R.J. Cole, ‘a difference-maker’

[drayenob]

Dom Amore: R.J. Cole, ‘a difference-maker,’ will be leading UConn through trying times

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Scoring, distributing, guarding, serving as Hurley’s voice on the floor and perhaps the team’s off it, there will be a lot on Cole’s young shoulders. He gives every indication he’s ready for it. Ready for all of it.

“I’ve been thinking about the Big East since the season was over,” he says. “This is what you dream about as a kid, playing in The Garden, playing at Barclays. You dream of big games, and I feel like every game is going to be a big game in the Big East. … The fans are going to be watching somebody who’s going to get after it, offensively and defensively. All my teammates are going to be involved, and I’m going to be that team player, that point guard, that I hope to be.”

 

[jibsey]

He’s a huge key to the team’s success this year and it’s a tough job, but he’s been here a year and that puts him ahead of the curve. can’t wait to see him in action.

 

[uconngb]

Can't wait to see what he brings to the table. But dreaming of playing at Barclays?

 

[Dooooooomed]

Can't wait to see what he brings to the table. But dreaming of playing at Barclays?

NJ/NY kids wanna play in the big local venues.

 

[uconngb]

NJ/NY kids wanna play in the big local venues.

What Big East opponent plays at the Barclays???

 

[Waquoit]

It's going to be a real treat watching a team led by someone not looking to get theirs first.

 

[Huskybass]

It's going to be a real treat watching a team led by someone not looking to get theirs first.

How nice is it to say that about a guy who has already scored over 1,500 points in Division 1?

 

[RichCTBB]

Holy crap. I can't wait for the season. My basketballs are big and blue after the way the season ended I and need a release

 

[hansonel-amin]

What Big East opponent plays at the Barclays???

Not Big East, but Legends Classic is at Barclays November 23-24, 2020.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I sure hope we play the season. I even hope we have crowds.

 

[gtcam]

Looking forward to what this young man can bring to the court
Expectations and hopes are very high from many
Let's play ball!!!!

 

[UCLJ0211]

I sure hope we play the season. I even hope we have crowds.

Just like the NBA shutting down in March effectively led to the end of NCAA BB, I’m hoping that the NBA’s decision to return next month paves the way for college b-ball to resume this upcoming season.

 

[jibsey]

How nice is it to say that about a guy who has already scored over 1,500 points in Division 1?

Yeah, it's not like he can't put them on the board.

 

[Psolo12]

Not Big East, but Legends Classic is at Barclays November 23-24, 2020.

Anyone know if there will be fans allowed at this? I wana buy tickets but I'm hesitant

 

[tennmike]

How nice is it to say that about a guy who has already scored over 1,500 points in Division 1?

Cole, Gaffney, Jackson, all have expressed a desire to pass. Can we now finally say that hero ball is over in Storrs?

 

[uconngb]

Cole, Gaffney, Jackson, all have expressed a desire to pass. Can we now finally say that hero ball is over in Storrs?

Yeah, hero ball was tough to watch.......especially when we had no heroes!!

 

[BFieldHusky]

Good to see he got his body in shape for BE play.

 

[mauconnfan]

Yeah, hero ball was tough to watch.......especially when we had no heroes!!

Honestly dislike “hero ball” assumptions when it really wasn’t that at all. We just didn’t have anyone who could make a play when we needed to. And the one guy who could was a bit shy for the first half of the year so all of our so called playmakers were getting swallowed up. Honestly it all changed when Bouk allowed himself to be who he could be. He changed it all with his confidence and opened the floor. Even the guys who couldn’t be “heroes” suddenly were when the time came. No one ever wanted to be a hero per se they just wanted to win and try to make that play but it took changes by Dan Hurley and Bouk to change the mindset.

 

[metsfan2323]

Cole not being able to play in 2019-2020 sure ended up being a lucky break.

 

[mauconnfan]

Cole not being able to play in 2019-2020 sure ended up being a lucky break.

He didn’t even try and wanted to sit out but no matter I agree. This hopefully works out as good as it looks for 2 years.

 

[gtcam]

Yeah, hero ball was tough to watch.......especially when we had no heroes!!

OK - expected that
CV may not be a "hero" but then again that word is over used/misnomer in sports
He certainly was the glue during the start of the rebuild
Your assessment of Gaffney is good but let's wait on the others - especially with Jackson
Dan Hurley will demand sharing of the ball as a priority and hopefully that will translate into a more efficient half court offense

 

[RichZ]

“How willing he is to take very few dribbles to get to where he wants to get,” Dan Hurley says, “and how willing he is to give the ball up and keep it moving.”

Although it did get better the last half dozen games this season, the "stationary dribble at the perimeter offense" had gotten awfully tough to watch the last few years. Looking forward to never seeing it again.

 

[TheChamps990411]

I sure hope we play the season. I even hope we have crowds.

I truly believe by March we`ll have crowds again, maybe sooner. Im no expert nor do i have any inside information but i did stay at a holiday inn about two years ago so you can trust my word.

 

[Marat]

Not Big East, but Legends Classic is at Barclays November 23-24, 2020.

I bought tickets and was looking forward to attending but doubt fans will be allowed for this.

 

[McLovin]

 

[tentoes4rings]

Honestly dislike “hero ball” assumptions when it really wasn’t that at all. We just didn’t have anyone who could make a play when we needed to. And the one guy who could was a bit shy for the first half of the year so all of our so called playmakers were getting swallowed up. Honestly it all changed when Bouk allowed himself to be who he could be. He changed it all with his confidence and opened the floor. Even the guys who couldn’t be “heroes” suddenly were when the time came. No one ever wanted to be a hero per se they just wanted to win and try to make that play but it took changes by Dan Hurley and Bouk to change the mindset.

I don’t think he was talking about last season Mau or under Dan Hurley. Hero ball was the offense under the previous guy, whose favorite play was to throw it around behind the 3 pt line for 25 seconds and then have somebody hoist a last second heave. I think we saw good signs last year of an evolving offense that should improve significantly this year as well.

 

[Umami Zen]

IMO...Would be real happy if we could get a combined per game output of 20 pts/10 assists from the PG spot (RJ/JG) in 2020.. Less concerned about their open court and fast break efficiency..Where I think they excel.. More interested to see how efficient we can be in half court sets..grind-it-out games.. If guys can learn to get open without the ball (ala Rip)..Our PGs look like they can deliver a pass ..Got to get to their "spots"..

 

[mauconnfan]

I don’t think he was talking about last season Mau or under Dan Hurley. Hero ball was the offense under the previous guy, whose favorite play was to throw it around behind the 3 pt line for 25 seconds and then have somebody hoist a last second heave. I think we saw good signs last year of an evolving offense that should improve significantly this year as well.

Fair enough if not the timing but many posters aligned AG and CVs plays late in games over the last couple years as hero ball. Think it was related to the Hurley years. All good time to move on either way.

 

[glastonbury50]

Gaffney is going to push this guy to be that much better.

 

[jibsey]

Gaffney is going to push this guy to be that much better.

Isn't it great to have 2 point guards so talented? And then Bouknight right there.