ECU Transfer Tristen Newton Currently on Visit to UConn

[Sphinx]

If Newton signs, what is our enticement to get a second quality guard in here? Newton played 34 minutes per game for ECU. Who will transfer to UConn to play 6-8 minutes behind him? Doesn't that restrict us to an Antoine Anderson quality player? Where exactly is the willing backup point who can give us better quality minutes that Gaff?

 

[CallMeBruce]

First of all, I am not the one who said the guy leaving was an A 10 level guy. This was quoted by many on the board. So now we get a guy who started for a team that goes 6 and 11 in the AAC...OK...I guess I am not seeing this as a huge upgrade. So dislike away. Not like some posters who went to the Boneyard powers to file a grievance.

I understand why you might be confused. Actually, players can be better or worse than each other even if they're on the same team. So, for example, if this guy was by far the best player on a bad team, he could still be quite good despite the team being bad. A good example would be recent UConn point guard RJ Cole, who was on the #305 kenpom team his last year at Howard in the MEAC, but who ended up being a major contributor at UConn, which is in the Big East (a significantly better conference than the MEAC). Do you understand now? Hope this helps!

 

[Sphinx]

To answer my own question, it's probably more likely that AJax or Floyd would get minutes at the point behind Newton than our recruiting a viable backup point.

 

[superjohn]

If Newton signs, what is our enticement to get a second quality guard in here? Newton played 34 minutes per game for ECU. Who will transfer to UConn to play 6-8 minutes behind him? Doesn't that restrict us to an Antoine Anderson quality player? Where exactly is the willing backup point who can give us better quality minutes that Gaff?

There's a starting job for Ramey.

 

[Brochacho]

If Newton signs, what is our enticement to get a second quality guard in here? Newton played 34 minutes per game for ECU. Who will transfer to UConn to play 6-8 minutes behind him? Doesn't that restrict us to an Antoine Anderson quality player? Where exactly is the willing backup point who can give us better quality minutes that Gaff?

Assuming Hawkins gets about 10 minutes a game at the 3 we could pretty easily offer 60 minutes at the 1/2 to transfers.

 

[McLovin]

I don't know why people on here would make up stories about what Hurley did or didn't say to players. They have no idea.

So let me ask this for the people who believe he told Diggins and Gaffney they wouldn't play next year. Or that he might have told them they're the starting pg next year if he wanted them to be.

First, from what we've seen from Hurley does he seem like the type who would blatantly tell a player they wouldn't play next season? He seems to tell players what they would need to do to get on the court more next season. Doesn't that seem more like him?

Second, do you ever think he would tell a player that they have a certain position locked up for next season? Of course not. We've heard it from multiple recruits and players that he tells them they need to work for their playing time. Right?

Obviously Diggins and Gaffney had bad experiences this past season because they weren't good enough to play more. And they didn't see that changing next year. So they left. End of story.

You’re right Hurley probably told them that if they want to see the court next season, it wouldn’t be in a UConn jersey.

I’m pretty sure Hurley is starting to get it. If you want to win and compete as a big time program, you can’t make everyone “feel good”.

Lying to Diggins and Gaff that they can “compete for playing time” while actively recruiting over them with guys in the portal like Newton, isn’t helpful to anyone.

I wasn’t privy to this conversation between Hurley and his players, but being a part of high performing business teams in the past, I know that the best leaders tend to be honest & direct with their team members…

 

[Sphinx]

Assuming Hawkins gets about 10 minutes a game at the 3 we could pretty easily offer 60 minutes at the 1/2 to transfers.

But aren't we already crowded at the 2-3 with Ajax, Hawk, Floyd and Karaban? Even if AJax goes to the 4, don't we need the firepower of Hawk, Floyd and Karaban in the lineup as much as possible? Where is there room for a transfer? No, the backup we need, behind Newton, is at PG, and the challenge is to get a quality transfer willing to play backup point.

 

[AntG168]

But aren't we already crowded at the 2-3 with Ajax, Hawk, Floyd and Karaban? Even if AJax goes to the 4, don't we need the firepower of Hawk, Floyd and Karaban in the lineup as much as possible? Where is there room for a transfer? No, the backup we need, behind Newton, is at PG, and the challenge is to get a quality transfer willing to play backup point.

AJax and Karaban will get minutes at the 4. Were incredibly versatile which makes finding minutes for guys easy as long as Hurley doesn’t get lost in the game. Having guys like Karaban, Floyd, AJax, Newton is a tacticians dream. It allows you to do so much. If we land Newton and Ramsey we’ll learn a lot about Hurleys coaching abilities next season

 

[kemba]

But aren't we already crowded at the 2-3 with Ajax, Hawk, Floyd and Karaban? Even if AJax goes to the 4, don't we need the firepower of Hawk, Floyd and Karaban in the lineup as much as possible? Where is there room for a transfer? No, the backup we need, behind Newton, is at PG, and the challenge is to get a quality transfer willing to play backup point.

2 of the guys you mentioned haven’t played a minute of college basketball so while we’re all hopeful they are immediate impact guys saying they need to be in the lineup as much as possible is a bit much.

 

[UCTitleTown]

And Moses Malone was a high school kid.

LeBron James.

 

[Verne]

I missed the part where going 6-11 in the AAC matters? Can you elaborate or are you just a troll hunter

Cole finished 3rd in the MEAC his sophomore year and then 3 years later was essentially the runner up for BE player of the year...

 

[UofCT]

I don’t care who is currently on the roster, you get the best possible players and let them battle it out in practice.

 

[superjohn]

But aren't we already crowded at the 2-3 with Ajax, Hawk, Floyd and Karaban? Even if AJax goes to the 4, don't we need the firepower of Hawk, Floyd and Karaban in the lineup as much as possible? Where is there room for a transfer? No, the backup we need, behind Newton, is at PG, and the challenge is to get a quality transfer willing to play backup point.

Hurley said we're going to play 4 out...the best lineup for that is most likely Newton at the 1, Ramey/Floyd at the 2, Hawkins at the 3, Jackson 4, Sanogo 5. Karaban at the 4 and 3, Samson at the 4 and 5, Akok at the 4, Clingan at the 5.

Versatility is the key, we only had one guy on the team who could consistently handle and create buckets last season in Cole. Newton, Ramey, Floyd, Jackson should all be able to do that and they all have size. Ramey hasn't been to campus yet but it's clear we're zeroing in on him and have a ton of playing time for him.

 

[Brochacho]

But aren't we already crowded at the 2-3 with Ajax, Hawk, Floyd and Karaban? Even if AJax goes to the 4, don't we need the firepower of Hawk, Floyd and Karaban in the lineup as much as possible? Where is there room for a transfer? No, the backup we need, behind Newton, is at PG, and the challenge is to get a quality transfer willing to play backup point.

RJ Cole basically averaged 37 MPG his two years at Howard. Came here and played 31 MPG his first year. I don't think it would be unreasonable for Newton to transfer here and see less minutes than he did at ECU but still make an impact. Maybe he can play 15 at PG and 15 at SG then Ramey takes the remaining 25 at PG. Floyd and Karaban aren't guarantees but I obviously expect them to play. I'm sure Hurley can figure something out.

 

[Sphinx]

2 of the guys you mentioned haven’t played a minute of college basketball so while we’re all hopeful they are immediate impact guys saying they need to be in the lineup as much as possible is a bit much.

True, if you see next year as a rebuild year, which is what it is if Floyd and Karaban have no immediate impact. At age 84, I haven't the luxury to settle for that.

 

[Verne]

I'd have to imagine the staff is portaling for 2 starters. I think there's only 3 players guaranteed starters minutes right now. Sanogo, AJ and Hawkins.

 

[Fishy]

You’re right Hurley probably told them that if they want to see the court next season, it wouldn’t be in a UConn jersey.

I’m pretty sure Hurley is starting to get it. If you want to win and compete as a big time program, you can’t make everyone “feel good”.

Lying to Diggins and Gaff that they can “compete for playing time” while actively recruiting over them with guys in the portal like Newton, isn’t helpful to anyone.

I wasn’t privy to this conversation between Hurley and his players, but being a part of high performing business teams in the past, I know that the best leaders tend to be honest & direct with their team members…

Do coaches often try to convince players to transfer when they have absolutely no one in hand to replace them?

I am thinking not. This was about 18 hours before Gaffney transferred - pretty clear that no one told him that he was not going to see playing time in a UConn uniform next year.

Just get more skill on the court,” Hurley said. “Having three non-shooters in the game just becomes tough ... I think it’s really important we put guys next to Andre (Jackson) and Jordan (Hawkins), or Corey (Floyd Jr.) or Jalen (Gaffney). We’ve got to make sure it all fits.”

 

[superjohn]

Do coaches often try to convince players to transfer when they have absolutely no one in hand to replace them?

Yes, all the time now with the new transfer rules.

 

[Brochacho]

A hypothetical 10-man rotation with Newton and Ramey (MPG):

PG: Newton (15), Ramey (25)
SG: Hawkins (20), Newton (15), Floyd (5)
SF: Jackson (25), Hawkins (5), Floyd (5), Karaban (5)
PF: Akok (20), Johnson (10), Karaban (5), Jackson (5)
C: Sanogo (30), Clingan (10)

Again, hypothetical. But we can add and give solid minutes to two high level transfers while still getting the younger guys minutes. And we don't know if any of the freshmen are ready to contribute - Johnson as well.

 

[navery12]

Do coaches often try to convince players to transfer when they have absolutely no one in hand to replace them?

No but they might when they know guys are about to enter the portal who are interested in coming to UConn

 

[shizzle787]

A hypothetical 10-man rotation with Newton and Ramey (MPG):

PG: Newton (15), Ramey (25)
SG: Hawkins (20), Newton (15), Floyd (5)
SF: Jackson (25), Hawkins (5), Floyd (5), Karaban (5)
PF: Akok (20), Johnson (10), Karaban (5), Jackson (5)
C: Sanogo (30), Clingan (10)

Again, hypothetical. But we can add and give solid minutes to two high level transfers while still getting the younger guys minutes. And we don't know if any of the freshmen are ready to contribute - Johnson as well.

I think Hawkins will play more than 25 minutes a game.

 

[Fishy]

No but they might when they know guys are about to enter the portal who are interested in coming to UConn

It was rhetorical.

Clearly, no such conversation took place with Gaffney.

 

[superjohn]

It was rhetorical.

Clearly, no such conversation took place with Gaffney.

Are you going to stop with this when Hurley brings in 2 guards who are way better than Gaffney and Diggins?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

95 in Southern California yesterday. Was great to jump in the pool after work. Of all the things I miss about the Northeast the cold is not one of them.

In Southern California today. Feels like it is in the mid 50’s, I just bought a $15 12 ounce smoothie, and I am looking at a 45 minute drive to go 12 miles on the PCH in Orange County. There are pros and cons to every place.

 

[Brochacho]

I think Hawkins will play more than 25 minutes a game.

I do too but that wasn't the point of my post. I was just showing there's minutes available for quality transfers while still being able to play the freshmen and give sufficient minutes to impact players. Realistically, I don't think Floyd or Clingan see many minutes and we use a 8-man rotation.