RJ Cole expectations?

[Huskyforlife]

Yes, and as I’ve stated several times in the past that 39% was when opposing defenses keyed in on him. He’ll be operating with much more space here which is why I confidently say he’ll shoot 40% from 3.

How do you factor in the huge difference in the level of competition?

 

[Huskybass]

How do you factor in the huge difference in the level of competition?

He put up 28 and 6 against Georgetown. Isn't that the level of competition he will be facing?

 

[Huskyforlife]

He put up 28 and 6 against Georgetown. Isn't that the level of competition he will be facing?

So he's averaging 28 and 6? That's the smallest possible sample.

 

[Huskybass]

So he's averaging 28 and 6? That's the smallest possible sample.

I never said he would average that, but he is certainly capable of performing well against good competition.

 

[JimHurley]

How do you factor in the huge difference in the level of competition?

I don’t think it will be nearly as big an adjustment as many want to believe. Yes he will be playing better players on offense and defense. But again, at Howard he was constantly double teamed and opposing defenses put all their focus on him. He STILL put up those points and 3pt%. When he’s on the court with players like Bouk, Gaff, Jackson, Polley and Whaley all of the attention won’t be on him. If it is, he’ll drop 8 dimes finding the open man. If it’s not, he’ll take advantage of the increase in space to work with.

 

[JB75]

Mine is always around 85!! Let me take the first crack: Bouk (18), Cole (15), Whaley (8), Gaffney (7), Polley (6), Jackson (6), Adams (6), Carlton (5), Springs (4), Wilson (4), Javonte (2).

Not bad only 81!!

Cole too high , maybe 12-13 a game, gaff too high 5-6 a game, polley cud be a bit higher , Wilson too high, Carlton shud be 7-8, everything else looks good lol

 

[UconnU]

Would you rather have 13 and 3 or 7 and 5?

He’s going to be higher than that. He’s in a much better guard friendly offense, I honestly see him as a 14 and 7 kid.

 

[joober jones]

Better than Marcus Thomas, not as good as Marcus Williams. I can't be wrong.

 

[UconnFanDC]

I'm looking forward to see what he brings. No more waiting for ferraris.

 

[mauconnfan]

I'm looking forward to see what he brings. No more waiting for ferraris.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

10 or 12 ppg 2 or 3 apg. Will he or Gaff run point?

 

[navery12]

Would you rather have 13 and 3 or 7 and 5?

13 and 3. That means he's responsible for around 19 points compared to 17 if it's 7 and 5

 

[freescooter]

You guys are unbelievable. We have a starting point guard. He is big and looks to be at worst a solid player. Cole played in the lowest level D1 league in the country. Those guys are rarely stars at higher levels. And he played well against Georgetown. Great. You do understand that guys occasionally have good games against superior opponents. But that there is a huge difference between playing well against Georgetown in November then playing Delaware State and Florida A&M and playing Georgetown then Villanova then Marquette. The difference in size, speed and skill on an every day basis will be staggering. BTW Georgetown had huge leads in both games agaist Howard With Cole. He played the whole game practically. You think maybe his numbers were helped when Georgetown stopped playing tough d up by 20 or so?

My guess is he will be a useful piece off the bench spelling Gaffney. But in any case he isn’t getting 5 assists and 13 points.

 

[Huskybass]

You guys are unbelievable. We have a starting point guard. He is big and looks to be at worst a solid player. Cole played in the lowest level D1 league in the country. Those guys are rarely stars at higher levels. And he played well against Georgetown. Great. You do understand that guys occasionally have good games against superior opponents. But that there is a huge difference between playing well against Georgetown in November then playing Delaware State and Florida A&M and playing Georgetown then Villanova then Marquette. The difference in size, speed and skill on an every day basis will be staggering. BTW Georgetown had huge leads in both games agaist Howard With Cole. He played the whole game practically. You think maybe his numbers were helped when Georgetown stopped playing tough d up by 20 or so?

My guess is he will be a useful piece off the bench spelling Gaffney. But in any case he isn’t getting 5 assists and 13 points.

So Hurley recruited Cole to UConn knowing Cole would have to sit a year and tie up one of 12 scholarships, so that we can have an adequate backup point guard the following season? Makes perfect sense. Thanks for clearing that up.

Let's revisit this a year from today.

 

[Brochacho]

Wasn't there a tweet that said last year all grad transfers averaging double figures that transferred up failed to do so on their new team? RJ Cole isn't a grad transfer of course, it just demonstrates the leap he is taking.

I'm still setting my expectations at a slightly more efficient Tarin Smith with a better 3 point shot. So something like 9/3/3.

 

[freescooter]

He is a small low mid major point guard. Hurley likes big guards. I have no idea why he landed the kid. He will be fine in a backup role. There are people here expecting him to be better than Napier, better than AJ Price. Please

 

[JimHurley]

You guys are unbelievable. We have a starting point guard. He is big and looks to be at worst a solid player. Cole played in the lowest level D1 league in the country. Those guys are rarely stars at higher levels. And he played well against Georgetown. Great. You do understand that guys occasionally have good games against superior opponents. But that there is a huge difference between playing well against Georgetown in November then playing Delaware State and Florida A&M and playing Georgetown then Villanova then Marquette. The difference in size, speed and skill on an every day basis will be staggering. BTW Georgetown had huge leads in both games agaist Howard With Cole. He played the whole game practically. You think maybe his numbers were helped when Georgetown stopped playing tough d up by 20 or so?

My guess is he will be a useful piece off the bench spelling Gaffney. But in any case he isn’t getting 5 assists and 13 points.

Goodness gracious, some of you are shocking me. I hate to keep carrying on about this but this argument is just ridiculous. Prepare to be amazed, that’s all I’ll say.

 

[Huskybass]

Goodness gracious, some of you are shocking me. I hate to keep carrying on about this but this argument is just ridiculous. Prepare to be amazed, that’s all I’ll say.

Coach Hurley knew what he was getting with Cole far more than some Boneyard pessimist. I, for one, am greatly looking forward to seeing him in a UConn uniform, especially when he is surrounded by guys like Bouk, Jackson, Gaffney, Polley, and Whaley.

 

[JimHurley]

Coach Hurley knew what he was getting with Cole far more than some Boneyard pessimist. I, for one, am greatly looking forward to seeing him in a UConn uniform, especially when he is surrounded by guys like Bouk, Jackson, Gaffney, Polley, and Whaley.

My point exactly. Hurley knows this program needs to get championship level talent. He wouldn’t have recruited RJ if he didn’t think he was that. He’ll have more space and will be playing with better players here. His usage won’t be the same here as Howard but his efficiency will greatly improve.

 

[husky429]

I do not know if he will average 13 and 5.

I do know Dan Hurley and the staff are not idiots. They wouldn't have held a scholly for a year for a player who isn't talented.

At minimum, I'd expect a decent floor general and leader, with good 3 pt shoting.

9.5/2/3.5 42% from field field. 38% from 3. But improves as the season goes on. Starts over Gaffney all year.

 

[mauconnfan]

You guys are unbelievable. We have a starting point guard. He is big and looks to be at worst a solid player. Cole played in the lowest level D1 league in the country. Those guys are rarely stars at higher levels. And he played well against Georgetown. Great. You do understand that guys occasionally have good games against superior opponents. But that there is a huge difference between playing well against Georgetown in November then playing Delaware State and Florida A&M and playing Georgetown then Villanova then Marquette. The difference in size, speed and skill on an every day basis will be staggering. BTW Georgetown had huge leads in both games agaist Howard With Cole. He played the whole game practically. You think maybe his numbers were helped when Georgetown stopped playing tough d up by 20 or so?

My guess is he will be a useful piece off the bench spelling Gaffney. But in any case he isn’t getting 5 assists and 13 points.

Well if Gaffney isn’t a lot better Next year and Cole can’t start ahead of him or at least with him we will be closer to the cellar than the top in our first year. Unless we get a special transfer of sorts we won’t have a backcourt to hold their own consistently.

Different views from many but hope everyone is right!

 

[ucp990411]

Goodness gracious, some of you are shocking me. I hate to keep carrying on about this but this argument is just ridiculous. Prepare to be amazed, that’s all I’ll say.

Have you seen him play?

 

[fatlucy]

Those thinking Cole will average 5-6 assists...what's that going to mean for Gaffney?

5 APG isn't that common in college hoops. Based on our history, if Cole averages that many assists it means he's going to be by far the most ball-dominant player on the team.

Since Marcus Williams--the best passer we've ever had--left 15 years ago, these are the only seasons where someone has averaged 5+ APG.

6.1 Jalen 2017
5.8 Bazz 2012
5.8 AJ 2008
5.1 Kemba 2010

everyone one of them was the primary scoring guard. Cole should be #2 which should free him up for facilitating.

 

[fatlucy]

I don’t think it will be nearly as big an adjustment as many want to believe. Yes he will be playing better players on offense and defense. But again, at Howard he was constantly double teamed and opposing defenses put all their focus on him. He STILL put up those points and 3pt%. When he’s on the court with players like Bouk, Gaff, Jackson, Polley and Whaley all of the attention won’t be on him. If it is, he’ll drop 8 dimes finding the open man. If it’s not, he’ll take advantage of the increase in space to work with.

And he was a freshman..... now he’ll be two more years developed and coached.

 

[glastonbury50]

Not looking for him to "put up" certain numbers. Looking for him to be a good fit on our team and someone who can be depended upon in a multitude of situations. If he ends up playing in front of Gaffney (which it seems like he might) I hope he is a good role model for the younger kid and that Gaff can learn a thing or two from him.