Thoughts on Cook..

[SotaHawk87]

Something seems to be off. There’s no fire though no intensity. Even when he played poorly in the past he still seemed engaged and fired up. Seems like a zombie with no emotion or aggression anymore. I get his final stat line was actually decent but here’s no question something has changed and something is missing..

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Something seems to be off. There’s no fire though no intensity. Even when he played poorly in the past he still seemed engaged and fired up. Seems like a zombie with no emotion or aggression anymore. I get his final stat line was actually decent but here’s no question something has changed and something is missing..

He’s scared also.

 

[DaCDiggity]

Maybe something is going on outside of basketball. These kids do have life outside of basketball..

 

[DirtyJohns97]

In the half court, he's really only effective when he can pin a guy down low and work 1 on 1. He can't beat a double and is a terrible passer out of it. A terrible passer in general. He's a great finisher at the rim, no doubt, but those highlights are few and far between. I dont blame him but if your offense through him, hes a turnover machine.

 

[Packer54]

I think once he finally realized his potential pro career was only going to be overseas, he started to lose interest.

 

[ICParrent]

He is more prepared for the "non-playoffs" version of the NBA than anyone else on the team. Jogging up and down the floor, defense optional, not much vertical game unless its for a dunk.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

There's something disconnected with all of Fran's teams...something missing. Hard to describe it clearly... intensity, toughness, focus, killer instinct...whatever. It's why they typically fade late in the year.

Is it in his coaching style? Are they so burned out and/or frustrated by March that they just lose interest?

 

[LarryStation]

Could it be that everyone on the team wonders whey Connor gets so much playing time?

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Could it be that everyone on the team wonders whey Connor gets so much playing time?

Try having two of your kids on the team. I'm telling you...this will not end well. It's gonna get ugly in 2 years when we have a team loaded with skinny white kids from Iowa and the McCaffery boys are both starting. The end is going to be ugly... 2020-21 could be a complete meltdown

 

[HawkSTL]

I think we underestimate scouting in this conference. The BIG has us scouted offensively and we have no counter. Stick to Jbo, sag on Cook and throw bodies at him on the post, stick to shooters, and overplay ball pressure because nobody is a threat off the bounce.

Specific to Cook, his best skills are back-to-basket and dribble driving posts from the short post. But both are easily countered, throw a large physical presence on Cook or throw bodies at him, and simply sag off him in the mid-post because he has no jump shot.

Our players either can shoot but can’t drive, drive but can’t shoot, or can’t really do either well.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Could it be that everyone on the team wonders whey Connor gets so much playing time?

Can we stop being stupid about this?

We’ve bitched about not having a backup pg for year.

 

[hawkeye54545]

His passing has been awful. How many turnovers has he committed either trying to feed inside or bounce pass a cutter?

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

I think once he finally realized his potential pro career was only going to be overseas, he started to lose interest.

I thought of this as well.

He’s realized that he has a zero% chance at the Nba in his lifetime. So coming back to Iowa next season won’t help him get there anyway.

He’s frusrated & knows his only pro career is overseas so he might as well leave after this season.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

I thought of this as well.

He’s realized that he has a zero% chance at the Nba in his lifetime. So coming back to Iowa next season won’t help him get there anyway.

He’s frusrated & knows his only pro career is overseas so he might as well leave after this season.

If he's smart (and I'm sure his family is in on this) he'd be wise to get his degree. His professional career in basketball may be a short one.

 

[ChiHawk21]

Could it be that everyone on the team wonders whey Connor gets so much playing time?

Who else would you suggest takes his minutes? Dailey?

 

[cocoem]

Try having two of your kids on the team. I'm telling you...this will not end well. It's gonna get ugly in 2 years when we have a team loaded with skinny white kids from Iowa and the McCaffery boys are both starting. The end is going to be ugly... 2020-21 could be a complete meltdown

Such jealousy

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Such jealousy

Jealous of what? reach much? (btw, is this Margaret or Conner?)

 

[LarryStation]

Who else would you suggest takes his minutes? Dailey?

Easy, Dolph... just sharing a thought on what could be going through the players' minds.

 

[cocoem]

His passing has been awful. How many turnovers has he committed either trying to feed inside or bounce pass a cutter?

He is first on team in assists per 40 minutes and 5th in TO per 40....there are bigger problems. But it is easier for people that can't get past that he the coaches son even though he was a TOP 100 recruit. Thank goodness he didn't do to another school...his old man would of been crushed for not being able to recruit.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

He is first on team in assists per 40 minutes and 5th in TO per 40....there are bigger problems. But it is easier for people that can't get past that he the coaches son even though he was a TOP 100 recruit. Thank goodness he didn't do to another school...his old man would of been crushed for not being able to recruit.

Connor needs to get his shot figured out. If he could make any outside shot he would be considerably more effective. CMac hit the 3 at a good clip in HS, at almost 40% from the 3. Not sure why he cannot hit the broadside of a barn now??? But if he can get that going, we'll be MUCH better off in the next three years.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

I think we underestimate scouting in this conference. The BIG has us scouted offensively and we have no counter. Stick to Jbo, sag on Cook and throw bodies at him on the post, stick to shooters, and overplay ball pressure because nobody is a threat off the bounce.

Specific to Cook, his best skills are back-to-basket and dribble driving posts from the short post. But both are easily countered, throw a large physical presence on Cook or throw bodies at him, and simply sag off him in the mid-post because he has no jump shot.

Our players either can shoot but can’t drive, drive but can’t shoot, or can’t really do either well.

Fran needs to adjust. Hopefully he is seeing that by watching us from the big screen... I personally think it is going to help him, and the team, by sitting in his office eating pizza from the Wig and Pen.

What a way to learn from your own team, by watching them live from the TV. Significantly different from viewing an edited video... He has got to see some need for changes. Let's hope it turns out to be a major positive!

 

[ChiHawk21]

Easy, Dolph... just sharing a thought on what could be going through the players' minds.

I’m uncertain how this is relatable to Dolph other than that I referenced Dailey..out of sincere curiosity.

Now that said...I don’t believe you have answered my question? Please outline who fills Connor’s 19 minutes at PG at a more effective level? If you want to complain about something...have a (reasonable) solution.

 

[ChiHawk21]

He is first on team in assists per 40 minutes and 5th in TO per 40....there are bigger problems. But it is easier for people that can't get past that he the coaches son even though he was a TOP 100 recruit. Thank goodness he didn't do to another school...his old man would of been crushed for not being able to recruit.

Couldn’t have said it better. Don’t forget he is a Freshman...

I’m ok with people blaming Barta, or even Fran, for disappointment. Now that said, what does this fanbase actually “expect” out of the basketball program? Is that realistic for IOWA - all things considered including fanbase, market size, geography, weather, visibility, history, university support/investment. IF we were to change coaches...who do we find that isn’t the next Alford/Lickliter??

Face it...Fran has revived this program. He and his family DESERVE, all of our support...and dollars. This wasn’t, and isn’t an easy job. Some of you just create completely unrealistic pipe dreams after a taste of success that will never be reachable for IOWA. Where were you fools when this program was reeling in the depths? Have some perspective.

 

[YouGotThatRight]

Something seems to be off. There’s no fire though no intensity. Even when he played poorly in the past he still seemed engaged and fired up. Seems like a zombie with no emotion or aggression anymore. I get his final stat line was actually decent but here’s no question something has changed and something is missing..

Cook has averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds in the last 4 games, shooting over 50% from the field. He's been by far the most consistent player.

 

[SotaHawk87]

Cook has averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds in the last 4 games, shooting over 50% from the field. He's been by far the most consistent player.

His defense has gone from average to awful and his turnovers continue to spike.. He shows half the emotion he has for the first 25 games of the season and isn’t demanding the ball in the post anymore..

 

[grayhair81]

Try having two of your kids on the team. I'm telling you...this will not end well. It's gonna get ugly in 2 years when we have a team loaded with skinny white kids from Iowa and the McCaffery boys are both starting. The end is going to be ugly... 2020-21 could be a complete meltdown

Hey, our hickories won't crack.

 

[owenhawk]

Can we stop being stupid about this?

We’ve bitched about not having a backup pg for year.

Completely correct. Cook is a lot more talented then Connor but reality is Cook doesn’t give close to as much effort as Connor or most of the guys and it sucks to watch. His lame ass passing and standing around on defense and rebounding and not diving in the floor for loose balls is the sign of a weak competitor.

Connor is the whipping boy because people are mad at Fran but Connor is fine for what he should be. A back-up PG playing 5-10 minutes a game. That’s it. He plays more because people like Moss and Dailey are negatives at SG and the have to move Bohannon there.

 

[YouGotThatRight]

His defense has gone from average to awful and his turnovers continue to spike.. He shows half the emotion he has for the first 25 games of the season and isn’t demanding the ball in the post anymore..

In the recent losses, Maryland, OSU, and Rutgers made 35 of 83 three-point shots (42%), while the Hawkeyes were 22 of 74 behind the arc (30%). In those three games Iowa gave up 39 more points from 3 point shots than we scored, and lost by a combined total of 35. We haven't defended outside shots and we're not making them. Our guards are failing.

 

[MikeyHawk]

I think we underestimate scouting in this conference. The BIG has us scouted offensively and we have no counter. Stick to Jbo, sag on Cook and throw bodies at him on the post, stick to shooters, and overplay ball pressure because nobody is a threat off the bounce.

Specific to Cook, his best skills are back-to-basket and dribble driving posts from the short post. But both are easily countered, throw a large physical presence on Cook or throw bodies at him, and simply sag off him in the mid-post because he has no jump shot.

Our players either can shoot but can’t drive, drive but can’t shoot, or can’t really do either well.

Excellent post
The coaching in this conference is high level. The scouting is at a high level.

The other teams are starting to put pressure on the guards and Cook is being played physically as well. No jump shot limits what Cook can do.

If teams are that physical, then guards that can get to the basket are the key. Iowa is full of spot up shooters, and teams are not allowing that to happen.

 

[ChiHawk21]

I’m uncertain how this is relatable to Dolph other than that I referenced Dailey..out of sincere curiosity.

Now that said...I don’t believe you have answered my question? Please outline who fills Connor’s 19 minutes at PG at a more effective level? If you want to complain about something...have a (reasonable) solution.

Excellent post
The coaching in this conference is high level. The scouting is at a high level.

The other teams are starting to put pressure on the guards and Cook is being played physically as well. No jump shot limits what Cook can do.

If teams are that physical, then guards that can get to the basket are the key. Iowa is full of spot up shooters, and teams are not allowing that to happen.

Which would actually also offer context of why we have seen many Fran teams struggle in the second half of the conference season. Fran recruits spot up shooters and big guys, but not play creating PG’s. All Fran teams are missing one piece...a real PG.

 

[hawkeye54545]

He is first on team in assists per 40 minutes and 5th in TO per 40....there are bigger problems. But it is easier for people that can't get past that he the coaches son even though he was a TOP 100 recruit. Thank goodness he didn't do to another school...his old man would of been crushed for not being able to recruit.

You realize I was talking about Cook?

And for the record, I realize we are better with Cook and hope he stays another year. But I stand by my point he is such a lazy passer.

 

[Pepperman]

He is first on team in assists per 40 minutes and 5th in TO per 40....there are bigger problems. But it is easier for people that can't get past that he the coaches son even though he was a TOP 100 recruit. Thank goodness he didn't do to another school...his old man would of been crushed for not being able to recruit.

Great, he WAS a top 100 recruit.

Tell me another B1G program that would recruit him now knowing what he offers? I'll wait.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

Connor needs to get his shot figured out. If he could make any outside shot he would be considerably more effective. CMac hit the 3 at a good clip in HS, at almost 40% from the 3. Not sure why he cannot hit the broadside of a barn now??? But if he can get that going, we'll be MUCH better off in the next three years.

He was over 40%. To be fair the majority of his 3 point attempts have been wild shots at the end of the time clock.

 

[dbleagle1]

Jealous of what? reach much? (btw, is this Margaret or Conner?)

Rumor is the McCaffery household are all big Ric Flair fans

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Rumor is the McCaffery household are all big Ric Flair fans

Someone I know made a comment on another site saying "You think Fran is bad on the bench, you should see him at West High during his kid's game". I called him on it and said...come on really? He insists that Fran and Margie are pretty ...well, outspoken at the high school games.

Any truth to this?

 

[cocoem]

Great, he WAS a top 100 recruit.

Tell me another B1G program that would recruit him now knowing what he offers? I'll wait.

All of them

 

[Pepperman]

All of them

 

[K OKeefe]

Jealous of what? reach much? (btw, is this Margaret or Conner?)

You would know if it was Margaret because "jealous much" would have been in all caps as she busted a tirade on your ***.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

The offense is the issue. The pieces are half to one dimensional. Everyone looks bad in a stagnant offense and I suspect Cook is getting frustrated being double teamed every time he touches the ball. If it doesn't look fun or efficient from our living rooms imagine playing in the game.

There aren't enough complimentary pieces around Cook to accentuate his game. Same with Bohannon and Wieskamp. I don't see it as a this guy or that guy issue but as a systemic failure of Fran to recruit the right pieces for his style or to adjust his style to the players he has vs. those he thinks he has. As others have stated, Iowa is a very easy team to defend because there is no threat of a dribble drive from 1-3. When a "good" shot is Garza jacking a 3 the offense isn't working. Combine this with bad D and you have major issues that aren't resolved by an extra film session.

 

[K OKeefe]

The offense is the issue. The pieces are half to one dimensional. Everyone looks bad in a stagnant offense and I suspect Cook is getting frustrated being double teamed every time he touches the ball. If it doesn't look fun or efficient from our living rooms imagine playing in the game.

There aren't enough complimentary pieces around Cook to accentuate his game. Same with Bohannon and Wieskamp. I don't see it as a this guy or that guy issue but as a systemic failure of Fran to recruit the right pieces for his style or to adjust his style to the players he has vs. those he thinks he has. As others have stated, Iowa is a very easy team to defend because there is no threat of a dribble drive from 1-3. When a "good" shot is Garza jacking a 3 the offense isn't working. Combine this with bad D and you have major issues that aren't resolved by an extra film session.

For JBo to be effective in this offense he has to play similar to the way JJ Redick is used- running off of multiple screens to get him open to shoot. JBo is unable to create his own shot against B1G guards.