Former walk-on Nicholas Baer lone senior on the team
KCJJ Staff
03/01/19
The Iowa men’s basketball team has made headlines for all the wrong reasons recently. On Saturday they’ll honor a player who has only ever made them for the right ones.
Nicholas Baer is the lone senior for the 22nd-ranked Hawkeyes. The Bettendorf native has gone from walk-on – earning a scholarship after his freshman season – to ranking ninth all-time in blocks in program history. He’ll be honored prior to Iowa’s home finale against Rutgers.
Head coach Fran McCaffery won’t coach that game as he serves a two-game suspension for an outburst against an official earlier in the week but made a point of noting earlier this week he will participate in the Senior Day activities.
“I’ll be there to present Nicholas with his jersey and hug his family and hug him,” McCaffery said. “I love him. He’s been a big part of my career. I haven’t coached too many like him. He’s really, truly one of the most special people and one of the most special families I’ve been associated with. So I’m looking forward to that.”
It will be a family affair, and not just before the game – Baer’s younger brother, Michael, is also on the team.
While Baer is the only senior, he may not be the only Hawkeye playing his last game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena; juniors Tyler Cook and Isaiah Moss each tested the NBA Draft waters last offseason before deciding to return to college.
Saturday’s game tips off at 4 p.m. and is being shown on BTN.