'21-'22: Can Keegan take a leap?

[ObeseMuffins]

Hi Fans,

Let's look forward. How do you see Keegan taking the leap next year?

Seems like teams were daring him to shoot the three in the tourney. A quick reference check and it looks like he only shot 29% from three this year. He's got good form, I fully expect him to be at 40% next year and push for conference honors.

With Wiesy most likely gone, he becomes the focal point of the offense, IMHO.

 

[CleteyColgate]

Hi Fans,

Let's look forward. How do you see Keegan taking the leap next year?

Seems like his teams were daring him to shoot the three in the tourney. A quick reference check and it looks like he only shot 29% from three this year. He's got good form, I fully expect him to be at 40% next year and push for conference honors.

The Twins are gonna git er done

 

[IllQChawk]

My thinking is Iowa fans are going to be surprised by the improvement of Keegan but Kris is going to be a force also. Just because Kris saw little time on the court is kind've like us fans not seeing Oregon play this year and disrespecting their ability to play the game. How did that turn out? Kris is considered the better shooter then Keegan and Keegan was damn good. November can't come soon enough...

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

My thinking is Iowa fans are going to be surprised by the improvement of Keegan but Kris is going to be a force also. Just because Kris saw little time on the court is kind've like us fans not seeing Oregon play this year and disrespecting their ability to play the game. How did that turn out? Kris is considered the better shooter then Keegan and Keegan was damn good. November can't come soon enough...

I think Kris was considered a better slasher and defender, while Keegan was the better shooter. I might be wrong, but I think I remember that’s what Kenyon said.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Some tape of Kris:

 

[tippet1]

They both can shoot the ball really well. Transitioning from prep school/high school and shooting in different arenas almost every game, will have an affect on your shot. I think their shooting percentage will be a lot better next year.

 

[fivecardstud14]

40% is tough to get to but he's got a good looking shot. Just have him watch Christian Wood highlights all summer, I hope that's the type of player Murray becomes.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I watched a few of their prep school games and can say that in my POV both will be great, not good players. We saw what Keegan can do and I think he just scratched the surface given his PT was limited initially and he only got better the more he got. He has a great stroke and I think his 3-point shot will be there, but IMO, Iowa needs to diversify the offense and he has a crazy good dribble drive game that will only get better.

When Nunge went down I hoped Fran would get Kris some PT. Has the same silky smooth athleticism as Keegan and a great looking stroke. I think he could have helped on the boards on both ends and given the team another energy guy who can get put backs, tip in's, blocks, etc.

Without these guys, I would be much more somber about the future of Iowa hoops.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

I got tot watch a ton of video on the Murray boys last summer, both the Academy games, like almost entire games and the video shot in Dad's gym. Love their shots.

Early in the season Keegan was catching and shooting without much thought. His shot had a little more of an arc, in the video on early in the season. As the season progressed I thought Keegan's 3 point shots became more tentative and definitely flatter. Going into the Maryland game, Ke Murray was 8/18, .444.

Then his shot just crashed, 8/29, .275, although 2/10 in the NCAA really killed the average. Guessing some freshmen jitters.

Absolutely think Keegan will take another step forward and average around 15 if Joe W leaves.

 

[T. Kimball]

Will Keegan start? Asking for a friend...

Seriously though, I'll be severely irritated if he doesn't.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Will Keegan start? Asking for a friend...

Seriously though, I'll be severely irritated if he doesn't.

He absolutely needs to start.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

Keegan is special.

 

[BBHawk]

My thinking is Iowa fans are going to be surprised by the improvement of Keegan but Kris is going to be a force also...Kris is considered the better shooter then Keegan and Keegan was damn good. November can't come soon enough...

No.

 

[IllQChawk]

No.

Is that you Keegan?

 

[CleteyColgate]

Keegan is special.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

He is one of the most fluid players Iowa's had in a long time. Little wasted energy. Guy looks like a natural on the court. Really looking forward to the double K show next year.

 

[2432Hawk]

Iowa could have a very unique offense....

The Murray's and Nunge could be our perimeter threats and our guards will be slashing and finishing at the rim as our bigs will pull the paint protection out on the floor.

 

[SSG T]

I think some combination of Keegan, Nunge and PMac will be the leading scorers next year. Not sure which one, but I think they'll be the top 3.

 

[BBHawk]

Is that you Keegan?

No, but even Kenyan has sais that Keegan is the better shooter. He said Kris is more the "intangibles" and rebounding type of player. Iowa needs both.

 

[seer_hawk]

Some tape of Kris:

View embedded media

Kris is a lefty. Maybe he could model Greg Stokes, and have a break out sophomore season!

 

[unoHawkeye]

I think some combination of Keegan, Nunge and PMac will be the leading scorers next year. Not sure which one, but I think they'll be the top 3.

It’s about time for fourth year Fredrick to channel his inner Gatens, start firing away, and averaging about 12 per game. No more Garza, Bohannon, or likely Wieskamp to defer to. He’s got the handles and quickness to get enough separation to get a shot off almost any time he wants

 

[33hawkfan]

This is the most popular Keegan will ever be with this fanbase, it’s all downhill from here.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

Outside of getting a little stronger, KM basically just needs to improve his shot IMO. He's already an excellent defender.

Keegan Murray is already a good player. If he was a consistent shooter, he'd be dynamite.

 

[PHawkKenyon]

Hi Fans,

Let's look forward. How do you see Keegan taking the leap next year?

Seems like teams were daring him to shoot the three in the tourney. A quick reference check and it looks like he only shot 29% from three this year. He's got good form, I fully expect him to be at 40% next year and push for conference honors.

With Wiesy most likely gone, he becomes the focal point of the offense, IMHO.

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[PHawkKenyon]

Hi Fans,

Let's look forward. How do you see Keegan taking the leap next year?

Seems like teams were daring him to shoot the three in the tourney. A quick reference check and it looks like he only shot 29% from three this year. He's got good form, I fully expect him to be at 40% next year and push for conference honors.

With Wiesy most likely gone, he becomes the focal point of the offense, IMHO.

Tanner Carlson (2018 quote) “You know the thing Keegan can really do, he can shoot the ball. And everybody knows that. He’s 6’7 now, with a 6’10 1/2 wingspan. He can really shoot, and everybody knows that. But the thing that people don’t know about Keegan, or at least don’t give him credit for, is he can pull-up too. He’s got a great pull-up game, and if he gets an inch from anybody, he can pull up on top of them because of his length. Right now, he’s got two offers from Division II schools, he’s got a few other D2s that have been reaching out., and he’s heard from some low to mid-major Division I schools as well. I think his potential is up there with anybody that we played against; you just don’t see a 6’7 guard with that length who shoots it like Keegan does and doesn’t have a Division I offer. He’s someone, who I could see the D1s hanging around, or a new one getting on the mix here soon. He’s a phenomenal kid too. He’s one of those kids, when I was talking in the huddle, his two eyes were always locked on. He’s very coachable, and he’s only going to get better. The potential is thorugh the roof.”

 

[PHawkKenyon]

Hi Fans,

Let's look forward. How do you see Keegan taking the leap next year?

Seems like teams were daring him to shoot the three in the tourney. A quick reference check and it looks like he only shot 29% from three this year. He's got good form, I fully expect him to be at 40% next year and push for conference honors.

With Wiesy most likely gone, he becomes the focal point of the offense, IMHO.

Tanner Carlson (2018 quote) “Here’s what I’ll tell ya, Kris is a great shooter, but Kris is more athletic than what anyone gives him credit for. I don’t like to compare them (Kris and identical twin brother Keegan), because it’s so hard, I feel like if they were in the top 100, one would be 50 and the other 51. But Kris is a little bit more athletic and he’s a better scorer around the rim, whereas Keegan’s range; I’ve been coaching AAU for 10 seasons now, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone shoot it as well as Keegan. They’re both phenomenal shooters, but they’re different in a way as well. Kris, I think people sleep on his athleticism a little bit. In July, he had some games where he would attack the rim, and a guy would come over and Kris would just go up and dunk on him. He did show some more athleticism in the summer than I think people saw from him in the past. He’s about 6’6 and has a 6’10 1/2 wing-span too, and I think they’re both still growing, which is crazy. And he was also one of those kids, he’s learning, he’s listening, just an easy kid to root for.”

 

[PHawkKenyon]

Hi Fans,

Let's look forward. How do you see Keegan taking the leap next year?

Seems like teams were daring him to shoot the three in the tourney. A quick reference check and it looks like he only shot 29% from three this year. He's got good form, I fully expect him to be at 40% next year and push for conference honors.

With Wiesy most likely gone, he becomes the focal point of the offense, IMHO.

Kris and Keegan are both a legit 6'9, with 6'11-7'0 wingspan. Can you imagine a line up with Jack, Keegan, Kris and Patrick??? Scary length for the Hawkeyes!!

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

Kris and Keegan are both a legit 6'9, with 6'11-7'0 wingspan. Can you imagine a line up with Jack, Keegan, Kris and Patrick??? Scary length for the Hawkeyes!!

Put in Joe T at the 1, and you’ve got an athletic and long lineup. It would pose a big test for any offensive team.

 

[RocknRollface]

I got tot watch a ton of video on the Murray boys last summer, both the Academy games, like almost entire games and the video shot in Dad's gym. Love their shots.

Early in the season Keegan was catching and shooting without much thought. His shot had a little more of an arc, in the video on early in the season. As the season progressed I thought Keegan's 3 point shots became more tentative and definitely flatter. Going into the Maryland game, Ke Murray was 8/18, .444.

Then his shot just crashed, 8/29, .275, although 2/10 in the NCAA really killed the average. Guessing some freshmen jitters.

Absolutely think Keegan will take another step forward and average around 15 if Joe W leaves.

Thats true. I had forgotten how eager he was to shoot to start the year and was hitting well.

I think playing with an offensive player as potent as Garza will make allot of younger guys hesitant to shoot because it's just safer to let him shoot.

 

[Suterman]

I think some combination of Keegan, Nunge and PMac will be the leading scorers next year. Not sure which one, but I think they'll be the top 3.

I think CJ Fredrick will be our top scorer, or for sure in the top 3.

 

[NevadaHawk]

He is one of the most fluid players Iowa's had in a long time. Little wasted energy. Guy looks like a natural on the court. Really looking forward to the double K show next year.

Agreed. Both have that Denzel Washington demeanor to them. I think the only thing that will keep Keegan, (and possibly Kris), from being great is if Fran gives too many minutes to someone else.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

If Keegan just gets a little stronger and continues to work on his shot, he was already pretty damn good. He was our best defender as a true freshman. It is the other freshman who we need to hope can take significant steps forward. I am still very optimistic about our young perimeter players. Jury is still out on the Big O.

 

[IllQChawk]

I think CJ Fredrick will be our top scorer, or for sure in the top 3.

I love how C.J. plays and he's a real good shooter and defensive player, but until I see him play an entire year healthy, he probably won't be Iowa's leading scorer. He will be a sophomore/junior or whatever they label him next year and because of that he will be looked on as a veteran and will be counted on to provide scoring. It would be a revelations for Iowa if he could stay healthy all year!

 

[skydog0784]

I'm excited about both Murray's - especially with Keegan and through 80% of the season.

That being said, I'm now more excited about what Patrick brings the table seeing him the last 20% of the season. That kid is going to be really good!

 

[HawkLogic]

I watched a few of their prep school games and can say that in my POV both will be great, not good players. We saw what Keegan can do and I think he just scratched the surface given his PT was limited initially and he only got better the more he got. He has a great stroke and I think his 3-point shot will be there, but IMO, Iowa needs to diversify the offense and he has a crazy good dribble drive game that will only get better.

When Nunge went down I hoped Fran would get Kris some PT. Has the same silky smooth athleticism as Keegan and a great looking stroke. I think he could have helped on the boards on both ends and given the team another energy guy who can get put backs, tip in's, blocks, etc.

Without these guys, I would be much more somber about the future of Iowa hoops.

Agreed....on a defensively challenged team, Fran found no minutes for Kris. Kris and Keegan have the best combination of length, quickness hops on the team. Opportunity lost, but there will be lots of minutes for Kris next year..

I think Oregon showed if you have 5 guys around 35% from 3pt line that can also dribble drive and defense, you have a real TEAM. Keegan and Kris were ste recruiting steals---credit Fran for seeing that. Not so much credit playing injured guys and not finding time to develop a bench.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

Thats true. I had forgotten how eager he was to shoot to start the year and was hitting well.

I think playing with an offensive player as potent as Garza will make allot of younger guys hesitant to shoot because it's just safer to let him shoot.

Very good point. I'm guessing that every player other than Jordan and Joe W first thought when getting the ball was "where's Luka".

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Not sure how so many posters are so sure about Kris. I have really high hopes based on Keegan's play, but it isn't based on seeing him on the court. When Jack and CJ were both out, and even Weesy for a game, I sure didn't see Fran turn to Kris. I also have high hopes for the other freshman, including Patrick.