Connor McCaffery Talks About Possibly Playing in '17-18

[NikeHawk21]

You are seriously discounting the attention Jok drew from opposing teams. He was the number target on everyone's scouting report. That emphasis is going to shift probably to a player like JBO. Life could be twice as difficult to get the same looks and how will he handle be 'mugged' on a continual basis. If he does what he did last year he will definitely be in consideration for all conference honors again.

Jok undoubtedly drew a lot of attention. Iowa’s team this year is going to play inside-out. Pound it inside to Cook, Garza, and Pemsl, and when the defense starts collapsing, kick it out to JBo, Moss, Baer, and Ellingson spotting up for 3.

 

[PCHawk]

He's going to go through some struggles count on it. That also does not mean he will not be effective down the road. It's just going to be different for him when we start playing power 5/6 programs that have strong, fast, quick and/ or athletic bigs. Learning how to score below the rim against equal competition will take some time this year. These comments have nothing to do with effort given.

What player doesn't go through struggles tho? People always say freshmen struggle, but all players do. You can have it one day and look terrible the next. I think Garza plays like Pemsl but taller. Pemsl had no problem finishing over tall opponents. Garza will have his off nights, but finishing around the rim will be a strong poont of his all year. The good news is, on nights he's off, Kreiner and Pemsl will just get more minutes. When Jok was off last year, we had no choice but to stick with him.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

Jok undoubtedly drew a lot of attention. Iowa’s team this year is going to play inside-out. Pound it inside to Cook, Garza, and Pemsl, and when the defense starts collapsing, kick it out to JBo, Moss, Baer, and Ellingson spotting up for 3.

Maybe that will work but I'll give you the opposite side of this and that is a number of good teams with good athletes may not have to double our guys inside or at any position so that means our spot up 3 point shooters are not open. We have few players if any that can create a shot in the half court.

 

[deanvogs]

Connor isn't going to be needed much this year, and he isn't going to accumulate any kind of stats IMO. Yet if he can get the ball down the court, and get the team into it's offense for 5-10 Min a game, that is all we need. Jordan is a 30-35 MPG player.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Maybe that will work but I'll give you the opposite side of this and that is a number of good teams with good athletes may not have to double our guys inside or at any position so that means our spot up 3 point shooters are not open. We have few players if any that can create a shot in the half court.

Agreed that could be the case. Not many teams have guys that can stop Cook on the low block. That is why Moss is key as he is the one guy who can create off the bounce.

 

[ibahawkeye]

Connor isn't going to be needed much this year, and he isn't going to accumulate any kind of stats IMO. Yet if he can get the ball down the court, and get the team into it's offense for 5-10 Min a game, that is all we need. Jordan is a 30-35 MPG player.

I agree with you and after the Euro trip and last night, I’m pretty comfortable he’ll be able to fill that role.

I certainly feel more comfortable with him than I do Ellingson or Dailey at the PG.

 

[sportstalent]

I hope he keeps the redshirt. I really do not see the need to burn it, unless there are injuries. From my own perspective, I would like to see the trio of CM, JW and PM play together for 3 years and not 2.

 

[dahlhawk]

CMac looks confident and ready, I don't think its coincidence that we played our best ball when he was in the game. And at 6'5 he can do things to create match-up problems. As far as bad lateral movement Williams was terrible. CMac will get better and its clear that he compliments JBo.
I loved the hustle of Garza, he goes after every board. Tyler Cook should benefit by cleaning the boards as Garza blocks out. I like the fact that Garza will inside out the ball to open shooters. He is a relentless poster. He had some nice feeds to other Bigs as well.

 

[FirstDownHawkeyes]

A few thoughts after digesting this thread. Disclosure, I didn’t see the game but have read about it. First, Iowa lost an exhibition game and ended up beating the #1 team in the country later that year on its climb to a brief stint in the top 5 so how much can you really infer from a FM led exhibition game. Second, although Iowa’s D was bad last year, I don’t think it can be overstated how much of that was bc of a lack of size inside. Last season Iowa did an OK job getting misses but failed way too often clearing the board. If they would have been better in the defensive glass, their D numbers would have looked far better. Adding size should help that. Having rim protectors to limit the damage from effective dribble drive penetration has been discussed often here. Lastly, the namesake of the thread was re C Mac pulling the RS. It sounds like he could really help the team win and fill a role as more of a true pg ball handler although I don’t think it’s as dire a situation as it’s been made. Barring a JBo injury or foul trouble (happened 2x last season), its only 6-8 mpg to cover.

 

[thedukeofearl]

Connor would certainly help at the point this season, especially complimenting Jordan, but we could manage without him with Ellingson and Dailey. Brady did well on the floor against the Jewells. Shot 50% from the floor, no turnovers and 3 assists. Looked comfortable and seasoned out there. Not lightning quick but very capable......

Dailey looked very good, only took one shot, a nice looking 2 from the corner, had 3 assists, played good D, and looked at ease while on the floor. What I really like about Dailey is that he doesn't hold on to the ball, passes it immediately usually for an assist. CM held the ball too much, dribbling around the perimeter while the clock wound down.....

We would be alright with both of them playing with and giving Jordan a rest on the bench. Brady could also give us some points. He has a good three and just needs to be momentarily open to nail it, same as he did down the stretch last season.....

Would nice to have the luxury of giving Connor a redshirt, so he could benefit from practice experience this year, but he did look good handling the ball. He also does not hold on the ball long, moves in inside right away, which is how Fran wants this team to operate.....

Also would be nice to have him on the floor this year. The team ran smoothly with him in there.....

Toss a coin

 

[thedukeofearl]

I hope he keeps the redshirt. I really do not see the need to burn it, unless there are injuries. From my own perspective, I would like to see the trio of CM, JW and PM play together for 3 years and not 2.

Yeah, it would be nice to have the three of them playing together for 4 years. Hell of a lot of talent on the floor right there, to compliment the team.....

 

[hawkeyemark]

Yeah, it would be nice to have the three of them playing together for 4 years. Hell of a lot of talent on the floor right there, to compliment the team.....

I feel like you do it could work out either way as to Connor redshirting or not. I very much want Connor to do what will seem best for him and I lean more to the idea that while you won't find a more dedicated two sport athlete his heart leans toward baseball as does any future he has playing professionally. He has to make those decisions for himself and in the meantime both Fran and Coach Heller will feel thrilled to have him at their disposal these next few seasons.