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Fran McCaffery reveals message to Payton Sandfort amid shooting struggles
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Fran McCaffery knows that Payton Sandfort has not always been a reliable shooter. However, McCaffery revealed his mindset when it comes to rough shooting stretches for his players.
Sandfort’s field goal percentage this season currently sits at 39.6%. Sandfort didn’t let that bother him and knocked down plenty of shots in the win over Michigan on Thursday. Sandfort finished the game with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
McCaffery believes that a player is not going to trust themselves if the coach doesn’t.
“I would say this: He is not gonna trust himself if the coach doesn’t trust him,” said McCaffery. “I say it all the time: Trust your talent. I trust you.”
Fran McCaffery on sticking with Payton Sandfort through his shooting struggles: “I would say this: He is not gonna trust himself if the coach doesn’t trust him. I say it all the time: Trust your talent. I trust you…”
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) January 13, 2023
The trust in Sandfort paid off on Thursday as Iowa beat Michigan 93-84 in overtime. It’ll be interesting to see if Sandfort can keep up this kind of play down the stretch.
Iowa will be at home again for its next game. Iowa faces Maryland on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on BTN.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.