimate to his new surroundings.

“Jarryd is a great captain,” Archie said. “He’s been real helpful. He’s helped me with my moves and developing skills so I can adjust to this conference.”

Iowa opens the season Nov. 8 with an exhibition game against Marian College. The first regular-season contest is Nov. 15 with the O’Reilly Auto Parts College Basketball Experience Classic.

Archie is looking forward to the leap into Big Ten Conference competition.

“This is a bigger stage and it will be a lot more physical than junior college,” Archie said. “It will be exciting to play in the Big Ten. It’s a tough conference and I’m going to play the best I can. I think I’ll be able to contribute right away. I’ve been getting stronger because of the workouts and my body’s feeling better. I’ll be ready by the time the season comes.”

Hailing from the state of Indiana, Archie knows what it’s like to live around basketball junkies. He has been awed with his reception in Iowa City.

“It’s been nice. Good fans and a nice arena,” Archie said. “I like it.”

Developing as a player and strengthening his game are two goals Archie set for himself for the 2009-10 season. A third goal emphasizes a winning recipe that will inevitably catapult the Hawkeyes up the league standings.

“I want to help the team,” Archie said. “I need to support the team any way possible.”

Archie Junior College Statistics