Can we talk about Tristen Newton for a second?

[auror]

He doesn't scout well, because he constantly looks like he's about to lose the ball, some of his midrange shots don't look the prettiest, and he shots a low jumper. But he's been absolutely nails so far this year. And he's got the size.

 

[gsmooth]

From the time I saw him at ECU, against UConn, I believed he would be making a name for himself at the national level. Never thought it would be with UConn.

That's why I was pumped up when UConn got him because I remember the game in Feb 2020 when he was at East Carolina and he scored 25 against UConn.

 

[Jaydumo20]

No. He was good from the get-go, people just refused to believe it. He's an all-time UConn great.

After some reflection, I think you are right. Last year's chorus of "he's no PG" was quite loud and prolonged.

 

[ucp990411]

You mean play for like 13 teams in 13 years?

That is not a good career?

 

[UCan3]

There was some ridiculous and I mean ridiculous talking head consensus that Tristen wasn’t a “true” point guard.

Think about how stupid that is as we sit here today.

I think he’s the best player in the country.

 

[Huskybass]

That is not a good career?

The fact that no team ever wanted to keep him should speak volumes.

 

[3rdbass]

I like the Austin Reaves comp that was mentioned on here a few months ago. Didn't think Tristen had an NBA future prior to this season but I can definitely see it now, especially with teams now prioritizing 2nd round picks with the new CBA. Age will hold him back from going higher but at the same time you could probably expect him to be ready to contribute and be a role player sooner.

Austin Reaves is more athletic but doesn't play as good D as Tristen.

 

[Hoophound]

Newton was a good player at ECU. That didn’t translate to UConn at first, but he found his way and by the post season last year, he was very good. This season, he’s actually great. He’s underrated nationally. He has developed skills that are elite for the college level, particularly his outlet passing and shooting. He’s a very smart player with tremendous patience.

I am incredibly happy for him. He deserves the attention. His decision to return for this season is really paying off. He’s got a legit shot at being considered a top 10 player in the country by season’s end.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

This thread is certainly deserved but also a little odd...you're all gushing about the reigning MVP of the NC game like he was some underappreciated scrub

 

[Hoophound]

This thread is certainly deserved but also a little odd...you're all gushing about the reigning MVP of the NC game like he was some underappreciated scrub

He was. He wasn’t on the radar nationally. He still isn’t, for the most part.

 

[inWV]

Tristen had demonstrated at ECU he was a great scorer. Not sure about his rebounding ability at ECU but we observed that right from the beginning at UConn last season. His significant improvement since coming to UConn is his ability to know when to score and when to distribute. It was my impression that in the first half of the season he was unsure how to combine those two things and it impacted his scoring. Andre was often the primary playmaker as a result. That was the major reason Tristen got the reputation of not being a point guard.

That changed the final third to one half of last season. He is a complete guard now. Bilas"s assessment he's the best point guard in mens basketball is probably accurate. Kudos to the coaching staff for helping him. Kudos to Tristen for taking that instruction and making it work.

Newton averaged about 4.5 rbg until this season where his present average is 7.6. He is playing at an elevated level and has a lot of confidence on the floor.

 

[7774]

The fact that no team ever wanted to keep him should speak volumes.

That’s actually not a fact, he was on the Sixers for a bunch of years in a row. By all means continue though…

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

The fact that no team ever wanted to keep him should speak volumes.

Can't believe this board is free. Every day you read something that makes you laugh out loud at how dumb it is.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

He was. He wasn’t on the radar nationally. He still isn’t, for the most part.

He was considered the 50th best player in college bball prior to the season by a major publication... certainly not off the radar

CBS top 100 players for 2023

 

[TheChamps990411]

I said during the offseason that him coming back was probably the most important personnel decision for UConn's season. We can forget the "probably" now. I know everyone says he's not athletic enough, he's not a real point guard, etc. etc., but he's looked really good the last 2 games against very good competition. Those were some NBA moves last night and Friday night. He's the engine that makes this team go. I think he gets a crack at the NBA.

Nine games into Connecticut's season, it's clear who the big name and most important player on this roster is: senior point guard Tristen Newton. As I wrote recently, after a different drubbing at MSG, there's a lot to be inspired by with UConn and its national championship potential. The 6-foot-5 Newton is The Guy. If this team plays its way to a Big East title or another Final Four, Newton will be the core of the effort.

"He is what makes them go and he sets up all those other guys, so that's been huge," one assistant who faced UConn told me.

Court Report: UConn's Tristen Newton has been the not-so-quiet MVP of the Huskies' season so far

Four teams descended on Madison Square Garden on Tuesday for the Jimmy V Classic. Matt Norlander has intel on all of them

www.cbssports.com

He had me convinced last March and April. He found himself and was sensational. That title game performance was great. He singlehandedly put SDSU away. Killed them down the stretch.

 

[Hoophound]

He was considered the 50th best player in college bball prior to the season by a major publication... certainly not off the radar

CBS top 100 players for 2023

That’s pretty well off the radar for a guy playing as well as anyone. You’re also sighting one source. Most people have no idea who Newton is. Bilas was amazed that Newton could play against KU.

 

[Waquoit]

The fact that no team ever wanted to keep him should speak volumes.

It doesn't, that's not how it works. I'm not even an Ollie fan anymore but this is just ridiculous.

 

[SwingDog]

No. He was good from the get-go, people just refused to believe it. He's an all-time UConn great.

He absolutely was good but he has improved. Credit to him for the hard work he's put in, and to the coaches and teammates.

 

[HooperScooper]

This thread is certainly deserved but also a little odd...you're all gushing about the reigning MVP of the NC game like he was some underappreciated scrub

I'm pretty certain that Adama Sanogo was the MOP at the Final Four. We know what Newton did but I'm not sure most college basketball fans could you tell you who the best player was in the championship game.

Plus, remember his own conference didn't even recognize him before the season started. Wasn't even honorable mention. Karaban was ahead of him.

BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Tyler Kolek, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Cumberland, R.I.

Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team
Trey Alexander, Creighton, G, Jr., 6-4, 190, Oklahoma City, Okla.
*Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Sr., 7-1, 270, St. Louis, Mo.
Bryce Hopkins, Providence, F-G, Jr., 6-7, 220, Oak Park, Ill.
Joel Soriano, St. John’s, C, Sr., 6-11, 255, Yonkers, N.Y.
Justin Moore, Villanova, G, Gr., 6-4, 210, Fort Washington, Md.

Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team
Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, C, So., 7-2, 280, Bristol, Conn.
Baylor Scheierman, Creighton, G, Sr., 6-7, 205, Aurora, Neb.
Oso Ighodaro, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-11, 225, Chandler, Ariz.
Kam Jones, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-5, 200, Memphis, Tenn.
Eric Dixon, Villanova, F, R-Sr., 6-8, 255, Willow Grove, Pa.

Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Alex Karaban, Connecticut, F, R-So., 6-8, 220, Southborough, Mass.
Devin Carter, Providence, G, Jr., 6-3, 195, Miami, Fla.
Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Gr., 6-9, 227, Teaneck, N.J.
*unanimous selection

 

[1999GoodSon]

During the broadcast against Kansas, Jay Bilas said he was one of the best players in the country. Those kind of comments are not spontaneous. He's in the conversation now.

All I know is I don't even want to think about what last Friday night would have looked like without him.

 

[ValleyGuy]

I was a little down on him to start. He hit an all time low in the game at Georgetown. He was like 0/3 and just non-existent. After that game something clicked. He obviously has been huge for UConn.

Glad he’s a husky

 

[HooperScooper]

This thread is certainly deserved but also a little odd...you're all gushing about the reigning MVP of the NC game like he was some underappreciated scrub

Hey, just remember that lots of posters on this board, huge UConn fans, don't even spell his first name correctly. How's that for under appreciated?
(I'm still not giving up on this. I may die trying.)

 

[Deepster]

I said during the offseason that him coming back was probably the most important personnel decision for UConn's season. We can forget the "probably" now. I know everyone says he's not athletic enough, he's not a real point guard, etc. etc., but he's looked really good the last 2 games against very good competition. Those were some NBA moves last night and Friday night. He's the engine that makes this team go. I think he gets a crack at the NBA.

Nine games into Connecticut's season, it's clear who the big name and most important player on this roster is: senior point guard Tristen Newton. As I wrote recently, after a different drubbing at MSG, there's a lot to be inspired by with UConn and its national championship potential. The 6-foot-5 Newton is The Guy. If this team plays its way to a Big East title or another Final Four, Newton will be the core of the effort.

"He is what makes them go and he sets up all those other guys, so that's been huge," one assistant who faced UConn told me.

Court Report: UConn's Tristen Newton has been the not-so-quiet MVP of the Huskies' season so far

Four teams descended on Madison Square Garden on Tuesday for the Jimmy V Classic. Matt Norlander has intel on all of them

www.cbssports.com

Can you back up where you said he was "the most important personnel decision" for their season? It's only because, back then you were also bragging about Mac Jones so, you know....it might help to have the backup on this one.

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Last year whenever Tristen was pressured while dribbling, I feared he would turn it over, and he often did. This year, I no longer worry about anything he does. I’m constantly yelling at my tv for him to shoot the ball. The guy is amazing. So glad he’s a Husky. We would not have championship aspirations this year, without Tristen on this team.

 

[Poe]

The fact that no team ever wanted to keep him should speak volumes.

No team wanted to keep him, but at the same time every team wanted to have him. Quite the paradox.