Its kind of a complex team problem, both skill and chemistry. The nepotism complaints are childish and should be largely ignored.
Team chemistry is important. Remember when Iowa lost to DePaul and Nunge had his first season ending knee injury? Everyone predicted disaster. Gonna lose 6 in a row (I think Texas Tech and the Clowns were going to be the first two losses). People saying they'd settle for 2-4 over the next games. All chance of NCAAs gone?
Connor entered the line up and what happened. Defense improved immediately because Jack playing defense outside the lane was appalling. The team became mentally much tougher. We picked up another three point shooter, albeit that disappeared this season just ended. Ran much better and got back on defense better.
Having someone to bring the team under control when things went bad, to stand up to the tough guys in the league. Oh, in case I did not mention it, someone great at team need #1: feed Luka.
BUT, in the immortal words of George Harrison, all things must pass.
Iowa won't need a great post feeder because the points are coming from everywhere with no clear first choice to feed. Joe T is plenty tough and has been around 3 seasons now. CJ might be fragile but he doesn't back down. We don't need someone to toughen up Iowa, its already been done.
It was possible for the team with the best scorer in the country to have a corresponding spot that did not produce many points. Looking at the roster Iowa will need every starter to be a scoring threat, unless we sign a big man that mostly rebounds and defends the rim and does so very well.
As a consistent defender I'd love to see CJ have one of those lights all come on senior years. He's a big strong kid, and a lefty so you'd think he could score some inside. His jump shot and free throws look terrible and they are terrible. Love to see them drop but, after 4 years of college ball an outside player shooting 20% from three is a big liability and not likely to improve enough to be net positive.
Joey, P McC, CJ and Ke Murray seem like a natural starting foursome, don't they? Clearly the four best returning players. Their sort of natural positions on the court, or more like their games regardless of position seem very complimentary-almost the way a coach might design a lineup. Since Keegan and Patrick really need to start and since Kris plays more like both Patrick and Keegan than does Connor Kris will probably be the reserve for both guys Connor's game becomes more marginalized in light of the team needs.
Since Connor is a smart player, grew up Dad a basketball head coach in the NCAAs and Mom was just a college starter why would people think the kid would not have coaching skills. He's learned a lot from Fran but like all young men surely has some ideas of his own. I don't know if they have graduate assistants anymore but I'd like to see him as a grad asst with a single assignment: new defensive game plans and coaching it into the players.