Can Connor Learn To Shoot This Off Season?

[DodgerHawki]

I really don't care if he improves his shooting. He doesn't shoot enough for it to matter if he hits 33% or 50%. He's not going to be on the court for scoring. As long as he does the things he does well when he's on the court, and provide leadership and toughness in his 15-17 mpg.

It matters if teams can just not guard him at all, which is what Brad Underwood did early in the season and others did too. To Connor's credit, he did make 16-26 3's over a 8-game stretch in Big 10 play. Outside of those 8 games, he made 6 of 49 3-pointers, a robust 12%.

Over his now 5-year career, he's a 31% 3-point shooter. He is what he is. He's fine as a role player. Will always have the 3-point play against Purdue late in the Big 10 tourney title game as a highlight. Great play at a great time. Hopefully he can be healthy, and make just enough 3's that teams have to guard him.

 

[Bro D]

It matters if teams can just not guard him at all, which is what Brad Underwood did early in the season and others did too. To Connor's credit, he did make 16-26 3's over a 8-game stretch in Big 10 play. Outside of those 8 games, he made 6 of 49 3-pointers, a robust 12%.

Over his now 5-year career, he's a 31% 3-point shooter. He is what he is. He's fine as a role player. Will always have the 3-point play against Purdue late in the Big 10 tourney title game as a highlight. Great play at a great time. Hopefully he can be healthy, and make just enough 3's that teams have to guard him.

I remember that Illinois game too.. Connor held his own on defense for the most part but it caused us to collapse big time, which gave them WIDE open threes.

Leadership, floor general.. come on. He can do all that as a coach and not take minutes away from players better than him. But I guess this year, since our depth could be an issue, that we will probably need him to make a contribution. I'm not expecting much but we need him to step up

And the answer is 3. He has 3 points in 5 tournament games (62 minutes).. including 0 points in his last four tournament games.

 

[hexumhawk]

What if during the previous seasons he has dealt with both, injuries and spending his time outside of basketball working on baseball skills? What if he lifted weights and worked on his body with a focus on baseball and not basketball? And finally, what if this is the first off season where he hasn't had baseball practice NOR has he dealt with injuries, therefore allowing him to consistently be in the gym and working on his shot?

Could it be that we are not talking about "new tricks" and more about the recovery of or the refinement of skills through repetition?

This is similar to the people that thought we would see a new and improved Petras this year. They are what they are- we have seen each for 3+ years. Very doubtful you see any significant changes.

 

[hexumhawk]

It matters if teams can just not guard him at all, which is what Brad Underwood did early in the season and others did too. To Connor's credit, he did make 16-26 3's over a 8-game stretch in Big 10 play. Outside of those 8 games, he made 6 of 49 3-pointers, a robust 12%.

Over his now 5-year career, he's a 31% 3-point shooter. He is what he is. He's fine as a role player. Will always have the 3-point play against Purdue late in the Big 10 tourney title game as a highlight. Great play at a great time. Hopefully he can be healthy, and make just enough 3's that teams have to guard him.

This

You cant have a guard in todays CBB that you can sag off and sit inside of the 3 point line because they are not a threat to shoot. It messes up spacing for the entire offense. We had the same problem with Gesell.

 

[perryhawk]

This is similar to the people that thought we would see a new and improved Petras this year. They are what they are- we have seen each for 3+ years. Very doubtful you see any significant changes.

Was Petras playing a different sport in the off season? Was he working on his body for a sport different than football? I don't see any realistic correlation between the two.

 

[hexumhawk]

Was Petras playing a different sport in the off season? Was he working on his body for a sport different than football? I don't see any realistic correlation between the two.

The correlation is you are hoping for different results after seeing them in action for years. Again, shooting is about touch and he doesn't have it and isn't really something you can just get in an offseason with a different workout routine.

 

[F5n5]

the lunatics are starting their migration

 

[perryhawk]

The correlation is you are hoping for different results after seeing them in action for years. Again, shooting is about touch and he doesn't have it and isn't really something you can just get in an offseason with a different workout routine.

I don't claim expertise....I do believe that "touch" is generally an element of a good shot. That said, mechanics of a shot, repetition developing muscle memory, confidence developed through successful repetition of the shot mechanics, shot selection, and more go into being a good shooter in my limited knowledge on this topic.

All those elements and more make a difference in a players shot percentage. I can't claim that Connor will shoot some really high percentage from 3 this year (or show a lot of improvement) but I am pretty sure we will see some level of improvement in his 3 point shooting %...

As to that correlation.....it doesn't match because their situations are completely different. It appears to me to only be a surface level, gut reaction, correlation because of both having struggles. Critical thinking is important.

 

[hooper56]

It is probably worth noting that quite a number of Connor's 3 point attempts were end of shot clock/desperation type shots. He shot respectably well when he shot in rhythm within the flex offense.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

You can't win playing 4 on 5 while on offense. Especially if they can back off Connor by 10 feet and clog the middle. That is why he must shoot at least 33% from three.

I agree, said the same last two seasons.

But, last season he shot the 3 ball better and he'll draw closer defense this year unless he regresses. But right now he's able to do what he needs to do to make it harder to double off him, and that's what really matters.

The regression scenario isn't out of the question, it simply has not yet and may not ever surface again.