Assists, turnovers and Connor

[Ihawkhoops]

I value what Connor does and recognize that a lot of his contributions won't show up in a stat sheet. With that being said, I also believe Connor being no offensive threat creates problems for other players by allowing his defender to sag way off and help. Connor doesn't need to be a primary scoring option, but should be able to keep his defender honest.

The way teams are blanketing Garza would make it hard for John Stockton to get him the ball. If there isn't a clear lane for a post feed let Garza re-post and move the ball. A lot of the turnovers have come from Iowa guards staring Garza down early in the shot clock and forcing a nearly impossible pass into traffic. Garza getting that much attention should leave somebody open if the ball gets reversed.

 

[jonesy5960]

Iowa ranks 3rd nationally averaging 21.5 assists a game and 2nd nationally in assist/turnover ratio at 2.09. Against Rutgers, Iowa had 13 assists and 15 turnovers - very uncharacteristic and it was the direct result of Connor's absence. Connor knows our offense like the back of his hand, knows player positioning and spacing - he leads B1G in assist/turnover ratio and ranks 8th nationally. Connor is the cog that makes Iowa's offense flow and yesterday is proof positive of that - more turnovers, less assists and less points without Connor.

MSU had 14 turnovers against Rutgers in just the first half tonight, a direct result of Connor's absence.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

Can we somehow combine CMac, JBo, & JT? each does something great but are below average in the other areas....

Kind of like a Fran-kenstein...

 

[Hawk94Mn]

On a team where the other four positions are all viable scoring threats, a guy who can protect and pass the ball is pretty valuable...

some would say the most valuable. I think he’s more important with the sets he can create late in the shot clock. He does a lot of subtly great things that don’t get noticed

 

[DodgerHawki]

MSU had 14 turnovers against Rutgers in just the first half tonight, a direct result of Connor's absence.

Well played sir, well played.

 

[DodgerHawki]

I value what Connor does and recognize that a lot of his contributions won't show up in a stat sheet. With that being said, I also believe Connor being no offensive threat creates problems for other players by allowing his defender to sag way off and help. Connor doesn't need to be a primary scoring option, but should be able to keep his defender honest.

The way teams are blanketing Garza would make it hard for John Stockton to get him the ball. If there isn't a clear lane for a post feed let Garza re-post and move the ball. A lot of the turnovers have come from Iowa guards staring Garza down early in the shot clock and forcing a nearly impossible pass into traffic. Garza getting that much attention should leave somebody open if the ball gets reversed.

You are stating the obvious, but like with many things in our current environment people get entrenched in an opinion and will not be swayed one way or the other once their mind is made up. Some believe that the player in question (Connor) is the most valuable Iowa player on the floor, no matter what the stats say. Others go to the other extreme and believe he doesn't deserve to be playing at all.

Fran has way more viable options this year than he did last year, when he could really only go 7-8 deep. It's also true that last year Connor became much more of a viable 3-point option, he hit 34% and made 33 of them, a bit over 1 a game. Teams couldn't just ignore him. This year he has made 20% (4-20) and is on pace to make just 9 or 10 the entire year. I'm perfectly fine with Murray coming off the bench the entire year. It's Fran's job to manage minutes and give his team the best chance to win.

 

[KcTo]

Iowa ranks 3rd nationally averaging 21.5 assists a game and 2nd nationally in assist/turnover ratio at 2.09. Against Rutgers, Iowa had 13 assists and 15 turnovers - very uncharacteristic and it was the direct result of Connor's absence. Connor knows our offense like the back of his hand, knows player positioning and spacing - he leads B1G in assist/turnover ratio and ranks 8th nationally. Connor is the cog that makes Iowa's offense flow and yesterday is proof positive of that - more turnovers, less assists and less points without Connor.

MSU had 14 turnovers against Rutgers in just the first half tonight, a direct result of Connor's absence.

great point, its important to use context with statistic, like youve done.

2nd point. It makes Ulis performance of 4 assists with zero TO, even more impressive vs TO creating Rutgers...

 

[unIowa]

All true.

The difference probably wouldn't be as noticable over a longer period of time as the team would adjust to it. And they did the over the course of the game yesterday.

Also, Rutgers D was exceptionally active. My girlfriend walked in mid-game immediately commented, "Damn, Rutgers is all over them." And she doesn't know basketball that well.

Furthermore, the whole team is in the habit of jamming it into Gaza. Which is great, but they have tried doing the same thing with Nunge, and it isn't available as often.

And lately Jbo has been forcing some passes. Not sure what's up with that, as it hasn't really been characteristic of his career, but it needs to stop.

All that said, hope Connor is back Thursday

Guards not named CJ need to start back cutting when opposing teams play D on us like Rutgers was.

 

[littlez]

Agree w/that Uniowa. Anyone ever watch Sturtz from Drake? Guy has the highest basketball IQ I've seen in years.

 

[perryhawk]

Jbo had two games where he made stupid passes...Gonzaga in which he had jalen Suggs 6'4 an NBA talent gaurding him and Rutgers with pretty good guard defenders in Geno Baker at 6'4 and Young, uber quick. JBo has the ball in his hands bringing the ball up the court most of the time and is usually matched up with the opponents PG or pretty quick 2G. When Connor is playing PF, Connor is guarded by the opponents Power Forward or weakest perimeter defender.

Season averages are 4.1 assists/1 TO for Connor. JBo at 4.4 assists and 1.6 TO. It is not like JBo is a problem. Connor is good passer, but he has the worst eFG% on team and he is the guy opponents leave unguarded so they can double on Garza. I am okay with Connor playing 15-20 min per game. I just don't see how Connor is constantly lauded for his passing vs JBo for a rather small difference in T.O. level while being guarded by lessor athletes and not being able to make teams pay for leaving him wide open,

JBo looks like he is competing harder on defense and hopefully his 3pt shooting is coming around. If he had twisted his ankle vs Rutgers, Iowa loses. Connor plays 3min and the two Freshman Keegan and Ulis more than made up for his absence.

Not sure that I agree with the entire premise....but that is a very well thought and reasoned position supported by facts/current stats. Well done!

 

[HawkRugged17]

7 assists for Connor so far vs Maryland. Still 14 minutes to go.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[perryhawk]

Wow..... those are great numbers!

 

[jonesy5960]

Conner had a great game tonight.