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Connor appreciation ...

The Deplorable Sleeping Dog

The Deplorable Sleeping Dog

HB Heisman
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May 9, 2018
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Since being moved around with the new smaller lineup CMac is playing really well. Shooting better, getting more free throws and making 90%. Getting the ball in good scoring position and not turning it over. Seven rebounds tonight, and averaging 5.5 since the line up change.

More importantly, playing fairly decent defense on bigger players.

The kid is a good ball player making major contributions to what appears to be a good team.
 
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i wish a couple guys I watched the game with tonight would read this. But then they also don't think much of Fran either and look for ANYTHING to critique. Hard to find much to complain about Connor's play not only tonight but all season but boy they sure do. Stats don't lie and nearly every game he's put solid numbers. He rebounds, moves the ball, makes his FTs, plays defense, doesn't turn the ball over.
 
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It’s nice to have a few players that aren’t focused on scoring. He, toussant and Evelyn seem to want to contribute any way they can.
 
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Nunge being out for the year has really been for the best. Nothing against the kid but he just not a fit for B10 basketball.
 
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hawkeyeinmo said:
i wish a couple guys I watched the game with tonight would read this. But then they also don't think much of Fran either and look for ANYTHING to critique. Hard to find much to complain about Connor's play not only tonight but all season but boy they sure do. Stats don't lie and nearly every game he's put solid numbers. He rebounds, moves the ball, makes his FTs, plays defense, doesn't turn the ball over.
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We have a segment of our fan base that takes a stance often driven by a false narrative and digs in. Instead of just admitting they are wrong they’ll die defending a crappy piece of ground. No logic or stats will matter. They’ll find any little thing to justify their losing argument.

I did not think Connor could shoot well enough to help us but he has. I’m a reality guy so you have to prove it to me first and he has. He’s done a fantastic job so far this season and is getting better as we go. Hats off to him because it’s not easy being the coaches kid either. I don’t give two tips about nepotism. I only care about playing good ball with whomever you choose to bring in.
 
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He has improved, however, I don't think it is his job to take long 3 point shots early in the time clock. One area of improvement is that he doesn't try to drive into the lane and get swarmed with no way to go anymore.
 
33hawkfan said:
Nunge being out for the year has really been for the best. Nothing against the kid but he just not a fit for B10 basketball.
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Agree with the first part, not the second. Nunge, like Connor, needs to find a position that compliments his teammates. Him and Garza just don’t belong on the floor together. I could see Nunge being much better when Garza is gone and he can play more of a roaming 5 position.
 
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Mohawkeye said:
Agree with the first part, not the second. Nunge, like Connor, needs to find a position that compliments his teammates. Him and Garza just don’t belong on the floor together. I could see Nunge being much better when Garza is gone and he can play more of a roaming 5 position.
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Yes, the 4 out, 1 in offense with Garza and the current starters has made the entire team better. No knock on an individual, it just gives Garza more space and actually improves Iowa's defense as they can switch the 1-4 positions on ball screens.
 
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DodgerHawki said:
Yes, the 4 out, 1 in offense with Garza and the current starters has made the entire team better. No knock on an individual, it just gives Garza more space and actually improves Iowa's defense as they can switch the 1-4 positions on ball screens.
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Agree 100%. The Nunge & Garza pairing was really bad for all these reasons. It’s not a knock on Jack, just a matter of he needs to be a 5.
 
I would rate the bigs 1,2,3... Garza, Kreiner, Nunge in post skills.

This 4-out, 1 post look works fantastic when you have the most skilled offensive post player in history of Iowa B-ball. Nunge will be better next year if he plays the post, but there has to be a huge drop off because is more of an outside shooter vs being a banger. The lineup with Nunge at the 4, the ball moves poorly and doesn't defend well.

Connor has found a unique role as a 2nd PG on court and a guy that can defender bigger players and is doing good job. Connor's glue role reminds me of that guard Gasser on Bo Ryan's final 4 teams.
 
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Connor brings a presense and intensity to the game that can match what Garza does. It tends to rub off on others which is awesome.

I am curious to see what the lineup will look like without Bohannon. Does Joe T start as the 1? Does Kriener start and Connor plays the 1?
 
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SoonerBeAHawk said:
I like how Connor threw up a 3-point air ball ... then 1) attempted another and 2) made it!

Good ol'-fashioned determination is a good part of his game (which is good).
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That was great. Of course my friends were shoving it in my face when he threw up the air ball because I had been telling they were idiots for knocking Connor and spouting off on how well he has played. When he started to shoot one of my friends shouted "there he goes again!" I just kind of whispered to him "aaaaaaaand buries it".
 
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Congrats to those of you who are willing to look at the facts rather than buy into false narratives. I was skeptical of Connor too, but he was only a freshman last year who had been battling his own illnesses and issues. He's a very different player this year, and I've always appreciated his toughness and attitude, things recent Hawkeye teams have sorely lacked. With Garza, Connor, Joe T, CJF (and JBo) leading the way, this team has the swagger that has been missing and that has led to blowing 20-point leads. Not anymore.

Most of Fran's Iowa teams would have--and did--lose games like last night. They would have caved when ISU made its second-half runs. But Connor, Luka, Jordan, CJ Fredrick and Joe T would have none of it. This is the kind of team I've been waiting for, one that has some talent but combines it with toughness and attitude. That combination will take this team a long way, and I'll be thrilled to go along for that ride because I know THESE Hawkeyes are never gonna back down. They are never gonna quit. Connor and company will see to that.
 
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28 mpg, .441 fg%, .310 3pt%, 8.1 pts, 3.8 rbs, 3.9 ast, 1.0 stl, and 0.9 tov. These stats are fantastic when you realize he's often guarding a much bigger player and taking care of the ball on offense. We're going to be really good holding leads at the end of games with Connor, JoBo, and CJF not turning it over and knocking down free throws. Plus, Connor has that leadership where you know he's never going to fold or lose his head. Like Garza he going down fighting to the end.
 
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Hawkfan_08 said:
Connor brings a presense and intensity to the game that can match what Garza does. It tends to rub off on others which is awesome.

I am curious to see what the lineup will look like without Bohannon. Does Joe T start as the 1? Does Kriener start and Connor plays the 1?
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Connor’s abilities are maximized at point forward. JoeT should start in order to maintain this without Bohannon. That means Bakari has got to grow into his role. Will be curious to see if Patrick attempts to come back as JBo sits.
 
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33hawkfan said:
Nunge being out for the year has really been for the best. Nothing against the kid but he just not a fit for B10 basketball.
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Sadly I agree and I am sure many will light me up for it but this team just moves without the ball and moves the ball so much better without in the line-up.
 
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And1Hawk said:
We have a segment of our fan base that takes a stance often driven by a false narrative and digs in. Instead of just admitting they are wrong they’ll die defending a crappy piece of ground. No logic or stats will matter. They’ll find any little thing to justify their losing argument.

I did not think Connor could shoot well enough to help us but he has. I’m a reality guy so you have to prove it to me first and he has. He’s done a fantastic job so far this season and is getting better as we go. Hats off to him because it’s not easy being the coaches kid either. I don’t give two tips about nepotism. I only care about playing good ball with whomever you choose to bring in.
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Well said, and if the youngest son Jack is a 4 star recruit, I hope he's a hawk as well. Pretty rare to ever see a coaches kid just go through the motions and not be all in. Hope Patrick and CMac get to play some quality minutes together during their careers.....
 
kceasthawk said:
Well said, and if the youngest son Jack is a 4 star recruit, I hope he's a hawk as well. Pretty rare to ever see a coaches kid just go through the motions and not be all in. Hope Patrick and CMac get to play some quality minutes together during their careers.....
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I'm not 100% sure Jack will be a 4*. He has a little ways to go still. Great kid though which is what should be more important :)
 
Hawkfan_08 said:
Connor brings a presense and intensity to the game that can match what Garza does. It tends to rub off on others which is awesome.

I am curious to see what the lineup will look like without Bohannon. Does Joe T start as the 1? Does Kriener start and Connor plays the 1?
Click to expand...
I think we saw our answer vs Syracuse. Swap CJF starting in place of Bohannon and you've got:

Connor
CJF
Wieskamp
Kriener
Garza

Fran will try to keep 2 of Connor, CJF, Joe T on the court at all times
We'll see Pemsl and Till spelling our posts, but always trying to keep either Garza or Kriener in
Wieskamp is going to get as many minutes as he can handle

It's an interesting time of year for Bohannon to have to make his decision, with 1 game next week and then another layoff. I certainly don't envy the though process he has to go through for this decision.
 
33hawkfan said:
Nunge being out for the year has really been for the best. Nothing against the kid but he just not a fit for B10 basketball.
Click to expand...

Largely agree. If Jack gets a littler bigger and stronger and confines himself to mostly the deep low post with the occasional Luka like trey. He doesn't seem at all compatible with another deep post player on the floor.

But his injury forced the new lineup and the boys are playing far better out of that quicker lineup. Silver lining to what was thought to be a very black cloud.
 
HeRKeYHoPeFuL said:
I think we saw our answer vs Syracuse. Swap CJF starting in place of Bohannon and you've got:

Connor
CJF
Wieskamp
Kriener
Garza

Fran will try to keep 2 of Connor, CJF, Joe T on the court at all times
We'll see Pemsl and Till spelling our posts, but always trying to keep either Garza or Kriener in
Wieskamp is going to get as many minutes as he can handle

It's an interesting time of year for Bohannon to have to make his decision, with 1 game next week and then another layoff. I certainly don't envy the though process he has to go through for this decision.
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I think you meant start Kriener in place of JBo since CJF has started every game. I think you're right about who starts although I kind of hope at some point in the season Joe T gets into the starting lineup
 
Joe T needs to start if Jordan is gone. I like the change of pace he brings to a game with an established pace and maybe some guys getting winded but he will just need to learn on the job.

But the leash has to be short 'cuz he could start out wild.
 
Underscore2 said:
100 percent disagree.
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The results speak for themselves. The only way I see Nunge really succeeding is if he can play the five spot and he’s seemed way too soft for that. He doesn’t shoot enough, or well enough, to really be a stretch big. He can’t punish smaller defenders in the post. He generally clogs up the floor if he’s in with another big. Defensively he’s not quick enough to guard another wing. I would rather he be healthy and getting Pemsl type minutes but him playing big minutes, especially with Garza was just killing us.
 
F the haters, he is a hard nosed, smart player and brings a lot to this team particularly its toughness which has lacked for years.
 
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