The "Connor"/scholarship issue

[CanadaHawk]

Just listened to a Gazette podcast interview with Fran that came out today. One important thing he talked about was Connor's baseball/basketball decision. No firm decision yet by Connor as to what he's going to do. Apparently, he wants to play for coach Heller and his dad. Prep school is definitely an option. However, says Fran, "I think if he comes here [this year] he'll play baseball exclusively right away and take his time with basketball." Fran, of course, is quite willing to pay Connor's way, under that scenario, "for the first year."
https://m.soundcloud.com/user-302350582/fran-mccaffery-talks-iowa-basketball

So, 2 implications here.
1) As many have expected, it doesn't look like we're likely to get much contribution from Connor on the floor this year. CW likely stays as backup PG.

2) It sounds like Connor wants to play for his dad and with his brother. If he goes on scholly in 2018, that still projects to 14 schollys on the roster with the addition of Wieskamp in 2018-19. Who leaves? Cook going pro? Wagner going football? Dailey? Williams? Someone else?

 

[iowalawhawk]

1. We are going to be really short on guards next year if Connor doesn't play. Hopefully Dailey, Williams and/or Ellingson can really step their games up.

2. I can't imagine we would go two consecutive years without some sort of transfer, especially with the logjam in the frontcourt.

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

We're not short on guards, we're short on good guards. We really need some of them to make serious progress this offseason.

 

[HoustonHawkeye]

We're not short on guards, we're short on good guards. We really need some of them to make serious progress this offseason.

I would love to see AJ Green in the 18 class with Wieskamp.

 

[CanadaHawk]

I would love to see AJ Green in the 18 class with Wieskamp.

IF Green would come to Iowa, he only could come IF:
1) We have 2 transfers
or
2) 1 transfer and Connor stays exclusively in baseball
Or
3) 1 transfer and Fran pays for Connor to walk on in 2018-19

 

[L. Wade Childress]

IF Green would come to Iowa, he only could come IF:
1) We have 2 transfers
or
2) 1 transfer and Connor stays exclusively in baseball

Why can't/wouldn't Connor play all four years as a walk on?

Connor is clearly good enough for a full ride in hoops but if he is not going to dedicate himself to Basketball and there is an even stronger argument for fran paying his way the entire way through.

 

[hawk-i bob]

Why can't/wouldn't Connor play all four years as a walk on?

Connor is clearly good enough for a full ride in hoops but if he is not going to dedicate himself to Basketball and there is an even stronger argument for fran paying his way the entire way through.

who says he won't pay for Connor all 4 years?

its impossible to project 4 years...but it is very clear that Fran doesnt have a problem with it (if) necessary...he has proven that for 2017-2018 season.

It just isnt necessary to announce something past next year considering a handful things can happen ... transfers (although it seems' so far his returning players didnt abide by what mulitple posters thought they would) and serious injuries just to name a few.

 

[2432Hawk]

Soooooo basically we're stuck with what we had this year. Jbo doing all that he can and getting 10 minutes rest while the worst back up PG in power 5 bball turns it over, misses jumpers, and makes a complete fool of himself on the court. Thank goodness Fran told CW to stay around!

players do improve, thought I'd just share that nugget with you.

Bohannon
Moss
Williams
Ellingson
Dailey

All of them can and will improve, and will have more opportunities to grow and learn in game action.
Last year Jok and Bohannon dominated the minutes at both guard spots. Bohannon is still going to see 30+ minutes but the PT at the other position is going to be available. Moss has a leg up, but I expect the Williams, Ellingson, and Dailey trio to combine for what we lost in Jok, more so defensively which is where we need the most improvement.

 

[CanadaHawk]

players do improve, thought I'd just share that nugget with you.

Bohannon
Moss
Williams
Ellingson
Dailey

All of them can and will improve, and will have more opportunities to grow and learn in game action.
Last year Jok and Bohannon dominated the minutes at both guard spots. Bohannon is still going to see 30+ minutes but the PT at the other position is going to be available. Moss has a leg up, but I expect the Williams, Ellingson, and Dailey trio to combine for what we lost in Jok, more so defensively which is where we need the most improvement.

To me a key in transfer movement next year is the development of Dailey. If he manages to pass Ellingson or Williams in PT, he stays and one of the others is the odd man out. If he's still behind BE and CW after 2017-18, I think Dailey is gone. He's got more O potential than CW and more D potential than BE, so the key for him is getting close to BE's O or CW's D for PT value. Regardless, it's hard to imagine CW, BE, and Dailey all being on the roster after 2017-18, especially if you know Connor is going to play the next year and Wieskamp is going to demand instant minutes as well.

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

What benefit would Connor get from going to prep school? Is it that it would be easier to play both baseball and basketball?

 

[CanadaHawk]

What benefit would Connor get from going to prep school? Is it that it would be easier to play both baseball and basketball?

As far as Connor going to prep school, I could see him going to a school with a good baseball program. With that year, he could develop more physically and see better if he might have pro potential in that sport. Also, it would enable him to play with his brother an extra year if that was the path he decided to go down after the year in prep school.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

who says he won't pay for Connor all 4 years?

its impossible to project 4 years...but it is very clear that Fran doesnt have a problem with it (if) necessary...he has proven that for 2017-2018 season.

It just isnt necessary to announce something past next year considering a handful things can happen ... transfers (although it seems' so far his returning players didnt abide by what mulitple posters thought they would) and serious injuries just to name a few.

Go back and look at my post. I was responding to a post that implied that through the limited scenarios he offered up.

 

[hawk-i bob]

Go back and look at my post. I was responding to a post that implied that through the limited scenarios he offered up.

and I was agreeing with you.

 

[RocknRollface]

What benefit would Connor get from going to prep school? Is it that it would be easier to play both baseball and basketball?

The benefit is it doesn't eat up any college eligiblity.

He still comes in the following year with 4 to play 5.

Just keeps his options more open.

Im not sure if theres prep school baseball.

Edit: Seems like there is prep school baseball.

 

[StormHawk42]

Not speculating on potential transfers (I've been burned on that already) but Ellingson could grad transfer next year if he wants to start somewhere the year after.

 

[Suterman]

We're not short on guards, we're short on good guards. We really need some of them to make serious progress this offseason.

I kind of agree with this. Ellingson, Williams, Dailey and Moss all need to see plenty of improvement this year. I think they all have the potential to be good B1G guards, but they aren't there yet.

 

[icwesthawk]

Well that's disappointing for me. That means we go into the season with JBO and Williams again as our pg's again. Really wanted Connor to take the back up spot, not good news IMHO.

 

[IllQChawk]

So if Connor does go to Iowa next year and only plays baseball how does it work for the number of years he has left if he waits until the 18/19 season to play basketball....will he have 4 years of eligibility left or only 3 with 1 spent on the diamond.....

 

[L. Wade Childress]

His 5 year eligibility clock starts as soon as he is a full time student.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Really thin at PG. JB better stay healthy.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Really thin at PG. JB better stay healthy.

Another reason for JB to work on strength.

 

[RocknRollface]

His 5 year eligibility clock starts as soon as he is a full time student.

Prep school doesn't count against eligibility if thats what you mean by full time student.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

His 5 year eligibility clock starts as soon as he is a full time student.

Is that true? I was thinking you had to participate in a sport to start the eligibility clock. Before posting I looked it up and you are correct.

Here is the rule from the NCAA:

"Division I five-year clock: If you play at a Division I school, you have five-calendar years in which to play four seasons of competition. Your five-year clock starts when you enroll as a full-time student at any college. Thereafter, your clock continues, even if you spend an academic year in residence as a result of transferring; decide to red shirt, if you do not attend school or even if you go part-time during your college career."

 

[unIowa]

To me a key in transfer movement next year is the development of Dailey. If he manages to pass Ellingson or Williams in PT, he stays and one of the others is the odd man out. If he's still behind BE and CW after 2017-18, I think Dailey is gone. He's got more O potential than CW and more D potential than BE, so the key for him is getting close to BE's O or CW's D for PT value. Regardless, it's hard to imagine CW, BE, and Dailey all being on the roster after 2017-18, especially if you know Connor is going to play the next year and Wieskamp is going to demand instant minutes as well.

I don't see BE or CW transferring going into their SR season...Dailey would be possible I guess but not the other two.

 

[hooper56]

They have been working hard with Brady on dribbling to the corner and in a loud, clear voice, exclaiming "TIME OUT"!!!!!

 

[hawk-i bob]

what does "no firm decision" mean? It means Connor has not decided anything yet. I have a feeling if he is the best choice to play Point backup ..he will be doing just that.

I also hope we can get a lot better defensively. I think guys like Christian Williams can help in that area while getting another summer under his belt.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

Really thin at PG. JB better stay healthy.

That's one high ankle sprain away from disaster.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

What benefit would Connor get from going to prep school? Is it that it would be easier to play both baseball and basketball?

When Fran moves on to greener pastures after the upcoming season Connor can follow him and play immediately.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Just listened to a Gazette podcast interview with Fran that came out today. One important thing he talked about was Connor's baseball/basketball decision. No firm decision yet by Connor as to what he's going to do. Apparently, he wants to play for coach Heller and his dad. Prep school is definitely an option. However, says Fran, "I think if he comes here [this year] he'll play baseball exclusively right away and take his time with basketball." Fran, of course, is quite willing to pay Connor's way, under that scenario, "for the first year."
https://m.soundcloud.com/user-302350582/fran-mccaffery-talks-iowa-basketball

So, 2 implications here.
1) As many have expected, it doesn't look like we're likely to get much contribution from Connor on the floor this year. CW likely stays as backup PG.

2) It sounds like Connor wants to play for his dad and with his brother. If he goes on scholly in 2018, that still projects to 14 schollys on the roster with the addition of Wieskamp in 2018-19. Who leaves? Cook going pro? Wagner going football? Dailey? Williams? Someone else?

Connor wants to chase his dream of playing baseball. All good there. That, and Fran realizes the major benefit of a redshirt year. Especially with a loaded team.

Having Connor as a redshirt Junior & redshirt senior will be a much better player than a true junior & senior. The benefits of redshirting are blatantly obvious. But tough for the young folks to comprehend. Look at Dailey. He should have been a freshman this coming season. Look at Uthoff, would you rather have had his senior year been his junior season? Um no. Nor does Jarrod, as he would not be in the NBA right now.

But besides the fact that Connor will be older and closer to his physical peak by the time he graduates as a redshirt senior, he will have ALL the pressure of playing for his dad as a true freshman siphoned away. I can only imagine the few fools on this board going off every night, no EVERY play that Connor has a mistake. That will be lowered considerably... Plus he will be a much better player as a redshirt freshman. The biggest jump a player makes is from their First to Second seasons.

I am very much looking forward to watching Connor (and PMac) play. But having him as a seasoned freshman vs a green freshman player will be a huge difference... Who knows, maybe his batting will take off once he gets to play some Heller ball, and he doesn't see much of the hardwood...? Best of luck to Connor whatever direction his fate takes him.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

The only way it comes back to bite Fran is if Bohannon gets injured.

 

[twindman]

A little off topic here, but aren't both Patrick and Connor about a year older than most kids in the same grade? So they should both be a little more physically mature than most college freshman when they enroll.

 

[IllQChawk]

So if Connor plays baseball and not basketball it counts as a year used of his 5 years....how is that considered a redshirt? If he redshirts as I understand it, then baseball is also out of the equation....right? So why not play both if he is determined to play baseball which is not a fall or winter sport at Iowa anyway....the crossover of basketball and baseball will put a premium on his time management between school work and the 2 sports, but I'm sure his parents will be there to guide him through what will be a very busy freshman season....

 

[L. Wade Childress]

So if Connor plays baseball and not basketball it counts as a year used of his 5 years....how is that considered a redshirt? If he redshirts as I understand it, then baseball is also out of the equation....right? So why not play both if he is determined to play baseball which is not a fall or winter sport at Iowa anyway....the crossover of basketball and baseball will put a premium on his time management between school work and the 2 sports, but I'm sure his parents will be there to guide him through what will be a very busy freshman season....

He can play baseball his first year and either join the basketball team and practice but not play, or not even be involved with basketball at all. Either way his five year clock for all sports starts per NCAA rules.

 

[Hawk_82]

So if Connor plays baseball and not basketball it counts as a year used of his 5 years....how is that considered a redshirt? If he redshirts as I understand it, then baseball is also out of the equation....right? So why not play both if he is determined to play baseball which is not a fall or winter sport at Iowa anyway....the crossover of basketball and baseball will put a premium on his time management between school work and the 2 sports, but I'm sure his parents will be there to guide him through what will be a very busy freshman season....

I think you have 5 years to play 4 years for each sport. but the redshirt years do not have to correlate. he could redshirt fresh year for basketball and play baseball, then the next year redshirt in baseball. then play both the last 3 years

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

A little off topic here, but aren't both Patrick and Connor about a year older than most kids in the same grade? So they should both be a little more physically mature than most college freshman when they enroll.

Any amount helps! The average physical peak for a basketball player is just over 27 years old. So anything that gets them closer to that age, before they join Iowa, is beneficial to them and the team, obviously.... If Connor were to join prep school and then join the team, he could push back the clock even further.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

I think you have 5 years to play 4 years for each sport. but the redshirt years do not have to correlate. he could redshirt fresh year for basketball and play baseball, then the next year redshirt in baseball. then play both the last 3 years

This is right. Although if one were to join prep school, the military, or even a professional sport(other than the one you are enrolled in), that would push back the clock from starting. You see the military or baseball on occasion. One somewhat famous example is Chris Weinke from Florida State. He started college football at 26, after playing minor league baseball.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

Do the Mormon missions happen prior to enrollment, do they get a religious exception, or do they lose eligibility for the BYU players that go?

I've always thought that provided a built in advantage as players have extra years to physically mature before playing.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Do the Mormon missions happen prior to enrollment, do they get a religious exception, or do they lose eligibility for the BYU players that go?

I've always thought that provided a built in advantage as players have extra years to physically mature before playing.

Yep. Religious missions count too. Most certainly an advantage for BYU. The player takes a couple years of training and pumping some iron. They are definitely at an advantage with the bulked up Junior(who comes in as a frosh) versus a skinny, less mature freshman!

 

[ichawk24]

Yes, it is somewhat unfair that BYU systematically has 6th year seniors on their roster.

 

[Ronman]

Am I the only one that thinks if Connor truly does dedicate himself to playing big time baseball, that he will have to neglect the development of his basketball skills?