NORTH LIBERTY - Cully Payne welcomes the notion of stepping into a pressure-filled situation at the point next season for the Iowa basketball team.

"That's a part of the challenge that I enjoy," Payne said.

After the departures of ball handlers Jeff Peterson and Jake Kelly, the incoming freshman will find himself with a challenge as a rookie point guard in the Big Ten.

"There have been people saying that you're going to start, you're going to have to do this right away," Payne said. "There's a little bit of pressure, but you can't really play at the University of Iowa without having pressure on you. It doesn't bother me. That's part of the deal."

That was part of the attraction for the 6-foot-1 guard from Schaumburg, Ill., who originally committed to DePaul after his eighth-grade year.

He eventually signed with Alabama last November before receiving a release from his letter of intent at the Southeastern Conference institution after the dismissal of Mike Gottfried.

The son of a coach, Payne wasn't shaken when Peterson and Kelly were among four Hawkeyes who left the program in late March.

If anything, he believes it has provided him with a greater opportunity.

"Some people don't think what happened was right, but everything happens for a reason," Payne said.

Payne has averaged 17 points and five assists in his first three Prime Time League appearances.

He knocked down four of the five 3-point shots he attempted in a game last week, and the southpaw has shown more than a sharp shooting touch.

He has controlled the flow of games with his ball handling and displayed pinpoint passing skills.

"He has come in right away and fit in," Iowa guard Matt Gatens said. "He's got a good game, and his shot may be even a little better than I was told it was. He's in control and plays with a lot of confidence, which is what you want at the point."

Payne isn't content.

Fully recovered from a back injury that ended his senior season at Schaumburg in late January, Payne understands that he must improve his strength to compete in the Big Ten and is spending time in the weight room four days each week this summer.

He also continues a daily ritual that allowed him to excel as an all-stater. He joins teammate Brennan Cougill for daily shooting sessions where each takes 200 shots.

"That's just something I've always done, and you can never work enough on your shot," Payne said.

He also knows his role will involve more than knocking down a few shots next season for Iowa.

"I know that they are looking for me to control the tempo, to make the offense work and I know I have to be ready physically for what lies ahead," Payne said. "I've got to get stronger."