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‘BTPowerhouse 25’ - No. 7 Jordan Bohannon

BTPowerhouse’s staff counts down the best players in the Big Ten heading into the 2021-’22 season.

By Bryan Steedman
Syndication: HawkCentral Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC

In the months leading up to the 2021-’22 college basketball season, BTPowerhouse will be releasing a series called the ‘BTPowerhouse 25,’ which features the Top 25 players in the Big Ten as voted by members of the staff. All players set to be on Big Ten rosters for next season were eligible during the staff vote with their top selection receiving 25 points and their 25th and final selection receiving 1 point.

Today’s edition will take a brief look at Jordan Bohannon of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who came in at No. 7 in the rankings. Iowa is looking to make it back to the postseason again even after losing a core of players that put up 1,584 points, or just over 51 points per game last season.

‘BTPowerhouse 25’ - No. 7 Jordan Bohannon:

  • Eligibility: Sixth Year Senior
  • Career Totals: 143 games, 4295 minutes, 1638 points, 346 rebounds, 639 assists, 98 steals
  • 2020-’21 Averages: 29.2 MPG, 10.6 PPG, 4.4 APG, 3.1 RPG, 0.5 SPG
  • Positional Role: Shooting Guard

Iowa will look considerably different in 2021-22 compared to last year when they earned a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. With star Luka Garza off to the NBA, sharpshooter CJ Fredrick transferring to Kentucky and Joe Wieskamp leaving early for the NBA, the Hawkeyes will be replacing most of their offensive production from last year. Luckily for Iowa, though, Jordan Bohannon announced he’d be taking advantage of last year not counting towards a players eligibility, allowing him to return for a rare sixth season. Bohannon will be key to Iowa’s success on a roster that will look entirely different this winter.

Player Strengths

Experience. Outside of Bohannon the only other returning Iowa player with considerable starting experience is guard Connor McCaffery. The duo will likely be leaned on heavily this season as Iowa will try to work some fresh faces into the rotation and replace the offseason departures. Bohannon was able to redshirt in 2019-20 due to injury, then 2020-21 didn’t count towards a year of eligibility due to COVID-19. That means Bohannon was able to return even though he has played in 143 games, 133 of which were starts.

It’s likely Bohannon will be utilized in more of a shooting guard role this season, especially with Joe Toussaint ready to see an expanded role this season. Bohannon is a 40% three point shooter throughout his career and will look to be one of Iowa’s main threats from beyond the arc. Bohannon is almost a 90% free throw shooter, giving Iowa an experienced and reliable option in the closing minutes of games. He can also distribute the ball effectively when he’s playing on the ball, posting 4.4 assists and only 1.4 turnovers per game last year.

Areas for Improvement

Bohannon has benefited the past few seasons playing alongside one of the best players in the Big Ten (Garza) and a stable of sharpshooters and offensive weapons. With Bohannon likely being relied on more this season can he keep his efficiency at the same levels this season? It’s most definitely possible, especially with some younger options likely ready to step up alongside him, but Bohannon isn’t exactly blowing by defenders and getting to the rim. Last season the senior averaged only 1.7 two pointers per game (compared to 6.6 three pointers per game) and actually short worse from inside the arc (38.5% compared to 39%).

Probably the biggest issue with Bohannon is his defensive game is meddling at best and the Hawkeyes had an absolutely awful defensive unit last year. Fran McCaffery will hope some of the new guys can step up, but Bohannon is a known commodity and it’s unlikely his defense will improve that much this season.

Player Projection

Bohannon is the most experienced player in the league and will likely spend his sixth season at Iowa continuing to rewrite the Hawkeyes record books. He’s a good three point shooter, lights out free throw shooter and can effectively distribute the ball while limiting turnovers and costly mistakes. On a team full of new starters and less experienced options, Bohannon is a known commodity and should be an anchor in both the backcourt and on the team in general. His defense is a weak point, but offensively he will be key for Iowa if they want to compete in the league.

How good Iowa is this year will likely be determined by the young guys seeing expanded roles. If they can break out the Hawkeyes could surprise people this season. If they don’t? Well, the Hawkeyes will likely be on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament this season. Regardless of all of that, Jordan Bohannon will still have another productive season and continue to replicate the success he has had throughout most of his career.

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‘BTPowerhouse 25’ Rankings:

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