Cole’s Excellence Will Drive Huskies
The Story: A second season with R.J. Cole running the point could pay dividends for the men’s basketball team, which is expecting even more production and leadership from him during his senior season.
SAD ENDING, NEW BEGINNING: One of our lasting memories of Cole from last season was when he was seen crying on the bench during the Big East tournament semifinal loss to Creighton. Cole hated that he was unable to play, and that should fuel his success this year.
• Cole finished his first season in Storrs with averages of 12.2 points, 4.3 assists and 1.2 points in 31 minutes per game. He alternated running the point and playing off the ball.
• “Last year, it was a little disappointing for me just because of what I know I’m capable of,” Cole said. “I know I wasn’t consistent a lot. It took me a minute to get to where I was at the end of the season. But now, just making sure that I continue to get in the gym, working hard, make sure I stay on that consistent path where now I don’t have to worry about having any slumps. And if I do have a slump, maybe I know how to get myself out of it.”
FINDING A NICHE: As an underclassman at Howard, where he played in 2018-19 and 2019-20, Cole was known as a prolific scorer who had to do it all to lead the offense. To say he struggled with his role and responsibilities last season at UConn may be putting it mildly.
• Cole was pulled from the starting lineup for two games in February and responded with a tremendous game in a win against Xavier in which he had 24 points and seven assists. He started again the next game.
• Although James Bouknight has gone to the NBA, Cole’s point-guard duties are again expected to be spelled by Jalen Gaffney. But not only do the Huskies have Gaffney, they have a talented freshman in Rahsool Diggins, who should also push for minutes in that role.
• “We feel like R.J. Cole has the potential to be a much more dynamic player this year as we give him the green light to be more assertive and to look for his offense a lot more,” Dan Hurley said. “Coming in from Howard, he obviously proved that he can score and create at a much higher level than he showed last year. I feel like he’s an all-conference level guard.”
Morning Reads
• Paige Bueckers was named to the Associated Press’ preseason all-America team yesterday, which is what one would expect from the reigning national player of the year. (Hartford Courant)
• Nick Capone scored a pair of goals and had an assist as the men’s hockey team beat Northeastern 5-3 last night. (UConnHuskies.com)
• The men’s soccer team will face Rutgers tonight at home in a game that was postponed from yesterday earlier in the week. (UConnHuskies.com)
• Podcasts are quickly becoming our go-to medium and there is a new UConn podcast called Rent Free from Drew Vandermore. Here is the link to his first podcast with former UConn LB Ryan Gilmartin. (Rent Free)
