Mystery Transfer Target Chooses South Florida Over Powerhouse Programs

Ah, the transfer portal, folks, it’s like the Wild West out there! We recently had our eyes on a major target, and lemme tell ya, Wes Enis, the 6-foot-2 guard from Lincoln Memorial, had us on edge. Yours truly, your trusty sports writer, had all but convinced himself he was Hawkeye-bound. There I was, ready to pen the headline “Enis Chooses the Wave of Black and Gold,” only to be blindsided by that rascal South Florida.

But hey, the team moves on, and so do we; that’s the spirit of the game! Under the sharpshooting Ben McCollum, the Iowa Hawkeyes are on a mission, rebuilding that roster with a keen eye for talent. Now, let’s talk about these transfers – they’re not just numbers on a page; they bring their heart and their hustle.

Take Bennett Stirtz for example, that Missouri Valley Player of the Year wasn’t just a stat; he was a force, averaging a sleek 19.2 points and assisting with precision at 5.7 per game. And then there’s Hausen, oh, don’t get me started on Hausen – his long-range shooting is a spectacle, making 39.5% from the field, and nearly 40% from the three-point line!

As for me, I never shy away from a good story or a great game. While I might’ve missed on Enis, the content at my fingertips – from Cam Manyawu to Tavion Banks – ensures my engagement with Hawkeye fans stays sharp and spirited.

It’s a fast-paced industry out there, both in sports and SEO, my friends! The game of rankings changes like the winds of March Madness, but I keep creating that engaging, SEO-friendly gold. So strap in, read on, and let’s ride this wave together. After all, it’s not just about what a team loses, but what they gain in character, in play, and in the fight!

You want the full scoop on the roster, the team dynamics, and what Enis’ choice means for Iowa? Well, I’ve got you covered! LEARN MORE.

Combs averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 80.0% from the free-throw line, while Howard averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game on 43.5% shooting from the field and 31.1% marksmanship from 3-point range.As first-year head coach Ben McCollum and the Hawkeyes look to completely retool their roster, Iowa has already landed a series of guards.The Iowa Hawkeyes were in the mix for one of the top Division II guards in the transfer portal. Former Lincoln Memorial guard Wes Enis included Iowa basketball among his six finalists.

Iowa has also added Drake transfer forwards Tavion Banks and Cam Manyawu and saw forward Cooper Koch withdraw his name from the transfer portal and opt for a return to Iowa City.Hausen was one of the nation’s top 3-point shooters last year, knocking down 90 from beyond the arc last season to rank fifth in the Big 12. The Amarillo, Texas, product averaged 10.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 39.0% from the field, 38.8% from 3-point range and 81.8% from the free-throw line. Of his 277 field goal attempts last season, 232 came from beyond the arc.

That group includes Drake transfer guards Bennett Stirtz, Kael Combs and Isaia Howard along with Kansas State transfer guard Brendan Hausen.The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 44.9% from the field, 41.1% from 3-point range and 84.6% from the free-throw line last season with the Railsplitters.Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF

Iowa joined Minnesota, West Virginia, NC State, DePaul and South Florida among Enis’ finalists. A native of Conover, Ohio, Enis visited Iowa last week.Stirtz earned Missouri Valley Player of the Year honors after averaging 19.2 points and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 39.5% from deep.

But, On3’s Joe Tipton broke the news that Enis had opted for South Florida, committing to the Bulls on Thursday evening.