Anyone else notice this similarity to last year

[UCONNFAN179]

Last year Newton and UCONN were excellent at the beginning of the year. At that time Newton was running the show and Andre was hurt and/or playing minimal minutes coming back. Then, Andre came back and was on the ball a lot, and Newton's play immediately took a big step back, and we struggled a bit until Hurley finally put Andre off the ball and UCONN became dominant again.

This year is eerily similar in that Newton started off dominant and the team was awesome, all while Castle was deferring, hurt, and/or not playing as much. As Castle returns and shares time on the ball, Newton has started to struggle, and we look less fluid and less dominant. Hopefully this will be recognized, and Hurley will put Castle into Andre‘s role in the offense off the ball and just let Newton do his thing as lead guard and not play him off the ball in deference to letting Castle play point guard. Newton seems to take a step back when he is not the lead guard, and frankly, Castle isn’t quite up to that role yet anyway. UCONN just doesn't play as well with an offensively challenged pg.

 

[UCONNFAN179]

Or maybe the offense is just better when a guy who cannot shoot and struggles to drive is not handling the ball a majority of the time during a set. It would seem that Castle would be an excellent candidate to be running around screens, and cutting toward the basket, but when he’s not standing at the top of the key, surveying the landscape or setting a so so screen at the top of the key, he’s just standing around waiting to rebound. I think Hurley needs to find a way to get him involved in the offensive flow without him being the lead guard because Newton does not do as well when he isn’t the lead guard, and neither does UCONN.

 

[Poe]

Totally agree. Put the ball and Tristen’s hands and let him create. As good as Castle is, he’s not at Newton’s level yet in terms of shooting, passing, running the show (maybe rebounding they’re even).

 

[Kemba'sYogurt]

It's not as simple as just putting Castle off ball and setting screens for him to get open. Castle is a hesitant shooter, and other teams scout that and would defend accordingly. Going under every screen, giving him plenty of space, etc. It also affects how the other players on the court are defended. Having a non-shooter parked in the corner increases the effectiveness of help defense, vs where a defender who is covering a strong shooter may not play help D at all.

If you want to make the argument to use him like Andre Jackson, that makes a little more sense. But even those two are far different players and it is a lazy comparison.

In theory, between the two of Castle and Newton, Newton is a FAR better option off ball. Much better shooting ability at this point in time.

Not saying Castle should play point instead of Newton, but it isn't as simple as just sticking Castle off ball.

 

[jibsey]

In the tourney I want to defer to him and let him run the show. In terms of outside shots, Tristan. Driving to the hole Tristan, Free throws Tristan. Castle hoisting 3's could take us out of games. I don't know if Hurley will actuary put a stop to him doing it when it really counts. Thoughts?

 

[BrassBonanza]

Totally agree. Put the ball and Tristen’s hands and let him create. As good as Castle is, he’s not at Newton’s level yet in terms of shooting, passing, running the show (maybe rebounding they’re even).

Um... Tristen is an excellent rebounding guard, but I would put Castle about 2 notches higher into the elite category for rebounding.

 

[Poe]

Um... Tristen is an excellent rebounding guard, but I would put Castle about 2 notches higher into the elite category for rebounding.

Tristen is averaging 6.6 rebounds, Castle 5.0. Per 40 minutes Newton 8.1, Castle 7.8, per 100 possessions Newton 12.0, Castle 11.7.

I would call that pretty even right now, but Castle has the potential to be a better rebounder given his size and quickness.

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Now that Clingan is back, I think Castle will stop hoisting 3’s. Castle will have more space to drive and throw lobs, so that is what I expect will happen. I’m tired of screaming at my tv, telling Castle to not shoot 3’s. My vocal cords need a break.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Last year Newton and UCONN were excellent at the beginning of the year. At that time Newton was running the show and Andre was hurt and/or playing minimal minutes coming back. Then, Andre came back and was on the ball a lot, and Newton's play immediately took a big step back, and we struggled a bit until Hurley finally put Andre off the ball and UCONN became dominant again.

This year is eerily similar in that Newton started off dominant and the team was awesome, all while Castle was deferring, hurt, and/or not playing as much. As Castle returns and shares time on the ball, Newton has started to struggle, and we look less fluid and less dominant. Hopefully this will be recognized, and Hurley will put Castle into Andre‘s role in the offense off the ball and just let Newton do his thing as lead guard and not play him off the ball in deference to letting Castle play point guard. Newton seems to take a step back when he is not the lead guard, and frankly, Castle isn’t quite up to that role yet anyway. UCONN just doesn't play as well with an offensively challenged pg.

less dominant but were beating Creighton by 22 at one point and have won 6 in a row?

 

[Huskybass]

Or maybe the offense is just better when a guy who cannot shoot and struggles to drive is not handling the ball a majority of the time during a set. It would seem that Castle would be an excellent candidate to be running around screens, and cutting toward the basket, but when he’s not standing at the top of the key, surveying the landscape or setting a so so screen at the top of the key, he’s just standing around waiting to rebound. I think Hurley needs to find a way to get him involved in the offensive flow without him being the lead guard because Newton does not do as well when he isn’t the lead guard, and neither does UCONN.

Are you saying Castle struggles to drive? From what I've seen Castle gets wherever he wants while handling the ball and has been a very good finisher. Just trying to understand your post.

 

[HooperScooper]

Tristen. T-R-I-S-T-E-N. Tristen.

Sincerely,
Tristen Newton's mother

 

[imno1]

16 - 2 overall, 6 - 1 in conference even with our most impactful player missing time. No complaints here

 

[DW1361]

January is a time to put guys in roles and see what they can do. Castle like Jackson last year is getting a chance to grow and for Hurley to observe. Just like last year, everyone will settle in to their rolls by tournament time. Also, Newton was on the outs with Hurley during that stretch and it affected his play. Hurley and him banged heads and there was an adjustment. I think it came to its peak after the Big East tournament loss when Newton passed up an open look to get the ball to Hawkins to take the last shot. Hawkins couldn’t get open and we know how that worked out. I think Newton was afraid to take that last shot because he was told it would be Hawkins. I think after that debacle Hurley and Newton worked it out and Newton played much better the rest of the way. Just my observation worth less than two cents..

 

[Chin Diesel]

The similarity is Hurley and his staff figuring out how build a team based on returning talent, new talent and emerging talent and get players comfortable in their roles.

The continuity on the staff is what is trending towards a program rather than a team.

 

[uconn_jack]

Are you saying Castle struggles to drive? From what I've seen Castle gets wherever he wants while handling the ball and has been a very good finisher. Just trying to understand your post.

No, he is shown he is capable of it, has flashes, but he has not shown that can get whatever he wants. He's been a pretty good finisher when he gets in, but it's not a given.

He's advanced as a frosh in defense, rebounding, passing, and bbiq. He's very valuable and definitely a plus player, but creating his own offense is not a strength for him, at least not yet. You can tell the talent and ability is there, but he's not there yet.

If that does click for him this year, it's going to make them absolutely scarey.

 

[Husky68]

Last year Newton and UCONN were excellent at the beginning of the year. At that time Newton was running the show and Andre was hurt and/or playing minimal minutes coming back. Then, Andre came back and was on the ball a lot, and Newton's play immediately took a big step back, and we struggled a bit until Hurley finally put Andre off the ball and UCONN became dominant again.

This year is eerily similar in that Newton started off dominant and the team was awesome, all while Castle was deferring, hurt, and/or not playing as much. As Castle returns and shares time on the ball, Newton has started to struggle, and we look less fluid and less dominant. Hopefully this will be recognized, and Hurley will put Castle into Andre‘s role in the offense off the ball and just let Newton do his thing as lead guard and not play him off the ball in deference to letting Castle play point guard. Newton seems to take a step back when he is not the lead guard, and frankly, Castle isn’t quite up to that role yet anyway. UCONN just doesn't play as well with an offensively challenged pg.

You must have been listening to my conversation with the wife after the game. See it exactly the same, last year it took a bunch of loses for Hurley and crew to figure out the change needed on how to use Jackson which then also reduced the posting up by Adama. Castle is more willing to drive and shoot but still not the guy who demands attention outside so clogs inside and hinders getting solid picks to open other shooters.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

Newton is struggling during conference play just like last season. It's a very different whistle in the Big East.
Fortunately a few others are picking up the slack after having seen the January struggles a year ago.
I would imagine that Newton is thrilled to be off the ball occasionally to get a break. Being constantly under ball pressure has to be exhausting.

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

It’s extremely premature to say when we’re playing Karaban at the 5 half of the games. I do think Newton is a much better off ball guard than he is a primary ball handler, and Hurley has done a good job utilizing that skill set as best he can.

 

[3rdbass]

Are you saying Castle struggles to drive? From what I've seen Castle gets wherever he wants while handling the ball and has been a very good finisher. Just trying to understand your post.

Castle's problem is he isn't aggressive enough when he has the ball. He can drive with the best of them if he wants. He isn't AJ as far as driving who didn't have those moves near the basket to finish off stuff. AJ would just try to fly over people.

 

[ucp990411]

We have yet to see the Stephan Castle we will see in March. Our most talented player. I wonder what Scheirman thinks of the blanket Steph put on him.

 

[CL82]

Tristen. T-R-I-S-T-E-N. Tristen.

Sincerely,
Tristen Newton's mother

Seriously, are you conflicted about the prospect of getting Joson Sanon? Those are not going to be good years for you.

 

[pj]

We just played our best game of the year against Creighton, so it's hard to see why something is broken.

Even if it is, your diagnosis is off. Stephon and Andre are totally different players. It was problematic to have the ball in the hands of a single-threat guy who couldn't shoot. Whereas Castle is a 2.5-threat guy and still developing. We've had great success with two point guard lineups in the past (Kevin-Doron, Khalid-Ricky, etc) and the onus is on Tristen if he has NBA ambitions to be able to play alongside an NBA-caliber guard.

We can't just hand the ball to Tristen and say do your thing, everyone has to develop their roles to make this the best possible team.

 

[businesslawyer]

less dominant but were beating Creighton by 22 at one point and have won 6 in a row?

Thank you. I actually think the original post was really insightful, but if you didn’t know that we were the #1 team in the country despite just being healthy as a team for the first time, you wouldn’t guess it from this thread.

 

[Waquoit]

Thank you. I actually think the original post was really insightful, but if you didn’t know that we were the #1 team in the country despite just being healthy as a team for the first time, you wouldn’t guess it from this thread.

Too many reaching for a hot take when the play is the same as last year, sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

[willie99]

I'm seeing nothing but good. We're badass

 

[Spaceman213J]

I think a big part of Tristen's dropoff is the refs. He came to UConn with the reputation of being incredible at drawing fouls and getting to the line. It hasn't translated to the Big East and there are times when he is getting hammered and nothing is called. Sometimes he appears to get frustrated and starts getting out of control trying to force the refs to blow the whistle.

Again, like a lot of players who have come through the system, he will make an occasional play that makes you scratch out head, but I'm still really happy he's on our side. I'm interested to see what happens when the get into the post season. Does he thrive in the NCAA tournament like last year.

 

[Rico444]

I think a big part of Tristen's dropoff is the refs. He came to UConn with the reputation of being incredible at drawing fouls and getting to the line. It hasn't translated to the Big East and there are times when he is getting hammered and nothing is called. Sometimes he appears to get frustrated and starts getting out of control trying to force the refs to blow the whistle.

Again, like a lot of players who have come through the system, he will make an occasional play that makes you scratch out head, but I'm still really happy he's on our side. I'm interested to see what happens when the get into the post season. Does he thrive in the NCAA tournament like last year.

I said it in another thread, it's 100% the Big East refs. Conference games here are a completely different beast, which is why we look so good out of conference. In his first few years, Hurley built our teams to win rock fights and compete in the Big East. The last two years he's gotten us more shooters and a better offensive team in general, but we're more susceptible to getting dragged down into the mud in these conference games.

 

[NJHusky]

Why does it have to be one or the other? Having 2 guys that can play on/off ball seems to be an advantage. Makes the opponent prepare for both styles…and not knowing what we will do every trip down the court

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

Why does it have to be one or the other? Having 2 guys that can play on/off ball seems to be an advantage. Makes the opponent prepare for both styles…and not knowing what we will do every trip down the court

Cam and Hassan also initiate the offense sometimes. It's definitely not a disadvantage to have multiple "lead guards".

 

[HooperScooper]

Seriously, are you conflicted about the prospect of getting Joson Sanon? Those are not going to be good years for you.

It's my goal this year to get all Yarders to spell his name right. And Spencer's name right also. And Samson also while I'm at it. It's asking a lot but I'm going to try.

There are only 12 scholarship players. Shouldn't be that hard. Does anyone spell some of their friends' names wrong? I will give everyone a pass on Apostolos Roumoglou though.