tweeterhawk
Well-Known Member
First, congratulations to Connor McCaffery on being recognized by national media as one of the top high school players in the country, especially as a freshman. Basketball is in his genes and he obviously is the kind of gym rat you want on your team. Assuming he continues to be such a devoted student of the game, that he continues to develop and that his career is not slowed or (heaven forbid) derailed by injury, two way, way-too-early questions:
1) Will Connor McCaffery play basketball for his father?
2) If the answer is yes, will it be at Iowa?
I don't automatically think the answer to No. 1 is "yes."
As talented as he is, he may want to play for a program that annually contends for a national title (eg: Duke, North Carolina, Connecticut, Forida, Louisville.) Don't assume Fran would not green-light such a decision. In an article three months ago, Pat Harty reported the following:
Would Fran feel the same about Connor contending for a national championship?
Connor also loves baseball, where, according to Harty, he excels as a hitter and a left-handed pitcher. “Right now, it’s whatever I’m in season with I usually focus on a little bit more,†Connor told Harty. “But once baseball season starts, I’ll like that more, too.â€
As far as the second question, as long as Fran keeps winning and doesn't punch Gene Steratore he's probably good as gold to stay in Iowa City. But if Iowa keeps winning and as Connor nears college eligibility, will other more attractive programs come calling? If they do, will Fran listen?
By all accounts, Fran, Marge and the kids are happy in Iowa City. With their other children nearing high school age, it will be harder to voluntarily make a move. They appeared to have been overwhelmed with the community support and love they received this spring after word of Patrick's cancer became public.
Will that help ensure that Connor is a (basketball) Hawkeye?
1) Will Connor McCaffery play basketball for his father?
2) If the answer is yes, will it be at Iowa?
I don't automatically think the answer to No. 1 is "yes."
As talented as he is, he may want to play for a program that annually contends for a national title (eg: Duke, North Carolina, Connecticut, Forida, Louisville.) Don't assume Fran would not green-light such a decision. In an article three months ago, Pat Harty reported the following:
Fran McCaffery also likes that Connor plays for one of the most successful programs in the state and for a coach who demands a lot from his players. West has won four state titles under Bergman, including the last two in a row. The Trojans had won 60 games in a row before losing at Dubuque Senior in January.
“It’s a different level of competition and he chose to go to a place that has a level of expectation of being a legitimate contender for the state championship,†Fran McCaffery said.
“It’s a different level of competition and he chose to go to a place that has a level of expectation of being a legitimate contender for the state championship,†Fran McCaffery said.
Would Fran feel the same about Connor contending for a national championship?
Connor also loves baseball, where, according to Harty, he excels as a hitter and a left-handed pitcher. “Right now, it’s whatever I’m in season with I usually focus on a little bit more,†Connor told Harty. “But once baseball season starts, I’ll like that more, too.â€
As far as the second question, as long as Fran keeps winning and doesn't punch Gene Steratore he's probably good as gold to stay in Iowa City. But if Iowa keeps winning and as Connor nears college eligibility, will other more attractive programs come calling? If they do, will Fran listen?
By all accounts, Fran, Marge and the kids are happy in Iowa City. With their other children nearing high school age, it will be harder to voluntarily make a move. They appeared to have been overwhelmed with the community support and love they received this spring after word of Patrick's cancer became public.
Will that help ensure that Connor is a (basketball) Hawkeye?
