Lickiter enjoys final test run

One week from today the Iowa Hawkeye Basketball team will tip off the 2009-10 season for real. But, Sunday afternoon they held their final dress rehearsal in an exhibition win over Marian University, 76-53. Coach Todd Lickliter spoke the media after the game and talks about the play of Cully Payne at point guard, the rebounding of Aaron Fuller, plus a whole lot more.

Opening Statement

It’s interesting and fun to kind of play under the lights and sort of rehearse, test, and for our guys to experience what that is like on kind of a trial basis. There will be no more make believe from here on out. One of the reasons that I wanted to play this team was that I have known John Grimes for a number of years and I respect what he does. He has been at it for 34 years and he has had some really good teams. A lot of his players would come over to Hinkle and play with our guys in open gyms at different times. I knew that they were a team that would not beat themselves and not going to fall apart. They are going to be poised, make open shots, and play hard. It was a good experience for our guys to learn that it is a possession by possession game. You don’t ever hurry up and win. You execute, execute, and stay the course. We had three freshman play a lot, so that was a good experience for them. All in all, it was probably what we had hoped for.

Q: You had 15 rebounds from Aaron Fuller. You had to be satisfied with the progress he has made.

LICKLITER: I have to tell you that I have been watching him for a number of weeks and I wondered if it was an issue of not being able to block out or was he an aggressive, stronger rebounder. He usually rebounds on the offensive end a little better, so give them credit for blocking out. They maintained position well. Aaron has a knack and can pursue balls and rebound outside his area, which is a good talent to have.

Q: Can you talk about how far Devan Bawinkel has come for you from a new guy on campus for you last year to a team captain and three pointer shooter.

LICKITER: It doesn’t surprise me at all. He is a guy, and I forget who I heard this quote from, but he said be a star in your role. That is Devan Bawinkel. He is a star in his role. He is not concerned with anything but helping us. It doesn’t surprise me. He has been a terrific teammate from day one and I have a feeling it is going to remain that way. He has always been a terrific shooter. I predict that he will get to the line before the end of the season. (laugh)

Q: Anthony Tucker looks like he is right where he left off shooting the ball.

LICKLITER: I don’t know if he is right where he left off. I thought he was awfully sore a couple of weeks ago. I feel like he is moving better and that is exciting. I think Anthony has a skill that you have to work at, but it one that he should appreciate. It’s a funny thing; I told him that I never had this problem because a coach never jumped on me for not shooting. I told him it would be a nice problem to have. I told him if he has an open look, that is when he gets in trouble if he doesn’t shoot it. He is not alone. Matt Gatens has been shooting it really well. You saw him start off and he hit the three really well. I feel like Anthony has really made strides. I thought that going overseas was a good thing for Anthony. He could get back on the court and I think it has probably paid dividends.

Q: Is there a set number of three’s that you would like to take or is that dictated by the defense that you are seeing?

LICKLITER: It is more who’s got it and who’s shooting them. I want our guys who can make them shooting them. We are going to have to complement them, there is no question. We have got to get to the line a little bit and we have to figure out ways. I think our posts are open at times and we are missing them. We are not a team that throws it in there and let our guys go to work, but if they are slashing, they are very capable. We have to figure out a way to get Jarryd, Aaron, and Brennan more involved in the post. I think Eric May can post.

Q: Was the tempo of this game more to your liking?

LICKLITER: It was closer. I think what you are probably alluding to was that we probably shot a little quicker in transition then maybe you have seen in the first couple of years. I think we have a better feel for that. I think for some of these guys, you can’t get a better shot than just stepping into a three in transition. Gatens, Tucker, Cully Payne can shoot that, Bawinkel and Eric May are all very capable. The nice thing is that Jarryd Cole and Brennan Cougill run the floor hard. They are running to the front of the rim and they bring people with them. Maybe we can throw it into them some and balance it out.

Q: How did you feel about Cully Payne’s play today?

LICKLITER: I liked it. I like Cully Payne a lot. He has a big heart and he wants to play Hawkeye Basketball. That is exciting. He likes coaching. He is skilled. He is plenty athletic enough and he is strong. We have to get him to play a little higher percentage at times. You find out that maybe things that you have done another level as you graduate to another level, don’t work quite as well. We had a couple of those and I talked to Eric, Brennan, and Cully about that. I told that my father one time told me, I told him you have to learn by experience and he said it would be a lot easier if I just listened to him. At the time I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I am trying to tell them let’s not learn by experience. Just listen to me and believe me that jump bounce passes and different things probably don’t work.