Who is the Iowa MBB 2nd Option?

Before the start of the year, it was a conclusion that Kris Murray was going to be the engine of Iowa's offense. That fact has not changed at all. Kris Murray leads the team in points and rebounds at (21.2 ppg, 9.0 rbpg). Kris has lived up to his last name, and has proven he is fully capable of leading the Hawkeyes. However every batman needs a robin, so who is the robin of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

It seems like the second option for the Iowa Hawkeyes is not as crystal clear as one would seem. Any given night, a player steps up and supplements points alongside Kris or even leads the team. Determining a definitive second option is no easy task, and we have plenty of players that qualify.

C Filip Rebraca (13.8 ppg, 8.7 rbpg, 2.1 apg)

Iowa's senior center Filip Rebraca is certainly a name that comes to mind when thinking about a second option. On paper, he is a clear cut answer, he literally averages the most points behind Kris Murray. However the margin is very thin. Between the top three scorers behind Kris, there is only a 3 point difference. So if we had to measure Iowa's second option based on overall impact, Filip Rebraca is not a clear runaway in this conversation. Rebraca certainly is an anchor on defense and has lead the team in rebounds in 8 games this season. He has also eclipsed his total blocks on the season from last year (24) at 26. Rebraca has also shot more efficiently this year in the paint, converting at a 57.1% rate as compared to last year where he shot at a 53.4% mark. If Filip continues this level of production and defensive prowess he is the answer.

PG Tony Perkins (10.9 ppg, 3.5 rbpg, 2.9 apg)

It's no question that when Tony Perkins is at his best, the Hawkeyes are also at their best. Perkins experienced a slump in the middle of the season, three games prior to when Iowa played Maryland, where the starting point guard only scored a combined 17 points and shot 6-for-28. This was a different story when Maryland came to Carver Arena and Tony led the team in scoring with 22 points (10-for-13) and a win. Perkins is the primary facilitator and ball handler at point guard. He can also be an electric finisher at the rim and surprising dunking ability. In my opinion, Tony Perkins can be Iowa's second option when he wants to be. A confident Tony Perkins who is feeling himself is a dangerous Tony Perkins, and in turn a dangerous Iowa team.

F Payton Sandfort (10.4 ppg, 4.0 rbpg, 1.7 apg)

Payton Sandfort is a standout sophomore from Waukee. His first breakout game was against Southeast Missouri last month where he scored 24 points. Ever since that game, Sandfort has been off and on as far as production until Iowa's recent game against the Rutgers where he led the team with 22 points and a triumphant win. Where Payton Sandfort can qualify as a legitimate second option is his vocal leadership on the court. During Iowa's furious 21-point comeback over Indiana, many teammates praised Sandfort for his ability to engage players even when their down by a large deficit. That is an invaluable quality for any player on the floor. At the end of the day, Payton Sandfort is a project player for Fran McCaffery, and he has the potential to be the second option for the Hawkeyes for the next however-so-many years.