I kinda like Franks nickname for CM
he certainly plays the part on the court
he certainly plays the part on the court
Connor “the General” McCaffery
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It wasn't too long ago that Iowa did lack toughness. I think Luka, CJ, Conner, and Joe T are as tough as they come. It's good to see.
He seems to be playing a little bit looser this year, more confident. I've noticed better passing also with a few real impressive assists in there. No doubt the cast around him has allowed him to be less mechanical. If he starts draining more 3s the Hawks will be even harder to defend. I like his toughness also, gives the team even more of an edge.
I would love to play with him. I do know that. His role on this team is not glorified but every great team has guys like CMac. A selfless bulldog who helps set the tone with his intensity and unheralded basketball plays that amount up to a lot of winning in a career.
3 seasons ago when Fran and his program won 14 games, I used to complain about the lack of toughness and fight in these guys. With the evolvement of Luka and an essential team guy like Connor, the softness and weak mental fortitude has disappeared. They may not push people around on defense or on the glass like a Michigan St., but they now play confident, hungry and tough in their own right. Conor has had a ton to do with this.
We will miss him tremendously when his eligibility is up, but hopefully, his approach to the game will rub off on the young guys and make a lasting impression on the future of Iowa Basketball. Same with Luka and his approach about work ethic and development of a competitive edge.
3 seasons ago when Fran and his program won 14 games, I used to complain about the lack of toughness and fight in these guys. With the evolvement of Luka and an essential team guy like Connor, the softness and weak mental fortitude has disappeared. They may not push people around on defense or on the glass like a Michigan St., but they now play confident, hungry and tough in their own right. Conor has had a ton to do with this.
We will miss him tremendously when his eligibility is up, but hopefully, his approach to the game will rub off on the young guys and make a lasting impression on the future of Iowa Basketball. Same with Luka and his approach about work ethic and development of a competitive edge.
He led the nation in assist-turnover ratio last year, 4.0-0.9 per game. He’s actually improved that this year, 4.3-0.7. Besides his passing ability, it’s his toughness especially on the defensive end of the court that stands out.
An absolutely amazing "feed" man. Certainly not flashy, but puts it exactly where it needs to be time and time again. Obviously it helps to have guys who can keep their hands on it, but he has created a ton of points over his career that others couldn't have.
There was a while where McCabe was our only tough guy that wouldn't back down when challenged. And that is why we struggled in a full Big Ten season because too many schools would challenge us physically and our guys would shirk away from the challenge. I honestly think that is part of Joe W's biggest problem is that he doesn't step up to challenges from opponents. As others have said, he's a good Robin, but not a Batman.
I think we have a few players on the team now that won't back down to an opponent and that has helped the past few seasons. That and Luka playing the game like the alpha that he is in college.
I think we have a few players on the team now that won't back down to an opponent and that has helped the past few seasons. That and Luka playing the game like the alpha that he is in college.
I see this in Joe Touissant, the way plays, he attacks on offense and defense. Also seeing it in Keegan Murray. Keegan could be an alpha dog in future years but the swiss army knife basketball player is there right now. He is hustling, rebounding, getting tip in rebounds on the Offensive glass and not backing down despite being a first year player at this level.
He’s not CMac per say in his game, but I love the toughness and aggressiveness he has shown 6 games into his college career.
It certainly doesn't hurt his Asst/TO ratio when so many of his assists are going to a guy that is shooting at a 69% clip.
Cmac has always been a top notch passer, especially feeding the post. Led the nation last year at 4 1/2 to 1 assist to TO which is an incredible stat. Having a finisher in the post like Luka certainly aids those numbers.....
Still have to get the pass there. Many aren’t easy passes. Takes good teamwork and knowing what Garza is going to do.
I don't feel like the Woodbury Gessel Clemons group lacked toughness they just weren't good enough offensively and the best offensive player was on the softer side.
It was the group in-between them and Connor/Luka that were soft.
remember when Hawk fans questioned Connor being on scholarship?
nny abili
I am hoping that he goes on to the staff. His mind is so quick and his grasp of the game so keen that I think he'd be an excellent coach.
No matter what he's called (The General, The Cashier) he's still good at distributing the ball. As of yesterday, Connor is #7 in Ast/Turnover ratio. JBo is #16. 😃
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So glad you posted this. People who keep criticizing these kids are such idiots. They bash the guy who is our all time leader in 3 point shooting, will be number on assist leader, one of the best in assist to turnover ratio guys, they attack Conner who is the most sure-handed ball handler on the team, a coach who’s built one of the best programs in the nation without cheating or scandals, they bad-mouth Patrick only because he’s the coach’s son... I’m new to these boards and used to think highly of Iowa’s fans based on attending Bowl games and regional ncaa basketball matches for decades, but I’m deeply disappointed in the intelligence of a lot of the folks on this board. Especially those who constantly post about who should play and who shouldn’t, or make stupid comments about defensive schemes in ways that shows they don’t understand basketball.
This thread is a breath of fresh air. I wish I could give you 10 likes!
That guy is now under 50% in B1G play but I agree with what you're saying. His number of assists per game is good, not great especially considering who's catching the ball inside. I don't understand why it's considered heresy by some to question whether a player's minutes are commensurate with what they contribute relative to others. As far as I'm concerned, outside of Garza and JW, nobody's minutes s/b off limits for discussion. It's not bashing. It's a message board for people to express opinions. if you don't like it then you should find something else to do.
You could have responded to me directly, my friend.
Nobody said the discussion of these kids’ playing times should be off-limit, but the authority with which so many people comment on them as if they have exposure to these un-tested players beyond the few minutes they have watched them play on TV is sad. The fact that they think they know more about these kids than the coaches who spend the whole year teaching them, watching them in practices, in games, and during film reviews and discussions is hilarious. This has become a bandwagon too many people are jumping on, often making unintelligent, unsubstantiated comments! I don’t know if other teams’ boards are like this, but I’m baffled as to how many people post on this topic - this team took four years to build, the coaches are not going to bench experienced players who have gotten us here and start players they don’t believe are ready. If anything, Fran has shown that he rewards hard work by starting Keegan over some of the more senior people. Anyway, Go Hawks. I’ll be in Hawkeye Heaven if we beat Wisconsin on Thursday.
Just for fun, please read the OP’s message on the thread JBO against Sparty. This is the kind of stupid, waste-of-time, babbling I’m talking about.
Just for fun, please read the OP’s message on the thread JBO against Sparty. This is the kind of stupid, waste-of-time, babbling I’m talking about.
Yeah. Spending a bunch of time to question the value of a player's assists in a game the Hawks won by 30 on the road tells me has a serious bug up his behind about said player. Was he also one of the people bitching incessantly about JBO after the OSU game after JBO led the team in scoring AND assists? Now THAT was pretty pathetic.
Just for fun, please read the OP’s message on the thread JBO against Sparty. This is the kind of stupid, waste-of-time, babbling I’m talking about.
I've also had to question the intelligence of some folks that have continuously bashed Nunge when all the kid does is lead the team in rebounds per 40 by a wide margin. The team is almost always better when he's out there and yet you see the same crap about him even after a stellar performance. It's mind boggling sometimes.
I've always been strong supporter of nunge. I think you are going on some earlier posts. Most feel nunge has been doing great, if they don't they must be partially blind
Nope. This little nugget was from last week after another great game from Nunge. Larry Mullen and Rocky Mountain Hawk just to name a few in this thread.
Nice game Nunge
With all the negativity tonight we should recognize the job Jack did. Another good game, better stats then MSU, but this was more offensive then the huge defensive his effort he gave against Sparty. Still a very valuable piece who is showing he can be a big part of next year.
iowa.forums.rivals.com
I totally agree. That poor kid has been through so much and plays his heart out and some of these guys, drinking beer on their couches, criticize him incessantly.
Btw, the answer to your question on the other thread regarding the OP is, Full of ....
🤨
I realize that the world must look quite different from the high horse you're on..... but it can't look that different, can it?
This is actually an interesting question. I would say that it's not the case as they've yet to win anything during Fran's tenure and have yet to achieve anything resembling sustained success in their own conference. If you were however talking about where Iowa stands this year and this year only then this statement would hold water as a team that's capable of going deep in the tournament. IMO this is a top 10 team and probably a top 25 program. Is top 25 considered a top program?
Yes, two weeks ago....One or two good games (wins) and he's a fine player now....
Uses ‘basketball matches’ calls others idiots. Interesting approach to building credibility.
Sor
You write the masterpiece below and pick on one of my words: matchups somehow autocorrected to matches ?
“Chattanooga did all the could you screw me, 2 points in the last 3:31. Gave up an offensive rebound on an intentional free throw miss after fouling late and dodged a missed 3 pointer at the buzzer. Barely covered the 1.5. Hit the 3 teamer.” 🙄
And I don’t call everyone idiot... just those who want to bench the 3rd all time 3 point shooter in the league to start freshmen they’ve only watched for a couple of minutes in games we are usually ahead.
High horse? The program is one of the best in the country this season, isn’t it? And I usually read your posts, you’re mostly pretty reasonable. Where is this BS comment coming from?
No. There’s a big difference between having one of the best teams in the country in any given year and having one of the best programs in the country.
A coach who has never won a conference title or a conference tourney title or even been to a sweet sixteen or been higher than a 7 seed ... has not “built one of the best programs in the country.”
It was a silly statement.
“based on attending Bowl games and regional ncaa basketball matches for decades,”
so it should be ‘regional basketball matchups’
Thank you for the clarification. Most would use ‘games’
He's a good bench player for a top 40 team. Him making some 3's doesn't change that he's our worst defender, shooter, and rebounder. He wouldn't get any minutes on any of the top teams in the conference.
OT: I really like your avatar nu2u, I’m a big Tommy Bolin fan.
In fact, I had that same image as a background on an old desktop computer I had for awhile.
