Can Connor Learn To Shoot This Off Season?

[IowasLaw]

I'm sure every Hawk fan has wondered it, but what's the deal with Connor's shot? The guy grew up in the gym as the son of a high profile coach. He was blessed with loads of athleticism, as a 6'6 guard with two athletic parents. He was born with so much talent he got scholarship offers to play two different D1 sports. He was so well thought of in high school that he committed to Iowa as a sophomore way back in 2014 and was rated a top 150 recruit.

Given all that foundation + 4 years of D-1 college basketball practice and thousands of hours in the gym, Connor shot just 27% from 3 (worse than the average Iowa high school player), 58% from the free throw line (worse than the average Iowa junior high player), and 32% from the field.

Clearly there's a glitch in his shooting motion. Why not fix it in the off season? The Hawks have a number of extremely experienced, high paid coaches on staff. That staff isn't spending their time recruiting (as evidenced by giving away a scholarship to Austin Ash rather than going out and recruiting D1 players), so why can't the staff spend 2 hours a day every day this off season working on fixing his shot? If anyone with Connor's athleticism simply focuses on shooting mechanics, they are bound to improve from the above shooting percentages. Is there any excuse for someone of Conner's background to be such a poor shooter going into his 5th year in college?

 

[AMAYS]

Clearly there's a glitch in his shooting motion. Why not fix it in the off season? . . . If anyone with Connor's athleticism simply focuses on shooting mechanics, they are bound to improve from the above shooting percentages. Is there any excuse for someone of Conner's background to be such a poor shooter going into his 5th year in college?

There is way more wrong than just a glitch with Connor's shooting motion. Starting with the stance, there is not much right with Connor's shooting fundamentals. While Connor's shooting shortcomings are astonishing given his family background, I am skeptical that he can make meaningful improvement at this stage in his career. This is especially true because I do not think that Connor lacks a work ethic. His combined basketball, baseball and academic success is truly extraordinary. Some kids, even basketball players, are never going to be a good shooters. Tyler Cook and Connor are two (very different) examples.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

At this point, not likely.

 

[Slim45]

If he can get back to his %’s from 2 years ago that would be a success. Injuries probably didn’t help this yr either

 

[ajdl]

He's been with the head coach his entire life. If he hasn't learned by now, it probably ain't happening.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

I'd like to see how he handles a clipboard. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

[goodbyebobby]

He needs to get some tips from Chris Mullin about shooting, not drinking.

 

[Buffalo43]

Stop shooting from the side

Square up with both shoulders facing the basket

 

[AMAYS]

If he can get back to his %’s from 2 years ago that would be a success. Injuries probably didn’t help this yr either

In conference play in 2019, Connor was 16.7% from 3; 35.9% from 2, and 64.1% from the line. That’s pretty poor. His numbers were better when you include the non-con games, but I’ll go with the conference season as the better indication.

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

Can @IowasLaw eat a huge can of shut the hell up?

 

[perryhawk]

He could improve...the question is if he will. I think that playing two sports makes it difficult to have the time to really work at the level you need to to progress in either sport at that level....that's just my guess.

 

[mstp1992]

If he just gets his FT % back to what should be his baseline (~75%) then he can be effective in certain situations.

 

[blhawk]

He's already worked on his shot a ton, at nearly 23 years old I'd say what you see is what you get. Baffling a coaches kid could have that form

 

[badben44]

Coached him and against him when he was in JR High and he was a pretty good shooter from 3. Has always confused me to see him struggle.

 

[mstp1992]

Coached him and against him when he was in JR High and he was a pretty good shooter from 3. Has always confused me to see him struggle.

I’m thinking it’s as much mental as it is physical. His FT % was most baffling.

Or, he was playing hurt for longer than I thought and his shot was impacted to a significant degree. Last year he was 34% from 3-point, and 78% from the line. This year 28% and 57%, respectively.,

 

[Herkey Ohio]

I’m thinking it’s as much mental as it is physical. His FT % was most baffling.

Or, he was playing hurt for longer than I thought and his shot was impacted to a significant degree. Last year he was 34% from 3-point, and 78% from the line. This year 28% and 57%, respectively.,

If you watch how he lined up he was using all arms - If his hips are fixed I think you will see a huge improvement. ​

​

Image trying to shoot a 3 point shot only with your arms. ​

 

[Buffalo43]

He needs to get some tips from Chris Mullin about shooting, not drinking.

Why? Chris was a pretty decent drinker😂

 

[retrodent]

Stop shooting from the side

Square up with both shoulders facing the basket

he jumps sideways and lowers his chances with little arc to his shot. Good feeder to Luka,but he should go do baseball now

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

Almost everything that could be wrong with the mechanics of a shot is wrong with Connor's shot. He's a 5th year senior in college. Without the need to feed just one guy how can he get serious minutes without really being able to score? Next season's team is going to need more offense than just great passing from every starter.

 

[Hawks2405]

 

[Dargo]

If you watch how he lined up he was using all arms - If his hips are fixed I think you will see a huge improvement. ​

​

Image trying to shoot a 3 point shot only with your arms. ​

LOL seriously? That's the excuse now? Good Lord, nothing about his shot looks even remotely good, and if his hips were that messed up he shouldn't have been playing at all, if they were affecting his shot that much, then how was he even able to run?

 

[Raptorpeeps]

“Can Connor Learn To Shoot This Off Season?”

Yes. Converting sick-post-feed energy into all-three-levels scoring energy won’t be an issue.

I expect him to average about 15-18 pts/game this coming season.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

“Can Connor Learn To Shoot This Off Season?”

Yes. Converting sick-post-feed energy into all-three-levels scoring energy won’t be an issue.

I expect him to average about 15-18 pts/game this coming season.

My sarcasm meter is down, I assume you are joking on that last sentence, right?

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

There is way more wrong than just a glitch with Connor's shooting motion. Starting with the stance, there is not much right with Connor's shooting fundamentals. While Connor's shooting shortcomings are astonishing given his family background, I am skeptical that he can make meaningful improvement at this stage in his career. This is especially true because I do not think that Connor lacks a work ethic. His combined basketball, baseball and academic success is truly extraordinary. Some kids, even basketball players, are never going to be a good shooters. Tyler Cook and Connor are two (very different) examples.

I was trying to think of other languages that word it differently, but I'm pretty sure 'No' is just about a universally understood word...........

 

[IaHawk44]

We saw an improvement in Connor's 3 point shooting this year. Albeit a slight improvement, Connor started putting up 3's when wide open this year as compared to the previous season. I think we'll see a marked improvement this coming season. Connor knew Iowa had multiple 3 point shooters last year so his role was to set up Luka, JB, JW and CJ - his role will change next year.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

I guess I never realized how bad his shooting was across the board until reading this thread - I have always liked his toughness, but if all he brings to the table is a great assist ability....really have to question either his minutes and/or our lack of guard talent on our roster. Since I like what little I have seen from Tony P, Ahron U, and Joe T, I will go with the former.

 

[icwesthawk]

Tough to get shots up with crutches

 

[Ngnosis hwk scence]

Here is the DEAL and open letter to all.

Can you hit a baseball? Can you hit for power? Can you field the baseball and can you throw the baseball on the mark?

Baseball is a wonderful game, back in the day.... our national pastime.

You are a ballplayer.

Your eye-to-hand coordination is off the chart, reflected in your passing ability, assists to turnover ratios, and your hands on the court.

It works better on the diamond.... we all as BB fans welcome you back, yet.. as a leader and as the 9th or 10th player off the bench.

Spend the summer working your game on Duane Banks's field.

GO HAWKS!!!!

 

[Ngnosis hwk scence]

Along with all that.... OK to not get paid to play. You can still be a winner at coaching or some 7 figure sales job.

 

[Ronman]

Ran across this:

Led West HS as team captain to a 23-3 season and a Class 4A Basketball state title as a senior… led team in scoring (19.6 ppg) and rebounds (4.8 rpg), while also averaging 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game his senior campaign… shot the basketball at a 52 percent clip from the field and 84 percent from the foul line as a senior and averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds leading his team to a Class 4A Basketball runner-up finish as a junior.
For those who watched him in HS, these points surely weren't all scored as layups, we're they?

 

[icwesthawk]

He's had trouble making layups too

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Don't need to watch much more than the first few minutes. What stands out is that in these highlights, for the most part, he is catching and shooting in rhythm. His shot looks more fluid--granted, it's a highlight video, but he looks like a confident shooter.

 

[1inamillion]

Stop shooting from the side

Square up with both shoulders facing the basket

Really stupid looking shot.

 

[ThisHawks4u]

F*ck...he’s back...

 

[SeattleHawki]

He just needs more practice. Hopefully the coach will bump up his minutes this year to give him a chance to work out the kinks.

You know what they say... practice makes perfect.

 

[Ronman]

The hatred for this young man, who by all accounts is a very good student and a decent human being, just astounds me. Surely you can find something or someone else to express your distain.

 

[icwesthawk]

Man, those West High Uni's are the best.

 

[HerkysDad]

With Bohannon coming back this fall, a bigger question is: Can Bohannon learn to play DEFENSE?

 

[SDHawkDoc]

With Bohannon coming back this fall, a bigger question is: Can Bohannon learn to play DEFENSE?

The answer to this question is also NO

 

[NevadaHawk]

I'd like to see how he handles a clipboard. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Agreed. Conner needs to come off the bench this season and not be a starter. Let the younger talent step up and show what they can do.