1 Determined Hawkeye

Oct. 17, 2011

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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.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — You can see why Andrew Brommer would be eager to start practice and begin the season after rehabbing from summer knee surgery.

Due to another knee injury sustained in a team work out last week, the 6-foot-9, 247-pound center will miss preseason practice, but he is hopeful to return to the Hawkeyes in November.

Brommer was on help-side defense and the outside part of his knee got rolled up on by a teammate, resulting in a sprained right knee.

“It’s frustrating because I got to a point where I was finally healthy from my other injury and now I have to do it again,” said Brommer. “But it will be fine. I’ll be back in no time.”

Brommer had surgery last May to remove his bursa sac and scar tissue around the right knee cap. The injury was restricting his movement.

Despite his latest setback, Brommer is determined to help the Hawkeyes have a successful season.

“I’m excited for a big year,” he said. “Everyone on the team worked extremely hard in the offseason to prepare us for this season.”

Last year, Brommer played a pivotal role off the bench, played in all 31 games, averaging 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds. Hawkeye fans could see improvement from the Rosemount, Minn., native, as did the coaching staff. Brommer shared the team’s Most Improved Award with Roy Devyn Marble.

“I feel like my game has changed for the better,” said Brommer. “My basketball IQ has gone way up. Ever since coach (Fran) McCaffery came in, it’s gone up even more. He really challenges you to think and that’s good for all of us and will help us in the long run.”

Brommer is one of four seniors on this year’s squad and is ready to help shoulder responsibility of being a leader.

“I feel like all of us upperclassmen have an obligation to bring the freshmen along,” said Brommer. “We want to show them what it is to be a Hawkeye and how we do things in the system.”

Brommer , along with classmate Devon Archie, will need to help fill the role of center left by graduating senior Jarryd Cole. McCaffery talked about the importance of playing consistent basketball at that position during the team’s media day.

“They know my system and both had success under me,” said the second-year head coach. “I’ve encouraged both of them to believe in themselves and trust their talent. They were getting better at the end of the year; they were going in the right direction, and both had good summers.

“I feel good about those two guys. Even if they weren’t in the starting position, I know that we are going to get contributions out of both of them. I feel like they will be ready to step up and do what we need them to do and give us quality minutes.”

After one year, Brommer has been impressed with McCaffery and his staff. The interdepartmental studies major, believes he and his teammates know what is expected.

“He wants us to go about things a certain way, and I feel like we’ve adapted that culture here now,” said Brommer. “I want to study each scouting report and try to win that next game so we can put ourselves in position to go to the NCAA Tournament.”

To help reach that goal, Brommer added 12 pounds since last season, which will enable him to hold his own against Big Ten post players.

“I have gotten a lot stronger throughout college,” said Brommer. “When I came in I wasn’t very strong now I can bang with the big guys in the post because in the Big Ten you have to be able to bang and be athletic.”

Brommer said there is a business-like attitude in the locker room.

“Every day we talk about whether or not this is championship behavior,” said Brommer. “Is this going to make a difference in making it to the tournament? Every day is important and we go about our business like that.”