RJ Cole Expectations

[businesslawyer]

So 2nd team All-Big East Sterling Gibbs and top 25 recruit Jalen Adams weren’t adequate at PG? Come on. IMO Shonn Miller was the default “go-to guy.” If we needed a bucket I’d go to him. But this team had plenty of scoring options. They just weren’t coached properly. We had Gibbs, Purvis, Hamilton, and Miller to distribute lead scoring duties.

Gibbs and Adams were both good basketball players. Neither was a pure point. And every team has someone who can take the last shot -- the question is how good they are. That you actually are comparing Miller to Hamilton, Okafor/Gordon, Kemba or Bazz is so ludicrous that Shonn Miller would be the first one to laugh at it.

That team could have had Calhoun or Wooden coaching it, and no one would have thought going into the season it had a chance to be an Elite 8 team.

 

[freescooter]

I'm glad we agree that Napier was adequate. If RJ is also adequate to lead a team to a championship, I'll be happy.

LOL. He was far more than adequate as you well know. But it has been a slow race since.

I love how some of you anoint players before they have played a single game for us. Who was the All-American who could score at will while being defended by a folding chair? Akok and Bouknight were potential 1-dones and Sid Wilson was going to turn the program around. Then there was the kid who was so good he even made SI but ended his career as a backup at Fairfield. Maybe Cole is as good as advertised but I’m going to wait and see before I anoint an undersized player from a low D1 program is the next Khalid.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

He is yet another short pg who played in the worst league in college hoops. I’m hoping he will be adequate, which honestly we haven’t had since Napier left.

I think Cole is going to transition well to the BE regardless of previous conference affiliation. He is a cerebral intelligent player (and kid) who should be able to slow the game down mentally better than others trying to transition to a power conference. This will turn out to be a key strength to help UConn win some of these close games. IMO

Sometimes a player just inherently aligns with a coach/program. I think that is what we have here. Nate Oats recruited Cole with the idea he would have an immediate long term impact in the Alabama rebuild. Cole was sought after for a reason. There are certain intangibles he brings to the table that basketball people can see. I think he will make winning plays that won't have UConn ranked #343 per Ken Pom in luck factor.

Some of your concerns in general are legit as it applies to these type of transfers. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with Cole if you remain objective.

Thank you.

 

[AJP12]

RJ Cole is going to be a massive upgrade over Gilbert. I compared their advanced stats; Cole from last year to Gilbert this year. Its not a perfect comp of course (different teams, opponents, etc). But it gives a good perspective. Keep in mind we have played a number of low-mid majors this year so the level of competition isnt that far off and Cole looked great in his few games against major programs. Here are the stats:

Cole is going to be a major major upgrade on offense. He is a far superior and more efficient scorer and shooter. He assists it more and turns it over less. His defense is really bad (awful), but that is a strength of the rest of our team so that should help make up for it. Gilbert is also just ok on D anyways, so I'd rather have a great offensive player who makes everyone else better, but is a bad defender than bad offensive player who is just an ok defender. My expectations are very high for Cole next year, but at a minimum I don't think its even possible for him to be downgrade from what we are currently getting.

Edit: Gilbert ranks 9th or 10th (out of 10) in every single one of these categories except assist rate. So he is below Whaley, Gaffney, or both in every one of these.

Takeaway: We are going to be much better next year.

 

[Chief00]

I'm not sure how this has anything to do with RJ Cole, but I'll chime in. Under Calhoun, 2016 is an E8 team at a minimum. Sterling Gibbs, Rodney Purvis, Jalen Adams, Omar Calhoun, Daniel Hamilton, Shonn Miller, Kentan Facey, Amida Brimah, Steven Enoch. Talent galore.

I think Hamilton leaving early really screwed things up for the team and actually himself. He did not like class but come on, there’s ways to mitigate that factor.

 

[mauconnfan]

Bet Cole doesn't miss 6 FTs. We are getting an upgrade at PG next year.

What else would you like to bet on with Cole? Here's some food for thought for all of those so sure we're going to be better because of the change of the guard. Looked at some stats for RJ vs higher ranked opponents at Howard, talent he will be expected to perform against the next 2 years. Granted he's a year older and more mature I certainly hope this helps because Im rooting for this guy, we need him. But nervous, here goes:

2017-18 vs GWU, Indiana, Zags, USF, GTown and UTEP he was 37% overall from the field and 39.5%from 3. The assists/TO ratio 29/14 not bad. His FT shooting is not an issue solid, won't miss 6 FTs you're correct there.

2018-19 vs UMass, So Illini, GWU, GTown, Harvard he was 35% overall from the field and 22.5% from 3. His ratio was 37/17.

Just saying he's a talented kid but he will need to improve against much higher competition as even some of these aren't very good compared to the Big East. Now we can't take completely away from the rest of his league as he was good and a prolific scorer. But when you see teams who can watch a film, make adjustments with kids who can guard we have to be careful to think he will be a savior. He can shoot it better than our PG now I have no doubts but he also will need people to talk the pressure off of him in order to get shots. We need more players who can shoot.

 

[ToolzieFan]

I think Hamilton leaving early really screwed things up for the team and actually himself. He did not like class but come on, there’s ways to mitigate that factor.

Ollie clearly made some mistakes after 2014. But if Hamilton stayed another year and Larrier and/or Gilbert stayed healthy in 16-17, I think the last few years would have turned out a lot different.

 

[mauconnfan]

Ollie clearly made some mistakes after 2014. But if Hamilton stayed another year and Larrier and/or Gilbert stayed healthy in 16-17, I think the last few years would have turned out a lot different.

Agree but not sure of the timing as to when he lost his passion to be better than he already was. Did the decline start on his work ethic? But with those things you point to happening they could’ve been pretty damn good.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Agree but not sure of the timing as to when he lost his passion to be better than he already was. Did the decline start on his work ethic? But with those things you point to happening they could’ve been pretty damn good.

I don’t know if those events working out differently would have fixed or covered up the underlying problems. I just think we wouldn’t have sunk so low.

 

[freescooter]

RJ Cole is going to be a massive upgrade over Gilbert. I compared their advanced stats; Cole from last year to Gilbert this year. Its not a perfect comp of course (different teams, opponents, etc). But it gives a good perspective. Keep in mind we have played a number of low-mid majors this year so the level of competition isnt that far off and Cole looked great in his few games against major programs. Here are the stats:

View attachment 50313

Cole is going to be a major major upgrade on offense. He is a far superior and more efficient scorer and shooter. He assists it more and turns it over less. His defense is really bad (awful), but that is a strength of the rest of our team so that should help make up for it. Gilbert is also just ok on D anyways, so I'd rather have a great offensive player who makes everyone else better, but is a bad defender than bad offensive player who is just an ok defender. My expectations are very high for Cole next year, but at a minimum I don't think its even possible for him to be downgrade from what we are currently getting.

Edit: Gilbert ranks 9th or 10th (out of 10) in every single one of these categories except assist rate. So he is below Whaley, Gaffney, or both in every one of these.

Takeaway: We are going to be much better next year.

Nice. But you are aware that 10 of the 12 teams in the MEAC were rated above 300 the others were 260 Norfolk St and 294. You think he might face modestly better defenses in the Big East? I do.

 

[HooperScooper]

Nice. But you are aware that 10 of the 12 teams in the MEAC were rated above 300 the others were 260 Norfolk St and 294. You think he might face modestly better defenses in the Big East? I do.

But at least his three point shooting will be good since three point shooting percentages are random and have nothing to do with the defense of the opposing teams. At least that's what I've been told.

 

[Jaker]

We should be looking for a solid grad transfer to help carry the load.

 

[Chief00]

I don’t know if those events working out differently would have fixed or covered up the underlying problems. I just think we wouldn’t have sunk so low.

Chief00 agrees it was a combination. The personal decline, in the long run, was accompanied by a personnel quality decline as other “priorities“ took away from recruiting time. Chief00 just thinks the Daniel Hamilton early departure, accelerated everything. For one thing, the absence of the lob pass to Brimah actually impacted all aspects of his game, since a lob pass dunk often got him going defensively.
#ChiefCertified

 

[HuskyBoi]

People don't realize what we are getting in Cole.
Cole is a smooth lefty shooter with the ability to drive to the hoop with contact.
Another season/offseason with coaching staff to improve his abilities will be excellent for furthering his development.
He reminds me of Markus Howard with the way his ability to 1v1 his defender when the offense is capitulating.
So excited for RJ to suit up for us next season.

 

[AJP12]

Nice. But you are aware that 10 of the 12 teams in the MEAC were rated above 300 the others were 260 Norfolk St and 294. You think he might face modestly better defenses in the Big East? I do.

Yeah I'm aware. That's why I made that disclaimer multiple times. Did you miss that part?

The point is we don't even need a savior. We just need somebody who is better than what we are currently getting at PG. Hell, Craig Austrie is a major upgrade from what we are currently getting. Do you think Cole can be as good as Craig Austrie? I do.

 

[Kitaman]

Courtesy of @tcf15

I hate mixtapes, but that's just me.

 

[JimHurley]

People don't realize what we are getting in Cole.
Cole is a smooth lefty shooter with the ability to drive to the hoop with contact.
Another season/offseason with coaching staff to improve his abilities will be excellent for furthering his development.
He reminds me of Markus Howard with the way his ability to 1v1 his defender when the offense is capitulating.
So excited for RJ to suit up for us next season.

THIS. People have no idea what’s in store. This is a guy who’s going to be a floor general, hit outside shots, and finish at the rim.

 

[HuskyBoi]

THIS. People have no idea what’s in store. This is a guy who’s going to be a floor general, hit outside shots, and finish at the rim.

R.J. Cole 2018-19 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN

The 2018-19 NCAAM season stats per game for R.J. Cole of the UConn Huskies on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

I don't think he's ever had a game where he wasn't in double figures.

 

[JimHurley]

R.J. Cole 2018-19 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN

The 2018-19 NCAAM season stats per game for R.J. Cole of the UConn Huskies on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

I don't think he's ever had a game where he wasn't in double figures.

And to reiterate that’s with opposing defenses putting their focus on him. That won’t happen here when you have guys like James Bouknight, Andre Jackson, Sid Wilson, Tyler Polley, and Akok Akok on the floor with you. He’s going to have more space than he ever had at Howard. My only concern is defense but I’m convinced a year under Hurley will at least make him a serviceable defender.

 

[gampelcrazies]

I hate mixtapes, but that's just me.

That’s not a mixtape. Those are highlights from when he was at Howard.