Calhoun sees ‘rejuvenation’ as UConn returns to the Big East

[HooperScooper]

Nice article with lots of good quotes. I'm always interested in what Calhoun has to say about college basketball. UConn in particular.

“I think the (James) Bouknight kid is going to be important to us, because we need a great player,” Calhoun said. “I mean that. Early in the comeback that Danny Hurley is involved with, you need the team, of course, but you also maybe need a guy that everyone wants to see play.

“I’ve seen the point guard from Howard (transfer R.J. Cole), too, heard some great things, was out to practice six, seven times. He can play. Not a great shooter, but if they can get enough shooting — I can’t talk nationally right now — but they’d be one the of three, four best teams in the Big East. If you’re one of the three, four best teams right now, you’re going to the NCAA Tournament.”

Jeff Jacobs: Calhoun sees ‘rejuvenation’ as UConn returns to the Big East

Hall of Famer Jim Calhoun was one of the coaching stars in the old Big East, so he’s...

www.ctinsider.com

For those without access to Register articles: Calhoun sees ‘rejuvenation’ as UConn returns to the Big East

 

[Waquoit]

Cole can't shoot?

 

[Huskymagic]

Nice article with lots of good quotes. I'm always interested in what Calhoun has to say about college basketball. UConn in particular.

“I think the (James) Bouknight kid is going to be important to us, because we need a great player,” Calhoun said. “I mean that. Early in the comeback that Danny Hurley is involved with, you need the team, of course, but you also maybe need a guy that everyone wants to see play.

“I’ve seen the point guard from Howard (transfer R.J. Cole), too, heard some great things, was out to practice six, seven times. He can play. Not a great shooter, but if they can get enough shooting — I can’t talk nationally right now — but they’d be one the of three, four best teams in the Big East. If you’re one of the three, four best teams right now, you’re going to the NCAA Tournament.”

Jeff Jacobs: Calhoun sees ‘rejuvenation’ as UConn returns to the Big East

Hall of Famer Jim Calhoun was one of the coaching stars in the old Big East, so he’s...

www.ctinsider.com

For those without access to Register articles: Calhoun sees ‘rejuvenation’ as UConn returns to the Big East

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of RJ Cole there by Calhoun.

Calhoun is not a fan of these Jersey guards unless they’re a can’t miss prospect. Neither am I.

Gaffney should be starting PG to begin the year.

 

[Hoophound]

I think Cole might be a little motivated to show JC he was wrong on the shooting.

 

[UCfor3]

Hopefully his impression of Cole's shooting ability is based on just the small sample size of those 6 practices. He did ok at Howard albeit as a volume scorer against lesser competition. Perimeter shooting is one my biggest concerns for this team. Can't have enough shooting.

 

[RichZ]

I just love that he still speaks of UConn in the first person plural. It's us and we, not them and they.

 

[tcf15]

But I thought Cole was the best player in practice

/s

 

[uconngb]

I just love that he still speaks of UConn in the first person plural. It's us and we, not them and they.

Beat me to it. I LOVE this.......

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

I feel like this team should be a pretty good shooting team? We’re not going to be Nova in their championship years, but we should be able to hold our own.

-Polley can stroke it as well as anyone
-I’d expect Cole’s efficiency to improve and volume to go down.
-Bouknight is a good shooter and will only be better next season I’d assume
-BAdams and Gaffney are average shooters I’d say, and will only improve

I’m more concerned about replacing Vital’s tenacity in the backcourt, especially if Martin can’t get a waiver. I think our defense in the backcourt is a big question mark. But I trust Hurley+ staff’s development capabilities, especially with the depth and talent on this roster.

 

[HooperScooper]

Cole can't shoot?

O.K. let's take that comment literally, since that's the Boneyard way. He said, "Not a great shooter..." So that means he could still be a good shooter, just not a great shooter. Good shooter is good enough if you do other things well too.

 

[87Xfer]

"...the Bouknight kid..."

Thanks for posting this. Good article.

 

[UChusky916]

Calhoun still pushing all the right buttons. What a gift

 

[Waquoit]

O.K. let's take that comment literally, since that's the Boneyard way. He said, "Not a great shooter..." So that means he could still be a good shooter, just not a great shooter. Good shooter is good enough if you do other things well too.

You're not helping

 

[husky99]

Love Calhoun

 

[UCLJ0211]

I just love that he still speaks of UConn in the first person plural. It's us and we, not them and they.

He is and always will be the Godfather of UConn.

 

[bendm]

Calhoun is not a fan of these Jersey guards unless they’re a can’t miss prospect. Neither am I.

give it a rest no one cares

 

[Hoophound]

But I thought Cole was the best player in practice

/s

So does JC, that’s why he’s pushing him. That’s what JC does. Wouldn’t be surprised if he and Hurley talked about it over a BLT at some point. Hurley and JC are two peas, JC is telling Cole to shoot 500+ jumpers per day.

 

[Chief00]

Quite frankly, Jim is always candid, sometimes brutally honest.

 

[ucp990411]

Quite frankly, Jim is always candid, sometimes brutally honest.

What about when he said Justin Brown was pushing Emeka for the starting spot?

 

[Lamble]

What about when he said Justin Brown was pushing Emeka for the starting spot?

Calhoun only wanted one person to believe that quote, and that person was Emeka. I am pretty sure even Brown didn't believe him.

 

[lange10]

"Time will tell" - JimHurley

 

[GoDAWGS]

O.K. let's take that comment literally, since that's the Boneyard way. He said, "Not a great shooter..." So that means he could still be a good shooter, just not a great shooter. Good shooter is good enough if you do other things well too.

Let consider the source is also jim calhoun, you get your compliments when you've earned them

 

[dennismenace]

I thought his comments on reaching out to Patrick Ewen showed the human side of JC, his love for the game and appreciation for a young coach with a lot of trouble on his plate. I think it showed his empathy for someone struggling and how much pressure he must be under and how JC could relate to that and try to give support. Pretty good guy to have in your corner in a spot like that. He can be very motivating!

 

[Chief00]

What about when he said Justin Brown was pushing Emeka for the starting spot?

I will give you the button pusher thing - he’s a master at that. Away from player motivation, O was thinking of how he could break down teams or games, Blaney and Calhoun can be absolutely brutally honest and genius at breaking it down.