Fran McCaffery on Jarrod Uthoff: 'We're ecstatic' [with video]
Jarrod Uthoff started classes at the University of Iowa today. He also became an official member of the Hawkeye basketball program.
“We’re ecstatic that Jarrod has become a part of the Hawkeye family,” said Iowa coach Fran McCaffery, in Des Moines to take part in the Coaches Versus Cancer golf outing at the Wakonda Club. “It was nice to be able to talk to him today. I welcomed him. I’ll spend some time with him this week. And I’ll meet with his parents this week.”
Uthoff, a 6-foot-8 forward from Cedar Rapids, transferred from Wisconsin after the 2011-12 season. He redshirted last season, and will have to sit out the upcoming season as well. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility remaining, starting in 2013-14. He announced on June 6 that he would attend Iowa.
According to Big Ten rules, Uthoff must pay his own way through school in 2012-13. McCaffery and his staff were not allowed to talk to Uthoff during the recruiting process. That restriction ended with the start of first semester classes today.
“He’s a verstaile 6-8 player,” McCaffery said. “He can shoot it, he can put it on the deck, he can play in the post. He can play on the perimeter. He’s an athlete who can run and play the style of basketball we want to play. I think it’s great fit for us, and a great fit for him.”
Asked if there would be any friction between the Iowa and Wisconsin programs over Uthoff’s transfer, McCaffery said, “I don’t. There wasn’t any friction when Ben Brust went there. It worked out for Ben. I’m happy for Ben. And I would think they’d be happy for Jarrod if he has success.”
Brust, a guard, signed with Iowa and former coach Todd Lickliter. Brust asked to be released form that scholarship when Lickliter was fired after the 2009-10 season. Iowa released him. Big Ten rules at the time didn’t allow players to transfer from one Big Ten school to another and remain on scholarship. Brust appealed to the Big Ten’s Academics and Eligibility Subcommittee, but was denied on April 22, 2010.
A week later, an 11-member committee made up of Big Ten faculty representatives voted in favor of an appeal by Wisconsin on Brust’s behalf. He later signed with the Badgers and went on scholarship immediately.
The Big Ten changed its intra-conference transfer rule in October of 2010, effective with the 2011-12 school year. Now, an athlete not granted a full release would have to pay tuition for a season but would be eligible to receive a scholarship after that.
“Essentially the rules were changed because of Ben Brust,” McCaffery said. “Before Ben Brust, (Uthoff) would have to pay his own way all the way through. The fact that he’s able to get a scholarship is because the rules were rewritten.”
Uthoff’s departure became a national story when Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan put transfer restrictions on more than 20 schools, including every Big Ten school, Iowa State and Marquette. Wisconsin later lifted those restrictions from every school but those in the Big Ten. Uthoff made offifical visits to Creighton and Iowa State.
“Sometimes a school is just not the right fit for you,” McCaffery said. “You know you have to get it right the second time. I’m happy for him he feels really good about it.”
McCaffery wants to see Uthoff do a lot of shooting, and get stronger, during his second straight season on the sidelines.
“We want him to be lean and powerful,” McCaffery said. “We’re not bulking him up.”Rich Text Area
Jarrod Uthoff started classes at the University of Iowa today. He also became an official member of the Hawkeye basketball program. “We’re ecstatic that Jarrod has become a part of the Hawkeye family,” said Iowa coach Fran McCaffery, in Des Moines to take part in the Coaches Versus Cancer golf outing at the Wakonda Club. “It was nice to be able to talk to him today. I welcomed him. I’ll spend some time with him this week. And I’ll meet with his parents this week.” Uthoff, a 6-foot-8 forward from Cedar Rapids, transferred from Wisconsin after the 2011-12 season. He redshirted last season, and will have to sit out the upcoming season as well. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility remaining, starting in 2013-14. He announced on June 6 that he would attend Iowa. According to Big Ten rules, Uthoff must pay his own way through school in 2012-13. McCaffery and his staff were not allowed to talk to Uthoff during the recruiting process. That restriction ended with the start of first semester classes today. “He’s a verstaile 6-8 player,” McCaffery said. “He can shoot it, he can put it on the deck, he can play in the post. He can play on the perimeter. He’s an athlete who can run and play the style of basketball we want to play. I think it’s great fit for us, and a great fit for him.” Asked if there would be any friction between the Iowa and Wisconsin programs over Uthoff’s transfer, McCaffery said, “I don’t. There wasn’t any friction when Ben Brust went there. It worked out for Ben. I’m happy for Ben. And I would think they’d be happy for Jarrod if he has success.” Brust, a guard, signed with Iowa and former coach Todd Lickliter. Brust asked to be released form that scholarship when Lickliter was fired after the 2009-10 season. Iowa released him. Big Ten rules at the time didn’t allow players to transfer from one Big Ten school to another and remain on scholarship. Brust appealed to the Big Ten’s Academics and Eligibility Subcommittee, but was denied on April 22, 2010. A week later, an 11-member committee made up of Big Ten faculty representatives voted in favor of an appeal by Wisconsin on Brust’s behalf. He later signed with the Badgers and went on scholarship immediately. The Big Ten changed its intra-conference transfer rule in October of 2010, effective with the 2011-12 school year. Now, an athlete not granted a full release would have to pay tuition for a season but would be eligible to receive a scholarship after that. “Essentially the rules were changed because of Ben Brust,” McCaffery said. “Before Ben Brust, (Uthoff) would have to pay his own way all the way through. The fact that he’s able to get a scholarship is because the rules were rewritten.” Uthoff’s departure became a national story when Wisconsin coach Bo R
yan put transfer restrictions on more than 20 schools, including every Big Ten school, Iowa State and Marquette. Wisconsin later lifted those restrictions from every school but those in the Big Ten. Uthoff made offifical visits to Creighton and Iowa State. “Sometimes a school is just not the right fit for you,” McCaffery said. “You know you have to get it right the second time. I’m happy for him he feels really good about it.” McCaffery wants to see Uthoff do a lot of shooting, and get stronger, during his second straight season on the sidelines. “We want him to be lean and powerful,” McCaffery said. “We’re not bulking him up.”
