a suiteql query against the supportcase table (select *) does not seem to pull the contact field. This field is visible via the UI and other methods but am I missing something that suiteanalytics can't get that field for some reason?

Contact appears to be a join on the supportcase table. Go to Setup -> Records Catalog (its the very last one on the bottom)

SELECT *

is pretty temperamental in my experience. Don't rely on it showing all fields.

It's pulling everything under the Analytics Browser, not the Connect Browser as far as I can tell. (4th tab) Analytics Browser.

the contact is connected to the company which is connected to the case I think