Can we talk about Tristen Newton for a second?

[HooperScooper]

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

 

[warbler1055]

I know Spencer is the talk but Newton is the anchor!!!! Hope that NBA scout will finally see his worth!!!

 

[Dogdeacon]

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

Over his last 10 games it is a resume that deserves first round pick. HUGE game in NCAA final, becomes UConn leader in triple doubles, MONSTER game in Allen Field House, always gets buckets when team needs em' so far this season - the bigger the game the better he plays.

 

[Jaydumo20]

He is 5xs the player he was when he came. Same story with Diarra, Samson, AK, and (Hawk, Ajax, Joey C...)
These coaches are top level.
We probably have some gold on that bench as we speak.

 

[housekeys]

I never open new threads and I am glad you opened this one. Newton is absolutely the key to this team. He should be in the conversation for the best player in America. Does not get the ink, but man he is soooooo goood.

 

[Waquoit]

He is 5xs the player he was when he came.

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

 

[housekeys]

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

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.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I know Spencer is the talk but Newton is the anchor!!!! Hope that NBA scout will finally see his worth!!!

From reports last week, every NBA team sent scouts to the UConn-Kansas game at Allen Fieldhouse, with four teams sending more than one.

Considering his performance in that game I imagine he is now on the radar of most NBA teams.

He's an exception in that a player, still in school at his age will seldom improve his draft stock but the way he's playing, I would be stunned if some team doesn't take a chance on him in the first round next summer.

Personally I'm thrilled for him.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Given his age and athleticism I doubt he gets first round consideration but he’s been amazing for us this year keeping us steady and he seems a lot more consistent than last season.

He’s made some REALLY impressive moves over the last two games in the way he’s creating shots for himself to go along with his usual defense, rebounding, and facilitating.

So much great and versatile guard depth on the team.

 

[HailUConn]

Oh yeah, He is our starting point guard.

 

[warbler1055]

Thank you for posting this. I really feel that this year will change his nba draft stock!!!!

 

[BoukofJames]

He’s getting a bit more national recognition. He showed up at #66 on Sam Vecenie’s new big board, and Joe Liunardi mentioned him as a candidate for best player in the country in an ESPN article today (while also saying no one is close to Edey).

 

[ctchamps]

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.

 

[JSB60]

I think Newton can have a KO-like NBA career.

 

[dog bone]

I was thinking about this when I saw the thread regarding Cam being a zero star recruit out of high school. According to 247 sports, Newton was a zero start prospect out of HS but a 4 star transfer entering UConn. And he would have had a similar game last night like he did at Kansas if UNC hadn't started double teaming him.

Tristen Newton, Connecticut Huskies, Point Guard

Newton signed with ECU in April of 2019.

247sports.com

 

[FfldCntyFan]

What I find fascinating is about eighteen months ago, when a few of our guards transferred out, many felt it was the end of the world.

Things fell into place better than anyone could have hoped.

 

[jibsey]

I think Newton can have a KO-like NBA career.

He’s a better long range shooter than KO. It’s going to get repetitive but he is quietly confident, a coach on the floor for us. Is going to go down as one of UCONN’s all time greats.

 

[Huskybass]

I think Newton can have a KO-like NBA career.

You mean play for like 13 teams in 13 years?

 

[Palatine]

When we played ECU in 2020, the game where Bouk had the mindbending dunk, Newton was on ECU.

He played 38 minutes had 25 points on 9 of 17 shooting, 1 of 2 from the arc 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 0 turnovers.

Numbers that look pretty familiar now. No wonder Hurley recruited him.

 

[Waquoit]

He’s a better long range shooter than KO. It’s going to get repetitive but he is quietly confident, a coach on the floor for us. Is going to go down as one of UCONN’s all time greats.

He's a better everything than KO.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

You mean play for like 13 teams in 13 years?

Great call. A decade plus NBA career is an embarrassment. Hope Newton avoids that fate.

 

[boba]

You mean play for like 13 teams in 13 years?

Playing for 13 years is still impressive, regardless of for whom you play.

 

[GampelGladiator]

Recruiting Newton and Spencer are great examples of focusing on what a player can do...rather than what they can't do.

 

[aceboon]

You mean play for like 13 teams in 13 years?

Before KO's demise guys like you used to tout his longevity in the league as a testament to UConn, now it's something to be mocked

 

[aceboon]

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.