Even Brauns is enjoying his return to Iowa City. The former Iowa City West standout transferred to Iowa after averaging seven points and nearly five and-a-half rebounds as the center at Belmont last season. He looks to help a Hawkeye team that lost its top two scorers from last year’s team that finished 19-14.

Brauns says the chance to return home was one of the factors in his decision.

Brauns is one of two new Hawkeyes who played in the Missouri Valley last season. Ben Krikke (crick-E) led the Valley in scoring at Valparaiso.