THIS IS AN ARTICLE, by Luke Maiers who is a member of Team Joey Freshwater.

Now before everyone gets all excited and calls me an idiot, I would just like to say that I appreciate what Peter Jok has done for the Iowa Hawkeyes since he first walked on campus. With that being said, though, Iowa has looked explosive in their last two performances without Jok suiting up. Granted, their two games without Jok have come against Ohio State and Rutgers, but their offense and defense have clicked.

What’s Different?

Jok’s offensive numbers are among the best in the nation, but where he lacks is on the defensive side of the ball. Jok can be a really good defender…when he wants to be, and that has been one of the biggest issues with the team this season. When your leader doesn’t want to play defense, why should you want to?

Another aspect of the game that has changed is the spacing on the floor. Jok usually takes between 15-20 shots per game, and with him not on the floor, it allows the ball to flow a little more for the Iowa offense. Instead of Jok needing to get his shots up, it results in ball movement to find the open man. How many people in the Big Ten know who Brady Ellingson is? Not many people probably do, but this man set the nets on fire against Ohio State, drilling 5-7 from deep. This is what can happen when you move the ball, you expose the defense and find your shooters.

Life after Jok

Jok will go down as one of Iowa’s all time best shooters, but the future in Iowa City is very bright. Iowa has 11 sophomores and freshman on this team with Jok being the only senior. They start four freshman and somehow, this team is 13-10. Give this team another year to grow up and they will be competing for Big Ten titles for years to come.

I do not want Jok to graduate, and once he is healthy enough to return I think he will help Iowa win some games in the Big Ten Tournament and maybe in a post season tournament somewhere. This article was suppose to raise a question, not say that Iowa is better off without him. He is still the leader of this team; there is no doubt about that.