RJ Cole Expectations

[CallMeBruce]

I think Cole is a much better distributor than Gibbs, who really wasn't a point guard. Gibbs was really a spot up shooter. Cole creates for others more and can go to the basket pretty well.

Gibbs was a good point guard at Seton Hall. He only struggled when he was playing in a broken offense.

 

[imno1]

I've never seen RJ play so I'm hoping Fred Vanvleet level game

 

[Huskybass]

Gibbs was a good point guard at Seton Hall. He only struggled when he was playing in a broken offense.

Cole averaged 6 assists his Freshman and Soph Years. Gibbs was much more of a scorer than a facilitator, averaging 4.2 and 3.8 assists and 16.3 points per game (his Junior season) at Seton Hall before coming to UConn. I stand by my statement that Gibbs was far more of a spot up shooter than a facilitator.

 

[Waterbury]

I've never seen RJ play so I'm hoping Fred Vanvleet level game

This is the kinda optimism we need on the boneyard. Every thread is doom and gloom. Cole is going to be nothing short of a stud PG who gives us 28 productive minutes per game. Book it.

 

[imno1]

This is the kinda optimism we need on the boneyard. Every thread is doom and gloom. Cole is going to be nothing short of a stud PG who gives us 28 productive minutes per game. Book it.

I always go the optimistic route until proven otherwise. Caveat: I was on the Ollie bandwagon longer than many

 

[Apollo]

Some info for you all. Gilbert is gone next year. Cole is solidified starting at point guard. Gaffney can push him all he wants, I know for a fact that he is starting next year. He is a really really good, and has been dominating practice. There is a reason Hurley was quoted saying, "We need RJ," there is a reason he was on Cliff's instagram post representing UConn. He's good, and we should expect good things.

Source?

 

[intlzncster]

He'll average 11 and 5 in 28 mins by the end of the season. He'll have to prove that he can hoop at this level. Big East isn't the conference he played in.

I'd signed up for that in an instant. I care most about turnovers and intelligently running the offense. And not getting bitched on D

 

[superjohn]

Source?

Himself aka Dan Hurley.

 

[businesslawyer]

Cole averaged 6 assists his Freshman and Soph Years. Gibbs was much more of a scorer than a facilitator, averaging 4.2 and 3.8 assists and 16.3 points per game (his Junior season) at Seton Hall before coming to UConn. I stand by my statement that Gibbs was far more of a spot up shooter than a facilitator.

Gibbs was a 1.5, a "second" point. Like Chris Smith next to Tate George. He was never a pure 1. That's not a knock -- just the way it is.

 

[Fatroony5]

Honestly I’m not expecting a lot. He was player of the year for a really low mid major. If he had t played for aDaddy Hurley I suspect he doesn’t get a return phone call. My guess is he is a depth player. 5-10 minutes/game to spell the starting point.

“He was the best player in New Jersey. We beat every post grad team in NJ all guys going to high majors, and he would go out and score 35, Being guarded by guys who were going to a higher level than he was, he would just torch them.” -Bob Hurley Sr.

Bob Hurley doesn’t just say stuff like that. I think projecting stats is kind of silly, but it’s clear we’re getting a guy whose not just going to play 5 minutes a game. He was recruited to play significant minutes at the point. Who knows what that translates into stats wise, but we’re getting a guy who has a High Basketball IQ and who will put players in position to succeed. It’s something UConn guards have lacked For way too long now. It helps explain 3 losing seasons in a row.

 

[Rico444]

“He was the best player in New Jersey. We beat every post grad team in NJ all guys going to high majors, and he would go out and score 35, Being guarded by guys who were going to a higher level than he was, he would just torch them.” -Bob Hurley Sr.

Bob Hurley doesn’t just say stuff like that. I think projecting stats is kind of silly, but it’s clear we’re getting a guy whose not just going to play 5 minutes a game. He was recruited to play significant minutes at the point. Who knows what that translates into stats wise, but we’re getting a guy who has a High Basketball IQ and who will put players in position to succeed. It’s something UConn guards have lacked For way too long now. It helps explain 3 losing seasons in a row.

I wouldn't take his post too seriously. I'd be willing to bet if you asked for his opinion of Gilbert or Gaffney he wouldn't have a very high opinion of them either, but someone they're both much better than Cole who would only earn "5-10 minutes/game."

 

[BFieldHusky]

Source?

@HanDurley has good info. Trust his source.

 

[Huskybass]

Gibbs was a 1.5, a "second" point. Like Chris Smith next to Tate George. He was never a pure 1. That's not a knock -- just the way it is.

But Ollie tried to cram him into the point guard spot, and it didn't work. Daniel Hamilton became the point forward by default.

 

[businesslawyer]

But Ollie tried to cram him into the point guard spot, and it didn't work. Daniel Hamilton became the point forward by default.

will this KO stuff never stop. He tried to "cram him" into the point? He didn't have another point. The only other option he had was freshman Jalen Adams, who was also a combo guard and it's not like Gibbs and Adams didn't spend a bunch of time on the court together sharing the duties, as we basically went with the two of them and Purvis in a 3-man, 2-position rotation. And Daniel Hamilton was a point forward because that is who he was. He was a point forward the year before when we didn't have Gibbs also.

I beg some of you -- we know you think KO is the worst thing since the AIDS virus, but could we please stop trying to fit every evaluation of everybody into that one lens? He's been gone for almost 2 years now. I don't even care if you get over it -- just stop forcing it into everything.

 

[HuskyHawk]

But Ollie tried to cram him into the point guard spot, and it didn't work. Daniel Hamilton became the point forward by default.

Honestly, KO was able to attract one of the best players in the Big East in a year when we didn't have a PG. That was a freaking amazing get to be honest. As BL says, he's a combo, like Smith or frankly Boatright. Hamilton became point forward because he was great at it. Does Golden State really have a point guard? Both Durant and Draymond Green had more assists than Curry last year.

I fully expect and hope that Andre Jackson plays some point forward for us next year. I think Hurley is counting on it.

 

[Excalibur]

will this KO stuff never stop. He tried to "cram him" into the point? He didn't have another point. The only other option he had was freshman Jalen Adams, who was also a combo guard and it's not like Gibbs and Adams didn't spend a bunch of time on the court together sharing the duties, as we basically went with the two of them and Purvis in a 3-man, 2-position rotation. And Daniel Hamilton was a point forward because that is who he was. He was a point forward the year before when we didn't have Gibbs also.

I beg some of you -- we know you think KO is the worst thing since the AIDS virus, but could we please stop trying to fit every evaluation of everybody into that one lens? He's been gone for almost 2 years now. I don't even care if you get over it -- just stop forcing it into everything.

I think the 2016 team majorly underperformed its talent level, but that’s not really relevant to the discussion here.

 

[Huskybass]

I think the 2016 team majorly underperformed it’s talent level, but that’s not really relevant to the discussion here.

The 2016 team underperformed in a major way. A big part of that was the fact that we didn't really have a point guard and in my mind that is simply terrible roster construction.

 

[Huskybass]

Honestly, KO was able to attract one of the best players in the Big East in a year when we didn't have a PG. That was a freaking amazing get to be honest. As BL says, he's a combo, like Smith or frankly Boatright. Hamilton became point forward because he was great at it. Does Golden State really have a point guard? Both Durant and Draymond Green had more assists than Curry last year.

I fully expect and hope that Andre Jackson plays some point forward for us next year. I think Hurley is counting on it.

There should have never been "a year where we didn't have a point guard". That is simply terrible roster construction. Getting Sterling Gibbs was good, relying as on him as our primary point guard didn't work out all that well though.

 

[Apollo]

Himself aka Dan Hurley.

He said that? I must’ve missed it. Good to know!

 

[bazz&boujee]

I think the 2016 team majorly underperformed it’s talent level, but that’s not really relevant to the discussion here.

they underperformed but i’d literally do anything for a road win at a good texas team, a conference tournament championship and a NCAA tournament win right about now.

 

[Lefty2one]

Probably 10/3/2 with shooting % in the low 40s. I hope he can up his percentages since he'll be shooting at a lower volume. Really I just want another consistent 3PT threat on the floor who shows good shot selection.

 

[Chin Diesel]

So long as he has a high bb iq, I will be overjoyed.

This. A floor general who makes his teammates better (Or at least the best they can be). Some outside shooting and ability to shoot layups without falling down are gravy.

 

[Huskybass]

will this KO stuff never stop. He tried to "cram him" into the point? He didn't have another point. The only other option he had was freshman Jalen Adams, who was also a combo guard and it's not like Gibbs and Adams didn't spend a bunch of time on the court together sharing the duties, as we basically went with the two of them and Purvis in a 3-man, 2-position rotation. And Daniel Hamilton was a point forward because that is who he was. He was a point forward the year before when we didn't have Gibbs also.

I beg some of you -- we know you think KO is the worst thing since the AIDS virus, but could we please stop trying to fit every evaluation of everybody into that one lens? He's been gone for almost 2 years now. I don't even care if you get over it -- just stop forcing it into everything.

Coming off of a National Championship in 2014, we should have had a true point guard through normal recruiting. Instead we got a grad transfer who was better suited playing off the ball as a spot up shooter. I had season tickets that year and went to almost every home game and it was clear that Daniel Hamilton was more of a point guard than anyone else on the roster, including Gibbs.

 

[businesslawyer]

There should have never been "a year where we didn't have a point guard". That is simply terrible roster construction. Getting Sterling Gibbs was good, relying as on him as our primary point guard didn't work out all that well though.

God, stop it already. So we won our conference championship and made the last 32 of the NCAAs, with a team by your own words you said majorly underperformed its talent. So by your own words, read in context with facts, the construction of the team couldn't have been that bad, since we already won the conference and one more tourney win would have taken us into the Sweet 16.

So which is it? Was KO incompetent developing the team or was the roster inadequate? Because given the results on the floor, it can't with any intellectual honest whatsoever be both. (I know, I know, you're going for anger and superiority, not intellectual honesty.)

 

[navery12]

God, stop it already. So we won our conference championship and made the last 32 of the NCAAs, with a team by your own words you said majorly outperformed its talent. So by your own words, read in context with facts, the construction of the team couldn't have been that bad, since we already won the conference and one more tourney win would have taken us into the Sweet 16.

So which is it? Was KO incompetent developing the team or was the roster inadequate? Because given the results on the floor, it can't with any intellectual honest whatsoever be both. (I know, I know, you're going for anger and superiority, not intellectual honesty.)

Read closer, he said they majorly underperformed not outperformed

 

[Com'rGordon]

10-4-2 45% shooting, 33% 3pt

 

[businesslawyer]

Read closer, he said they majorly underperformed not outperformed

Sorry. It's fixed. I obviously read it correctly -- hence, my point. My typing, however, is another matter entirely.

 

[Huskybass]

God, stop it already. So we won our conference championship and made the last 32 of the NCAAs, with a team by your own words you said majorly underperformed its talent. So by your own words, read in context with facts, the construction of the team couldn't have been that bad, since we already won the conference and one more tourney win would have taken us into the Sweet 16.

So which is it? Was KO incompetent developing the team or was the roster inadequate? Because given the results on the floor, it can't with any intellectual honest whatsoever be both. (I know, I know, you're going for anger and superiority, not intellectual honesty.)

That team had a lot of talent ( Hamilton, Adams, Facey, Gibbs, Brimah, Shonn Miller, Purvis and Omar Calhoun), and underperformed finishing 6th in the AAC. That shouldn't be hard to understand. With a true point guard the regular season record would have been better and UConn would have gotten a better seed in the tournament and wouldn't have had such a tough game in the second round of the NCAATournament, in which they got thumped by a very good Kansas team. I maintain there was plenty of talent on that roster but it wasn't constructed properly as there was not another good facilitator to go along with Daniel Hamilton.

I am not angry, I am simply stating the truth. Honestly, it looks like you're the one who's angry.

Back to the original thread, it will be nice to have two point guards in Cole and Gaffney next year and I think we will do very well as a result.

 

[JB75]

Boneyard all over the place with Gaffney. I'm one who believes Gaffney will be a good player for us as early as next year. Got off to a slow start missing practice and just can't quite catch up. I like the kid and want to believe in him. Some seem to be giving up on a kid who has only played in about 12 games.

Not giving up. I understand he’s a freshman but let’s be honest , I thought he’d be showing me at least a little something by now. If people ARENT disappointed in his play this year so far , that’s crazy, I expected at least a little bit more from him - he really hasn’t show me anything, Especially since he’s gotten more playing time than he would’ve got with Gilbert having such a rough year

 

[freescooter]

I don't have very high expectations immediately but you're logic is stupid. Like breathtaking stupidity. Anyways, you think Danny just threw RJ a bone because his dad coached him? More like the exact opposite situation. Danny wouldn't have offered unless the intel was great.

No he will need some back court guys next year. His 2 starters are gone and so far he hasn’t landed a true point guard. Plus it isn’t the First of daddy’s guys he brought in. The last one was “the best player in New Jersey” too. It’s fine but does anybody actually believe a guy was so incredible that nobody, not Seton Hall, no Rutgers, not Temple, not UConn, not St Joes, not Fairfield or Manhattan, or Central Connecticut or Robert Morris...nobody in the entire country saw his talent and he landed in a league that is ranked lower than any of the ones those schools are in. Only Hurley Sr saw it? Is he better than most MEAC players? Sure. High Major level? I am skeptical.