RJ Cole looks much more settled and confident | Page 2 | The Boneyard

RJ Cole looks much more settled and confident

tentoes4rings said:
100%. That’s what Andre needs to do to get to the next step now. He’s 100 mph of unbridled energy at all times, which provides a lot of great things but also some bad fouls and shots. Once he develops his shot more and learns how to slow down a bit, he’ll be an absolute monster.
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If that kid develops a consistent jump shot he will be one of the best players in the country. Im hoping he develops because hes very talented.
 
Cole has figured it out. Definitely agree with the idea that he just needed some time to work the rust off and get used to Big East play in comparison to the MEAC (or whatever conference he played in prior)
 
TheChamps990411 said:
I know there are people here that are worried about Bouk leaving but i really believe we are going to be really, really good next year. Im very comfortable with a backcourt of Cole/Gaffney to start next season with two really talented freshmen backing them up. Our frontcourt should be deep and among the best if not the best in the conference.
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So many lineup options next year with cole, gaff, hawkins in the backcourt along with jackson and martin, who can play anywhere 2-4
 
TheChamps990411 said:
I know there are people here that are worried about Bouk leaving but i really believe we are going to be really, really good next year. Im very comfortable with a backcourt of Cole/Gaffney to start next season with two really talented freshmen backing them up. Our frontcourt should be deep and among the best if not the best in the conference.
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Agreed wholeheartedly.. with a healthy akok and Samson gettin eased in
 
imno1 said:
RJ never looks tired yet he plays so hard. This UConn BB. Play your best ball at the end of the season.
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It does feel a bit reminiscent of our our past in that way.

And it's not a one time thing with Hurley, either: last year they were peaking this time of year and it really felt like they had a chance in the AAC tournament, and if it weren't for the Jalen Adams injuries two years ago they were figuring it out too.
 
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TheChamps990411 said:
I tried to tell people. Believe me i got a little frustrated with him at times but i kept the faith. Dudes a stud.
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It's taken him a little time to adjust to the speed, and he has his weaknesses. You don't want him to be your number one player. But as a lead guard who can control pace, defend, and hit shots? He seems like he's hitting his stride.
 
A lot of people like him with the caveat that he would play under control. He's doing that now. I love how he probes the defense, but is constantly looking to attack whether it's looking for a lane to drive or pass. I love Gaff, but he needs to develop that little midrange jumper that Cole has.

I love Jackson, and I've called on him to shoot more, but I want it as a spot up shooter or at the rim. Don't want to see him dribbling around and shooting quite yet. The team (like all of them) is much better passing the ball around.
Also, RJ's emergence will help keep Bouk rested and more likely to keep him healthy and from taking too much abuse trying to bail the offense out.
 
Spaceman213J said:
A lot of people like him with the caveat that he would play under control. He's doing that now.
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I think that was just him trying to adjust to this level of bball. I mean every player gets a little out of control at times but i believe it wont be an issure going forward with him especially as he gets more and more comfortable and confident.
 
He seems to have figured out how to be effective at this level. Earlier on he was over-penetrating into the trees and getting stuffed or turning it over. He lacks the quickness to blow by his defender but he's employing that move where he gets half a step on his guy and keeps him on the back of his hip. He then gets into the paint and forces the bigs to decide whether to help or lay back and RJ either dishes are takes a floater depending on the defensive reaction.
 
Either the start of the week or last week there was a post who might be the leader in this team. Looks like Cole has stepped up to that title...so far.
 
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HooperScooper said:
Carton was 0-9 from the field with 3 turnovers. Only had 3 assists.
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This is a good time for me to ask a question as a casual hoops fan.

How is the +/- calculated for a player after the game? I've got a 6.5 yr UConn Bachelor's degree so I know plus is better than negative. But that would literally be my opening statement if I had to write a paper on the topic.
 
crazyUCfan23 said:
Cole has figured it out. Definitely agree with the idea that he just needed some time to work the rust off and get used to Big East play in comparison to the MEAC (or whatever conference he played in prior)
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Been mentioned several times in different threads. That 12-15 foot pull up jumper is lethal. When people talk about the mid range game going away offensively it also has the effect of defenders not knowing how to guard the mid range.

Defenders now go all out to cover the 3 and, if necessary sprint to the rim to try and recover. Defensive rotations are built on having the help take and angle to the rim as well. A good head fake or hedge gets you by the defender on the perimeter and the mid range jump shot is gone before they can recover or defense can rotate.
 
navery12 said:
His defense on the star PGs in the Big East doesn't get talked about nearly enough, he's shut down everyone outside of Gillespie who is just a nightmare matchup for him
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While his recent offense is a very welcome improvement, his defense has vastly exceeded what we were lead to expect. I have to think that he worked his tail off on the defensive end while off the last year. Kudos to him for that. It has been really terrific.
 
tentoes4rings said:
100%. That’s what Andre needs to do to get to the next step now. He’s 100 mph of unbridled energy at all times, which provides a lot of great things but also some bad fouls and shots. Once he develops his shot more and learns how to slow down a bit, he’ll be an absolute monster.
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I watch him and have this sense that the other team is afraid of him. Like they know the only thing that can stop him is himself.
 
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HuskyHawk said:
I watch him and have this sense that the other team is afraid of him. Like they know the only thing that can stop him is himself.
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He’s a physical freak. I think when he gets it all together, he has the potential to be the best all around player we’ve ever had. Watching him feels like watching Secratariat in The Belmont Stakes, just leaps and bounds more athletic than anyone else on the court, including Bouk.
 
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All these posts and not a single nod to Coach for a) recruiting him and b) getting his head straight over the course of the year where he's the 1b to Bouk's 1a headed into the stretch.

Any struggles or slumps we've had this season are due to Bouk being hurt and COVID stretches early on. Everything else is aces as far as I'm concerned.
 
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tentoes4rings said:
Sorry man, I sense you’re too young to know what that is. The old guys like me will remember. Wasn’t meant offensively by any means.
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LOL it’s all good O.G. I’m 32 so I am probably a lil too young but tell me
 
Chin Diesel said:
Been mentioned several times in different threads. That 12-15 foot pull up jumper is lethal. When people talk about the mid range game going away offensively it also has the effect of defenders not knowing how to guard the mid range.

Defenders now go all out to cover the 3 and, if necessary sprint to the rim to try and recover. Defensive rotations are built on having the help take and angle to the rim as well. A good head fake or hedge gets you by the defender on the perimeter and the mid range jump shot is gone before they can recover or defense can rotate.
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Agree fully. He’s been killer in the mid range, especially off that double-screen curl 18-footer at the top of the key following his inbounds pass. Bouk was killer midrange today too when the 3s weren’t falling.

Reminds me of AJ Price never missing his quick 16-foot pull-up jumpers and wishing he’d just go off for 25 a game doing it repeatedly. It was more or less unguardable.
 
navery12 said:
His defense on the star PGs in the Big East doesn't get talked about nearly enough, he's shut down everyone outside of Gillespie who is just a nightmare matchup for him
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I pray for a different set of refs in the Big East chip v. Villanova. Someone that will recognize the Baby shaq back down of Gillispie's is an illegal act. Guaranteed if that were Martin doing the same, half of his attempts would be whistled a foul. Outside of Shaq, I can't recall anyone utilizing that tactic more than Gillispie. And believe me, I know all the Nova players do it and have done so historically, but not to the degree Gillispie does.
 
formerlurker said:
How is the +/- calculated for a player after the game? I've got a 6.5 yr UConn Bachelor's degree so I know plus is better than negative. But that would literally be my opening statement if I had to write a paper on the topic.
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How much did the score change while a given player was in the game. If a team wins by 5 and a player never sat he would be +5. Or if he's a sub and comes in with the team down 10 and he sits again with the team down 5 he would be a +5 for that shift. Add all the shifts together for the +/- for the game.

The concept comes from hockey where it's a lot easier to track.
 
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