6/15/2011: Initial PTL observations, Larson audio (premium)
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
Following the 2011 Prime Time League draft that took place June 14 at Monica’s in Coralville, I decided to compile a list of initial observations I have made about this summer’s league before it begins play this coming weekend at the North Liberty Community Center. I also interviewed PTL commissioner Randy Larson after the PTL draft to get his take on what he expects this summer.
1. Cartwright being the top pick shouldn’t be surprising
The feeling I got from Prime Time League coaches throughout the evening is that Melsahn Basabe would have been the top pick if he wasn’t heading to Colorado Springs, Colo., this week to try out for the USA U-19 squad that will be playing in Latvia later this summer. That being said, it shouldn’t be as big a shock as it initially was that Bryce Cartwright was taken first. Even though he came into last season as an unknown commodity, Cartwright eventually became the most important player for the Hawkeyes and perhaps the team’s most valuable.
2. Devon Archie taken third
I have to imagine this came as a bit of a surprise to Hawkeye fans out there. It was a surprise to me as well. I won’t say the PTL is the best indicator of what people can expect when Iowa’s season starts in the fall, but I do believe it is an indicator. Being down in North Liberty every night the PTL happened last summer, Archie wasn’t always there and wasn’t necessarily someone that filled up stat sheets. Maybe with a competition being there with fellow senior Andrew Brommer to potentially start in 2011-12, it might light a fire under Archie this summer. It will be worth keeping an eye on.
3. The new guys
This is always one of the first things to get talked about — where the new players end up. Junior Anthony Hubbard was picked fourth overall, but he is the only Hawkeye on his PTL squad this summer. I honestly don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing for him in the long run because I would imagine him preferring to build some cohesion with Iowa teammates. As for the three incoming freshmen, I think the one that will benefit most this summer will be Gabe Olaseni being on the same PTL team as Bryce Cartwright, especially if Olaseni emerges as someone that could start sooner rather than later for the Hawkeyes. Aaron White and Josh Oglesby will also have everyone who makes the trek to North Liberty this summer watching them.
4. Eric May might have most to gain
The one player I really want to watch closely this summer is May, mainly because Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery has raved about how May’s offseason has gone after a sophomore campaign that had to feel tumultuous at times. A groin injury suffered around the start of Big Ten play was a turning point in his season, as May began looking very inconsistent. But the thing to remember is that May and Zach McCabe were on the squad last summer that won the PTL, so this is a good chance for him to continue regaining some confidence that could carry over into the upcoming season.
5. The old guys are still around
The last major observation I’ll make here is with three guys that have been playing in this league for as long as I can remember. Three former Hawkeyes — Darryl Moore, Duez Henderson and Jason Price — will once again be suiting up this summer in the PTL. In fact, Moore and Henderson are on the team featuring Archie and Devyn Marble, while Price will play for Larson’s squad that features May, Brommer and Oglesby.
Again, the Prime Time League officially gets underway June 19. Below is audio from my interview with Larson following this week’s draft: