Journal Inquirer article: A 2-for-1 deal at UConn

[HooperScooper]

Article about UConn potentially starting Gaffney and Cole in the backcourt as a 2 pronged point guard attack like many UConn teams have.

“Me and Jalen together, that would be, that would be an amazing thing,” Cole said. “We’re both playmakers, unselfish, we like to play with our teammates.”

Journal Inquirer

The latest news from Manchester, Connecticut, as well as coverage of Enfield, Vernon, South Windsor, East Hartford and beyond.

www.journalinquirer.com

For those without JI access: A 2-for-1 deal at UConn

 

[Chin Diesel]

There will definitely be extended periods of time with Cole, Gaff and Bouk on the court at the same time.

 

[mauconnfan]

Good article and exciting potential. Seems all are impressed with Sanogo too.

Jalen looks to be doing all the right things so good for him and us. Needs to make open shots though especially if in the lineup with RJ or RJ will have a tough time getting open looks. I do believe despite his numbers he's a much better shooter than we saw, I do hope so! No matter so much excitement around the team, they really need to play or it will really really suck!

 

[TheChamps990411]

Article about UConn potentially starting Gaffney and Cole in the backcourt as a 2 pronged point guard attack like many UConn teams have.

“Me and Jalen together, that would be, that would be an amazing thing,” Cole said. “We’re both playmakers, unselfish, we like to play with our teammates.”

Journal Inquirer

The latest news from Manchester, Connecticut, as well as coverage of Enfield, Vernon, South Windsor, East Hartford and beyond.

www.journalinquirer.com

For those without JI access: A 2-for-1 deal at UConn

I think Gaffney/Cole will be the starting backcourt next season.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Good article and exciting potential. Seems all are impressed with Sanogo too.

Jalen looks to be doing all the right things so good for him and us. Needs to make open shots though especially if in the lineup with RJ or RJ will have a tough time getting open looks. I do believe despite his numbers he's a much better shooter than we saw, I do hope so! No matter so much excitement around the team, they really need to play or it will really really suck!

Im in the minority but i have a lot of faith in Gaffney. I think hes going to be terrific for the next 3 years here. Have a little faith lol

 

[Ts5034]

Im in the minority but i have a lot of faith in Gaffney. I think hes going to be terrific for the next 3 years here. Have a little faith lol

I think Gaffney is going to be a really good four year player. I think he's going to be one of those guys the we always wish could be on our side, but this time, he actually is.

 

[HooperScooper]

I think Gaffney is going to be a really good four year player. I think he's going to be one of those guys the we always wish could be on our side, but this time, he actually is.

UConn has a need for some guards. They have a need for a guard. They believe when it’s time for Trevor to get there, a couple of their guys [James Bouknight and Jalen Gaffney] have an opportunity to go to the next level. They need a guy that can come in and be ready to play.”

Trevor Keels is hearing from a Who's Who of high-major programs | Zagsblog

By ADAM ZAGORIA Trevor Keels, the 6-foot-5 […]

www.zagsblog.com

 

[bendm]

UConn has a need for some guards. They have a need for a guard. They believe when it’s time for Trevor to get there, a couple of their guys [James Bouknight and Jalen Gaffney] have an opportunity to go to the next level. They need a guy that can come in and be ready to play.”

now that bouk's made it clear 2 years is and was always the plan, who better to fill his scholly than keels?

 

[lange10]

Im in the minority but i have a lot of faith in Gaffney. I think hes going to be terrific for the next 3 years here. Have a little faith lol

I don't think you're in the minority on that one.

 

[bfs3]

now that bouk's made it clear 2 years is and was always the plan, who better to fill his scholly than keels?

I would love it if we landed keels. We don’t have any scholarships open right now. I just don’t see him waiting until after the season is over to make a commitment. I suppose we could always take it and fake someone else as a walk on until Bouk declares.

 

[mauconnfan]

Im in the minority but i have a lot of faith in Gaffney. I think hes going to be terrific for the next 3 years here. Have a little faith lol

I do have faith and I am sure at the very least he will be a very good 4 year piece for us. But I do need to see more in regards to shooting, guarding quick PGs and running the offense against quicker defenders. He was good, solid but the guy I saw last year only has potential to be a starting guard for us especially in the Big East now. But he sure looks and sounds like he’s ready to improve.

 

[Rico444]

I do have faith and I am sure at the very least he will be a very good 4 year piece for us. But I do need to see more in regards to shooting, guarding quick PGs and running the offense against quicker defenders. He was good, solid but the guy I saw last year only has potential to be a starting guard for us especially in the Big East now. But he sure looks and sounds like he’s ready to improve.

He was also a true freshman handed the keys to the team. We haven't had many of those in our program's history. Shabazz even had his struggles when he ran the team his sophomore year. I have no reason to expect that he wouldn't improve.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think the starting lineup depends on what we can put out there at the 3 spot. I don't think Bouk is an ideal 3 for us, but he can be if needed. So while I expect we will see that three guard lineup, I can't see that being the primary lineup, especially if Martin gets a waiver. If Polley isn't ready right away and Jackson hasn't shown he can start, maybe we start off with 3 guards.

Lots of uncertainty with minutes and starting jobs, including a lighter Josh Carlton, who will probably start with Whaley at PF.

 

[bendm]

We don’t have any scholarships open right now.

thanks captain obvious (JK) i know we don't have any more schollys but in this instance it's a distinction without a difference. bouk explicitly said he's leaving so it's not like hurley is recruiting over him by signing Keels (like Cal does every year at UK forcing the players to move on whether or not theyre ready)

caveat- if we dont have a season and hurley still hasnt signed a 4th player by the spring then i'm gonna assume that means bouk might come back

 

[Jimdish255]

Good article and exciting potential. Seems all are impressed with Sanogo too.

Jalen looks to be doing all the right things so good for him and us. Needs to make open shots though especially if in the lineup with RJ or RJ will have a tough time getting open looks. I do believe despite his numbers he's a much better shooter than we saw, I do hope so! No matter so much excitement around the team, they really need to play or it will really really suck!

Somebody's bound to get hot.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I think the starting lineup depends on what we can put out there at the 3 spot. I don't think Bouk is an ideal 3 for us, but he can be if needed. So while I expect we will see that three guard lineup, I can't see that being the primary lineup, especially if Martin gets a waiver. If Polley isn't ready right away and Jackson hasn't shown he can start, maybe we start off with 3 guards.

Lots of uncertainty with minutes and starting jobs, including a lighter Josh Carlton, who will probably start with Whaley at PF.

An opening night lineup of Cole, Gaff, Bouk, Whaley and Carlton isn't hard to imagine.

 

[Waquoit]

UConn always had 2 PG's in their heyday

 

[TheChamps990411]

An opening night lineup of Cole, Gaff, Bouk, Whaley and Carlton isn't hard to imagine.

Dont like that lineup at all.

 

[Son of Robert]

An opening night lineup of Cole, Gaff, Bouk, Whaley and Carlton isn't hard to imagine.

It's either this lineup, or I really think Polley will start at the 4 if he's good to go. That's 4 out, good playmaking and ball handling, multiple scorers and shooters, great spacing, high octane, and Carlton in the post with legit post moves.

 

[bfs3]

thanks captain obvious (JK) i know we don't have any more schollys but in this instance it's a distinction without a difference. bouk explicitly said he's leaving so it's not like hurley is recruiting over him by signing Keels (like Cal does every year at UK forcing the players to move on whether or not theyre ready)

caveat- if we dont have a season and hurley still hasnt signed a 4th player by the spring then i'm gonna assume that means bouk might come back

Note the second half of my post. My question is really are we still recruiting Keels? That post is from months ago. If we're actively recruiting anyone from 2021 then what we both said must be the plan. To clarify the second half of my post, if we are still recruiting Keels then I imagine he can commit to Uconn and not sign a scholarship offer until Bouk declares. Any student can "commit" to UConn and determine how they're going to pay in the Spring/Summer. If we're not recruiting Keels or anyone else for that matter then I'm guessing we won't find out until after the season.

 

[Waquoit]

Dont like that lineup at all.

Agree, I'm not sure that line-up has enough offense.

 

[ucp990411]

Dont like that lineup at all.

Please explain

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I’m not a huge fan of two PG’s
It worked in 1999. But it failed at other times . That’s not to say situationally It can’t work, In 2011 Calhoun would move Kemba there but that was to rest him without taking him off the floor. His mere presence was a confidence builder for that very young team.
Call me Old fashioned but give me a lights out shooter at the 2. Paired with a guy who can get everyone else good shoots, penetrate, finish, knock down an occasional three keeping the D honest.
I’d love to see Bouknight at the two
that opens up things for a crowed wing. I have the feeling he will shoot the three in 40% area. These are fun problems to have contrasted with some undermanned teams of the recent past.

 

[pj]

I like the two point guards, but I don't like Whaley and Carlton on the court at the same time - not sure I like Carlton on the court at all. Sanogo, Andre Jackson, Tyrese Martin if he's eligible, and Akok or Polley if healthy could all make their way into the starting lineup by midway through the season. Sanogo maybe from day 1. If Akok and Polley don't take the job, Richie Springs has a chance to start at the 4.

I don't feel I can predict lineups especially at start of season, but I can predict that Dan Hurley is going to have a lot of options.

 

[Chin Diesel]

It's either this lineup, or I really think Polley will start at the 4 if he's good to go. That's 4 out, good playmaking and ball handling, multiple scorers and shooters, great spacing, high octane, and Carlton in the post with legit post moves.

If Polley is ready and is showing in practice what he showed the last few games before his injury you can put him at the 4 and start Whaley at the 5.

I do believe Polley's ability to mix up and rebound and any improvement from Josh due to lost weight means who is starting is less essential than who is finishing.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Agree, I'm not sure that line-up has enough offense.

It is just about the offense, they have to play defense too.

Who do you see starting?

 

[superjohn]

An opening night lineup of Cole, Gaff, Bouk, Whaley and Carlton isn't hard to imagine.

Whaley and Carlton really shouldn't be on the court together. Unless there's drastic improvement from Carlton, it's going to be hard for him to get a ton of minutes.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Whaley and Carlton really shouldn't be on the court together. Unless there's drastic improvement from Carlton, it's going to be hard for him to get a ton of minutes.

I'm not convinced Whaley/Carlton are the 4/5 combo at the end of the season but I can see them starting it. Team needs some size and beef and those two are the surest bets under the basket right now.

I am curious to see what a slimmed down Josh can do. I also expect Whaley to have a nice face up game from 15'.

 

[ucp990411]

I’m not a huge fan of two PG’s
It worked in 1999. But it failed at other times . That’s not to say situationally It can’t work, In 2011 Calhoun would move Kemba there but that was to rest him without taking him off the floor. His mere presence was a confidence builder for that very young team.
Call me Old fashioned but give me a lights out shooter at the 2. Paired with a guy who can get everyone else good shoots, penetrate, finish, knock down an occasional three keeping the D honest.
I’d love to see Bouknight at the two
that opens up things for a crowed wing. I have the feeling he will shoot the three in 40% area. These are fun problems to have contrasted with some undermanned teams of the recent past.

Worked in 1990 with Smitty and George. Worked in 94 and 95 with KO and Doron. Worked in 99 with Ricky and Khalid. Worked in 02, 03 and 04 with Taliek and Ben. Worked in 11 with Kemba and Shabazz. Worked in 14 with Shabazz and Boatright.
In 06 there was a big problem with Williams and Rashard in the backcourt together. Rashard could shoot but did not have point guard skills.
Obviously I am a big fan of both guards having the point guard mentality. I think Cole and Gaffney should both start.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Whaley and Carlton really shouldn't be on the court together. Unless there's drastic improvement from Carlton, it's going to be hard for him to get a ton of minutes.

I'm confident Whaley can contribute facing up outside paint.

Not quite a 4 out, 1 in. More like a 3.5 out, 1.5 in offense.