Dec. 21, 2010
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- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.
PARDON OUR PROGRESS! As friends of the UI and fans of the Hawkeyes know, the UI Athletics Department is well into a multi-million dollar revitalization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This important and exciting project has reduced for this season the number of ticket windows that are operational on game nights. Fans attending the home events of the 2010-11 UI men’s basketball, women’s basketball and wrestling teams are invited to avoid game night delays by purchasing their event tickets online or in advance of game day. If your schedule doesn’t allow for an advance purchase, we recommend you consider arriving at the Arena a little earlier than originally planned. Go Hawks!
IOWA CITY, Iowa — We’ve all heard the saying, the older you are, the wiser you get. UI men’s basketball player Andrew Brommer is a walking example, as his play and confidence for the Hawkeyes is at an all-time high in his junior campaign.
After seeing limited playing time in each of his first two seasons with the Hawkeyes, Brommer has made the most of his opportunities in head coach Fran McCaffery’s up-and-down system. The 6-9, 235 pound, forward is playing with more energy and he’s more confident in utilizing his abilities in running the floor.
“They (the coaches) just allowed me to play my game,” said Brommer, who is averaging 3.5 points in 11.2 minutes per game . “They knew I could do certain things, and they let me do them and didn’t limit me.”
Brommer’s breakout collegiate game came on Dec. 10, when he scored a career-best 12 points in the narrow loss to Iowa State. The Rosemount, Minn., native made 6-of-7 shots in just 16 minutes of action, while pulling down four rebounds.
“He (Andrew) is playing with a lot of energy,” said junior Matt Gatens. “He’s putting some good post moves out there, hitting the offensive glass and dunking. He’s playing well and getting up and down the court. When he gets in there, he knows he needs to play hard, and he is.”
McCaffery has taken notice of Brommer’s strong play, and he’s adjusted his rotation to account for it.
“I think he’s been playing really well lately,” said McCaffery. “The hard thing for him was the period of time that I was rotating three post players. He seemed to be the one that was having the hardest time.
“Finally when I went to two, it really helped Jarryd (Cole) and Andrew. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been helpful to Devon Archie. In order for us to maximize what we were getting out of Cole and Brommer, somebody’s playing time had to be diminished.”
In the game against the Cyclones, Brommer excited the crowd with a thunderous dunk, and also showed some nifty skills in the post with baby hook.
“I think that being a junior I have a lot of confidence and my post moves are getting better,” said Brommer. “I work on them every single day in practice.”
“Andrew is not only a good offensive player in terms of being able to score, as he can go off either shoulder, and he’s got a left hand he can finish with,” said McCaffery. “He can pass the ball and pass and catch and you can go in and out with him.
“A lot of times people think a low post presence is you throw in there and a guy scores — and that’s great. If you can throw it in there and make good things happen that doesn’t necessarily involve shooting the ball that’s a bonus. That’s where he’s been very good for us.”
With nonconference play scheduled to end on Tuesday night against Louisiana Tech, the Hawkeyes will look to Brommer to continue to elevate his play once the rugged Big Ten play begins Dec. 29 against Illinois.