Gilbert

[mauconnfan]

If AG leaves, he needs to be replaced by a guard. I'm joining the group that thinks it's unlikely that we'd get a guard who would be better than him.

There will be plenty of playing time next year either way as we'll have 5 guards on the roster and a team that likes to play with 3 or 4 guards, and of the 5 the only one we know will demand over 30 minutes a game of playing time is Bouknight. He should see a path towards getting 20 minutes a game and contributing to an NCAA run. Hopefully that's enough.

That kid Aiken would be a nice addition if healthy. He can flat out score the ball. But like Towns will be looked at by many high ranked programs.

Would love AG back though!

 

[businesslawyer]

That kid Aiken would be a nice addition if healthy. He can flat out score the ball. But like Towns will be looked at by many high ranked programs.

Would love AG back though!

Note I didn't say "impossible." I said "unlikely." I stick to that.

 

[Huskybass]

We've gone through a lot of frustration with AG -- not so much growing pains as readjustment pains -- and now that the process is yielding results, I'd hate to see some other team reap the benefit. If a graduate transfer is on AG's list of options, he needs to be reassured that he'll see major minutes next year right where he is. We have no definitive proof that either Gaffney or Cole will be able to run this team from the point at a level to match the current AG. Want him back.

Please. Cole can run circles around AG. He has been doing it in practice all season. Wake up.

 

[gtcam]

Note I didn't say "impossible." I said "unlikely." I stick to that.

The bonus you get with AG over any other newcomer is that he knows the coach, the coach has high respect for him and he knows the system
Someone coming in could be better at some aspects physically but could also take time to develop/work into the system, and/or could be a personality conflict down the road

 

[LIuconn]

Cole can run circles around AG. He has been doing it in practice all season. Wake up

are you at practice? This isn’t really common knowledge...

I’m a big fan of AG’s and would like to see him return.
If he wants to be a pro, he should move on and latch on with an Australian or Euro team.

If he wants to get into coaching, who better than experience program building than Hurley.

 

[businesslawyer]

The bonus you get with AG over any other newcomer is that he knows the coach, the coach has high respect for him and he knows the system
Someone coming in could be better at some aspects physically but could also take time to develop/work into the system, and/or could be a personality conflict down the road

The biggest reason I'd take AG back is defensively. It is quite a weapon to have to be able to come off the bench with an undersized point who can take the other team out of its offense. Even if you have better offensive players who you're starting.

 

[Huskybass]

are you at practice? This isn’t really common knowledge...

I’m a big fan of AG’s and would like to see him return.
If he wants to be a pro, he should move on and latch on with an Australian or Euro team.

If he wants to get into coaching, who better than experience program building than Hurley.

As a sophomore, Cole was named MEAC Player of the Week on five occasions. He had a season-high 36 points in the regular-season finale versus Norfolk State. Cole led the MEAC in scoring with 21.4 points per game. He was named the MEAC Player of the Year and was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

He has dazzled in practice, often as the best player on the floor. The kid can score and distribute. I don't think our fanbase realizes how good he is yet.

 

[mauconnfan]

are you at practice? This isn’t really common knowledge...

I’m a big fan of AG’s and would like to see him return.
If he wants to be a pro, he should move on and latch on with an Australian or Euro team.

If he wants to get into coaching, who better than experience program building than Hurley.

I highly doubt he's running circles around AG but some just can't refrain from the negative on AG it's simple.

 

[Marat]

As a sophomore, Cole was named MEAC Player of the Week on five occasions. He had a season-high 36 points in the regular-season finale versus Norfolk State. Cole led the MEAC in scoring with 21.4 points per game. He was named the MEAC Player of the Year and was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

He has dazzled in practice, often as the best player on the floor. The kid can score and distribute. I don't think our fanbase realizes how good he is yet.

Maybe because we haven't seen him play with the UConn jersey yet ?

And we've already heard about ferrari's in the garage, Ajou Deng as the best player during the '99 team's practices , etc .....

 

[BlueMAB]

As a sophomore, Cole was named MEAC Player of the Week on five occasions. He had a season-high 36 points in the regular-season finale versus Norfolk State. Cole led the MEAC in scoring with 21.4 points per game. He was named the MEAC Player of the Year and was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

He has dazzled in practice, often as the best player on the floor. The kid can score and distribute. I don't think our fanbase realizes how good he is yet.

We need to be careful expecting the same or similar results against Big East competition.

Since the fanbase isn't at practice, I think you're right, we have no idea how good he is.

 

[Samoo]

What a luxury for UConn to have going into the post-season. An experienced back up (former starting) point guard playing his best ball of the season and the most complete ball of his college career. This has been a key to the win streak and should put us at a real advantage moving forward if Gaffney can resume his better play.

 

[CL82]

The older guards played really well, and Adams was an impact player as well. Bouk was off today, but still showed flashes of who he is. Still nobody I would rather have in a UConn uniform.

Btw, that block by Sid was insane, despite really being a goaltend. It's a play that will be talked about for decades, he was up that high.

Any conference win on the road is a good one. These guys have become a treat to watch. The most likeable UConn team since Bazz & Boat, IMO.

Without the (questionable) fouls Adams would have had a really good game.

 

[Huskybass]

We need to be careful expecting the same or similar results against Big East competition.

Since the fanbase isn't at practice, I think you're right, we have no idea how good he is.

He was an honorable mention All American as a Sophomore. I realize the Big East is a much tougher conference, but the talent is there nonetheless.

 

[Huskybass]

Maybe because we haven't seen him play with the UConn jersey yet ?

And we've already heard about ferrari's in the garage, Ajou Deng as the best player during the '99 team's practices , etc .....

Cole was an honorable mention All American as a Soph and has spent a season with Hurley in practice. He put up 28 points and 6 assists against Georgetown last season. That's vastly different than Ajou Deng or Purvis who hadn't done anything at the D1 level when the hype came out.

 

[ctchamps]

He was an honorable mention All American as a Sophomore. I realize the Big East is a much tougher conference, but the talent is there nonetheless.

It's a given Dan Hurley would not have burned a scholarship for this season to a player in waiting unless he saw something. I'm optimistic about Cole. Hopefully he has the ability to handle the pressure of UConn bb.

Would love to get AG back for another season. We're finally seeing the talent the kid showed as a highly recruited player.

Does anyone know if Gilbert has protective gear for the shoulder? It would account for his shirt always coming out and might explain some of his shooting struggles.

 

[Kitaman]

The best thing for UConn is for Bouk to not have a good game and we still win. Keeps him out of the news.

A Win-Win.

 

[Marat]

The best thing for UConn is for Bouk to not have a good game and we still win. Keeps him out of the news.

A Win-Win.

But no doubt he will be needed to beat the better teams in the conference.

 

[Hoophound]

We really play better small. I like Whaley out there with AG, CV, Bouk and Gaffney or Adams. Given that, I think having AG come back makes a lot of sense. CV will be gone, Cole will step in and we can at least maintain the same strategy.

 

[Kitaman]

But no doubt he will be needed to beat the better teams in the conference.

No doubt, now is the time not just him, but for everyone to elevate their game. Its all next level here on out.

 

[Kenny11]

I highly doubt he's running circles around AG but some just can't refrain from the negative on AG it's simple.

Yeah, I don't get that at all. Though younger than about all of us, AG should be considered a freaking role model for how he has been able to handle adversity.

I haven't heard much of anything about practice this season but I do know in the pre-season of AG's freshman year he was outplaying Jalen Adams and Ollie had AG on the first team in practice while Jalen was struggling somewhat....not that it matters, but this is just to say that AG has a very high talent level and I doubt anyone is killing him in practice.

 

[Huskybass]

Yeah, I don't get that at all. Though younger than about all of us, AG should be considered a freaking role model for how he has been able to handle adversity.

I haven't heard much of anything about practice this season but I do know in the pre-season of AG's freshman year he was outplaying Jalen Adams and Ollie had AG on the first team in practice while Jalen was struggling somewhat....not that it matters, but this is just to say that AG has a very high talent level and I doubt anyone is killing him in practice.

You don't get it at all because you don't want to.

Cole was an honorable mention All American as a Soph. AG shot under 35% from the field and 67% from the free throw line this season.

It shouldn't be hard to see that one of them is a vastly better player.

 

[JB75]

You don't get it at all because you don't want to.

Cole was an honorable mention All American as a Soph. AG shot under 35% from the field and 67% from the free throw line this season.

It shouldn't be hard to see that one of them is a vastly better player.

U really think cole is “vastly” better than AG in all aspects of their game? Wow. Then I’ll expect cole to be first team all big East next year if that’s the case.

 

[Huskybass]

U really think cole is “vastly” better than AG in all aspects of their game? Wow. Then I’ll expect cole to be first team all big East next year if that’s the case.

Would you rather have someone at point guard who shoots 82% or 67% from the free throw line at crunch time? Also, it won't be hard for Cole to be a big upgrade shooting wise as AG is under 35% for the season. Cole can be significantly better than AG has been without being first team all Big East.

Cole was a conference player of the year and an Honorable Mention All American last season. Hurley knows what he has in Cole, that's why he was willing to eat the scholarship this season while Cole had to sit.

I have no idea why any UConn fan wouldn't be real excited to have Cole join talent like Bouknight, Gaffney and Jackson next season. Gilbert is playing much better recently. Nonetheless, I do believe that Cole will be a significant upgrade at point guard next season, although I am excited to see what Gaffney can do as a Soph as well.

 

[Fatroony5]

U really think cole is “vastly” better than AG in all aspects of their game? Wow. Then I’ll expect cole to be first team all big East next year if that’s the case.

Depends on what he means by vastly better. Let’s dive into the numbers. I’ve posted these before but they’re a good reference point for Cole.

He played 11 games against P5/G5 competition (I included A-10 teams and Ivy League). His output is as followed in those games
20.3 PPG
6.3 assists/game
3 TOs/game
32% on 3s
35% on 2s
Nearly 8 free throws/game at 81%

Shooting percentages aren’t great but his usage rates in these games are really high. Probably due to lack of talent on his team and teams keying in on him all game. It’s hard to draw exact conclusions from these but I found the numbers interesting. It’s clear Cole can score the rock when needed, his free throw attempts are really high as well which is a good sign.

I took a look at AG over the past 11 games (since his role has changed) and his numbers are as followed:
24 minutes per game
7.7 points
2.3 assists
1.7 turnovers
Shooting about 38% overall and from 3.

what really jumps out is how AG is shooting so much better of late from 3, hes one of the best on the team now. It was fair to be critical of AG early in the season, I certainly was. His production/usage was hurting the team, but His new role has really changed the dynamic of the team and he’s settled into it nicely. If he came back and played a similar role again next season, he’s showing he can be a valuable player in that type of role.

 

[imno1]

Does anyone else think Al may regain his starting role during this season?

 

[Jay-Bone]

Does anyone else think Al may regain his starting role during this season?

No slight against Gaffney, who did amazing stepping in, but Gaffney becomes a deer in headlights on the road. No telling how hesitant he may become in his first bout of post season play. That may factor into AG getting more time. Then again, AG is doing well off the bench, so Dan Hurley may keep starting JG ceremoniously.

 

[awfuldan]

Would you rather have someone at point guard who shoots 82% or 67% from the free throw line at crunch time? Also, it won't be hard for Cole to be a big upgrade shooting wise as AG is under 35% for the season. Cole can be significantly better than AG has been without being first team all Big East.

Cole was a conference player of the year and an Honorable Mention All American last season. Hurley knows what he has in Cole, that's why he was willing to eat the scholarship this season while Cole had to sit.
.

The Player of the Year from every conference is automatically an honorable mention for All-American. It doesn’t guarantee that player will be a succeed in a high major conference.

For example, Cane Broome was POY and an honorable mention All-American before he transferred to Cincinnati. At Cinci, he was the sixth man and did not average double figures in either of his subsequent seasons.

I’m really excited for Cole but I’m a little worried that the expectations are too high around here.

 

[Slick]

Please. Cole can run circles around AG. He has been doing it in practice all season. Wake up.

Who said he has been running circles around him?

 

[Huskybass]

The Player of the Year from every conference is automatically an honorable mention for All-American. It doesn’t guarantee that player will be a succeed in a high major conference.

For example, Cane Broome was POY and an honorable mention All-American before he transferred to Cincinnati. At Cinci, he was the sixth man and did not average double figures in either of his subsequent seasons.

I’m really excited for Cole but I’m a little worried that the expectations are too high around here.

I get the point you are trying to make, but I believe that Cole is a much better player than Cane Broome. Broome was more of an undersized shooting guard, never averaging over 3 assists in any season. Cole averaged over 6 assists and 22.5 points in his first two years of D1 competition. Any guy with over 1500 points and 415 assists in his first two seasons is a player.

I guess we will see next season.

 

[Tuna]

As a sophomore, Cole was named MEAC Player of the Week on five occasions. He had a season-high 36 points in the regular-season finale versus Norfolk State. Cole led the MEAC in scoring with 21.4 points per game. He was named the MEAC Player of the Year and was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

He has dazzled in practice, often as the best player on the floor. The kid can score and distribute. I don't think our fanbase realizes how good he is yet.

Have you looked at the AA honorable mention list? It’s a great honor but I don’t think it means what you think it means.