Iowa basketball players like increased depth

After sitting out last year as part of his transfer from Iowa State, Adam Haluska is ready to don the black-and-gold of the University of Iowa basketball team. Haluska was the second leading scorer among freshmen in the Big 12 in the 2003 season, but transferred to Iowa as part of the fallout from Larry Eustachy’s firing. Haluska says he’s ready to go as he says he soaked up the experience on the sidelines and learned a lot to prepare for this year. Haluska says he’s learned a lot from Iowa coach Steve Alford’s staff and how to improve his game. Haluska says he’s ready to step in wherever he is needed on the team. He says he wants to help whether it’s on defense or with shooting. The Carroll native was named to the Big 12 all-freshman team when at Iowa State, shooting 76-percent from the free throw line and almost 34-percent from three-point range He will join junior guard Jeff Horner and an experienced corps of players. Horner says the players realize the pressure is on head coach Steve Alford but don’t want it to become a distraction. He says there’s a point to where you shouldn’t be and he says you have to get over that and produce under pressure. Horner is excited about the potential, as he says it’s the best team he’s been on at Iowa when it comes to talent.Horner says with more depth on the team he won’t be counted on to score as much. He says they have more weapons, so he’ll look to distribute the ball more than he has in the past.