RJ Cole not returning

[aburks41]

So basically, it is impossible for layers to improve?

Well, one of those two has shown that he cannot improve, and the other is a huge question mark who may end up being really good or just a role player. Hurley doesn't have the luxury to wait and find out

 

[HuskyHawk]

Impossible? No. Unlikely they’ll improve enough to sufficiently replace rj Cole? Yes.

Bah. That’s what people said about Bouknight. It’s not about Diggins stepping up to be Cole. It’s about getting vastly more from Hawkins and Johnson (perhaps Akok), some from Diggins some from Floyd, some from Karaban. I do agree we need a transfer guard. But guys can step up.

 

[KingAG]

If we don’t reach out to Hill now what are we doing

 

[KingAG]

Bah. That’s what people said about Bouknight. It’s not about Diggins stepping up to be Cole. It’s about getting vastly more from Hawkins and Johnson (perhaps Akok), some from Diggins some from Floyd, some from Karaban. I do agree we need a transfer guard. But guys can step up.

Pg position is different in my opinion.

 

[Hi-Low]

Cole's main replacement can't be on the current roster. Sool, Ajax and even Gaff can have ball handling roles next season but none can make that big a leap by Nov and be the lead PG.

 

[Fatroony5]

Bah. That’s what people said about Bouknight. It’s not about Diggins stepping up to be Cole. It’s about getting vastly more from Hawkins and Johnson (perhaps Akok), some from Diggins some from Floyd, some from Karaban. I do agree we need a transfer guard. But guys can step up.

What people were saying that about Bouknight? He was being projected as an All Big East caliber player heading into his sophomore season.

 

[HuskyHawk]

This is interesting

 

[aburks41]

This is interesting

That ends all chances of him reconsidering. I hope he wins some $$

 

[HuskyHawk]

What people were saying that about Bouknight? He was being projected as an All Big East caliber player heading into his sophomore season.

 

[husky99]

Best of luck.. backbone of this team.

 

[Fishy]

Andre Curbelo and find a shooting coach for him (Mark Price)

There aren’t enough shooting coaches on the planet to fix that.

 

[Dove]

The time has come for Diggins. Let's get excited to watch him grow.

 

[Valleyfan]

Thanks to RJ for all his heart, hustle and clutch play. Glad he got to fulfill his dream of playing for the Huskies. He was a warrior for us!

 

[2Infinity]

Thanks for the memories R.J.! We'll miss the leadership and clutch play you brought to so many of our games! We were so fortunate to have you be such a huge part of our program these last couple seasons! Best of luck as you continue pursuing your dreams at the next level!

 

[CL82]

Well, I wish RJ all the luck in the world. Is a terrific kid who gave us his all every time he stepped on the floor. I have to say, I got a little bit of the feels reading his statement. He’s a true believer, a kid who really “bleeds blue.“ I’ll miss him.

 

[dogpause]

Thank you RJ, it's been a pleasure watching you play.

 

[UncleSpliff]

I can’t believe people here are even entertaining the thought of Curbelo…. He makes AJ look like Ray Allen. Imagine a starting lineup of Curbelo and Jackson? Opposing teams could triple Sanogo all game without a worry in the world.

 

[UCDaveD]

You must’ve missed the part about hiring a shooting coach..

It’s that easy? Wonder why no one thought of getting Ben Simmons a shootout coach?!

 

[Umami Zen]

Classy young man that will be successful in life. Was our glue guy this year. Spoke with his actions-Not his words.

Wish him well in his future endeavors.

 

[Huskybass]

Thank you RJ for your leadership, toughness, scoring, distributing, and amazing ability to draw charges. I hope your NBA dream comes true, or at a minimum you play somewhere enjoyable that also pays well.

 

[NotADime89]

I doubt Diggins is going to be in the rotation. He couldn't even beat out Gaffney in practice.

The starting five will likely be
Sanogo
Karaban
Jackson
Hawkins
Transfer PG

The bench
Clingan
Floyd Jr.
Transfer F
Johnson

Akok
Gaffney
Diggins
Springs

Diggins will play significant minutes he won't be that far down on the depth chart.

 

[Edward Sargent]

This is interesting

Who is on his team

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Thank you RJ for everything you gave in living your dream as a UConn MBB player. You'll be missed and I wish you amazing success in your next career steps.


As an aside, in true BY fashion, a thread that should be chock-full of well-wishes and good thoughts/memories for an absolutely great kid is polluted by all the usual suspects worrywarting, chicken-little-ing, somehow thinking Hurley and Co. need instructions on hitting the transfer portal, and just generally being pessimistic blowhards.

 

[NotADime89]

This is interesting

Cole schedule for 3v3 Tournament and where to watch
Friday, April 1
12pm ET vs American / C-USA (ESPNU)
1:40pm ET vs Ivy / Patriot (ESPNU)
3:05pm ET vs America East / MAAC (Twitter (@3X3UHoops))

Saturday, April 2
6:50am ET vs American / C-USA (Twitter (@3X3UHoops))
7:50am ET vs Ivy / Patriot (Twitter (@3X3UHoops))
9:30am ET vs America East / MAAC (Twitter (@3X3UHoops))

Sunday, April 3
Schedule for elimination round will depend on Friday/Saturday win/loss record

Semi's and Championship Starting at 1:30ET on ESPN 2

 

[UCTitleTown]

Need a transfer PG now.

Illinois guard?

 

[QDOG5]

RJ Cole was the best player on the team the last two years. He played his heart out every game. Thanks, RJ. Living in the Chicago area I've seen 20+ Andre Curbelo games. He is a guy that makes some unbelievable plays, especially passing. He also turns the ball over a lot and can't shoot. He had some injury issues this year and it seemed like he regressed. His minutes were down and Underwood benched him for most of the Houston game. When he went to the bench in the Houston game every Illini fan knew it was his last game the team. His line vs Houston was 10 mins, 0-4, 0-2 3pts., 1 asst., 2 TOs. Hard pass for UConn.

 

[Ports21]

I'd be fine with Curbelo as a reserve, but not running the show. Ideally Gaffney can portal out and we can add 2 new guards. Diggins deserves a shot, but no way we can go into next year with what we have now.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Who is on his team

Tyrese it seems.

 

[elmcityboy]

Tyrese it seems.

anybody else weirdly excited to watch this now, haha?

 

[Dove]

The time has come for Diggins. Let's get excited to watch him grow.

Shut up, Dove.