A fiber optic connector that employs an optical fiber guide member, and a cable assembly that uses the connector are disclosed. The connector has a connector housing formed by mateable sections. The connector housing defines a housing passage having opposite connector-end and channel-end portions that define respective connector-end and channel-end passages, with the channel-end portion configured to be arranged adjacent the end of a fiber optic cable. An optical fiber guide member is disposed in the channel-end passage and has a first transition end that faces the connector-end passage. The optical fiber guide member has a conduit configured to loosely confine and guide the optical fibers to the connector-end passage. Connector sub-assemblies can be operably supported at the connector-end portion supporting end portions of the optical fiber.