Newton has turned the corner | The Boneyard

Newton has turned the corner

Rico444

Rico444

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He's got 20+ points in back to back games, but more importantly he's attacking the paint and drawing fouls. I know DePaul isn't great but the last two games he's looked like a completely different player offensively.
 
Rico444 said:
He's got 20+ points in back to back games, but more importantly he's attacking the paint and drawing fouls. I know DePaul isn't great but the last two games he's looked like a completely different player offensively.
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I honestly think this team's Achilles heal has been it's confidence . Guys like Hawkins and Newton were holding themselves back by not being confident to drive to the basket and finish. Ajax has like 0 confidence right now. That's been the difference maker from the first 14 games and the past 10.
 
I think they have the blueprint going forward if they want it.

Hawk, Newton and Sanogo are the three guys who can carry the team going forward. They gotta show up. Jackson just needs to do what he can do - defense, rebounds, assists. Don’t care if he scores. Also, enough with the techs.

Everyone else…fill in the gaps.
 
.-.
I completely agree. Newton is the key to this team. His threes are a bonus, but it's his attacking the rim that is the key to our success and is the biggest difference between the NC and conference games.
 
Newton had a fine couple of games. Would like to see him off the ball on a few occasions, looking for his shot along with Karaban. Newton tends to dribble across half court. The first half was played with a much better pace than the second half in which we played DePaul about even. Our offense tends to bog down at a slower pace.

We seem better playing an up-tempo game before the defense is set in my opinion. Newton needs to pass downcourt more, but our offense set-up doesn't encourage that unless Jackson brings up the ball. Hope our coaches can pick up on this point.
 
My only observation is that Newton sometimes takes shots too quickly at the beginning of the shot clock. I believe he had a quick one last night that resulted in an air ball. But he is definitely improving.
 
Newton's first eight conference games:

7.5p, 36.4 2p%, 3.1 FTA

Newton's last four conference games:

16.5p, 61.9 2p%, 7.8 FTAs

It's taken him a while, but he's starting to figure out how to attack the basket and draw fouls in the Big East at the elite rate he was able to last year at ECU (5th in AAC in fouls drawn last season, 8th in the Big East this season).

Great UConn teams feature players with unique abilities, and that is Newton's unique ability.
 
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HCCForever said:
My only observation is that Newton sometimes takes shots too quickly at the beginning of the shot clock. I believe he had a quick one last night that resulted in an air ball. But he is definitely improving.
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Me and my wife were right behind the bench last night , after he threw up that air ball he looked over at Hurley and mouthed " I'm so sorry coach" . Hurley nodded.
 
uconnblueinky said:
Me and my wife were right behind the bench last night , after he threw up that air ball he looked over at Hurley and mouthed " I'm so sorry coach" . Hurley nodded.
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This one thing speaks more about the respect this team has for the coach and how Dan Hurley has evolved with his players. We can make up whatever narrative fits our down in the dumps mindset but that says it all. Newton Hawkins and sanogo we’re having a blast before they ended the night with big numbers. As @Letsgohuskies11 said: confidence is huge
 
Rico444 said:
He's got 20+ points in back to back games, but more importantly he's attacking the paint and drawing fouls. I know DePaul isn't great but the last two games he's looked like a completely different player offensively.
Expand ...
It is well known here that I have not been a fan of Newton's game, but I must pause my criticisms and offer kudos for his performance in the last 2 games. Going forward, hopefully he continues to perform at this level. The team needs his best play to succeed.
 
Hey Adrien! said:
Newton's first eight conference games:

7.5p, 36.4 2p%, 3.1 FTA

Newton's last four conference games:

16.5p, 61.9 2p%, 7.8 FTAs

It's taken him a while, but he's starting to figure out how to attack the basket and draw fouls in the Big East at the elite rate he was able to last year at ECU (5th in AAC in fouls drawn last season, 8th in the Big East this season).

Great UConn teams feature players with unique abilities, and that is Newton's unique ability.
Expand ...
For context, our last 4 opponents (w/ Kenpom adjD rank and Newton’s stats):
  • Seton Hall (15) - 11pts (6/6 FT)
  • Butler (88) - 11pts (5/6 FT)
  • Xavier (94) - 23pts (9/11 FT)
  • Depaul (190) - 21pts (8/8 FT)

Mainly curious if his recent improvement is a trend that will continue against stronger defenses, or an artifact of playing a few weaker ones.
 
kobebeanbryant said:
For context, our last 4 opponents (w/ Kenpom adjD rank and Newton’s stats):
  • Seton Hall (15) - 11pts (6/6 FT)
  • Butler (88) - 11pts (5/6 FT)
  • Xavier (94) - 23pts (9/11 FT)
  • Depaul (190) - 21pts (8/8 FT)

Mainly curious if his recent improvement is a trend that will continue against stronger defenses, or an artifact of playing a few weaker ones.
Expand ...
time will tell, but what if he wasn't doing that against the weaker defenses? That would be worse. Seton Hall's D is good isn't it?
 
.-.
Hey Adrien! said:
Great UConn teams feature players with unique abilities, and that is Newton's unique ability.
Expand ...

He really needs to be the lead guard. I know that hamstrings Andre even more on offense if he's off-ball, but Newton can put up points in a hurry... and we need that. His ability to draw fouls helps EVERYONE down the stretch. Being in the bonus is a huge handicap.
 
Fishy said:
I think they have the blueprint going forward if they want it.

Hawk, Newton and Sanogo are the three guys who can carry the team going forward. They gotta show up. Jackson just needs to do what he can do - defense, rebounds, assists. Don’t care if he scores. Also, enough with the techs.

Everyone else…fill in the gaps.
Expand ...

Totally agree. Its the only real way going down the stretch.

Im entirely sure the first player has what it takes, pretty darn confident on the 3rd player. I just don't see the 2nd, or just in my mind that level of trust for that job has eluded me.
 
Newton and AJ just don’t mix on the floor. Newton was a different guy earlier in the season with AJ out or coming off the bench.

Newton seems to finally have adjusted and realized that he is the point and he can score and not to worry about AJ
 
Newton stepping up as the third guy would be huge to take the pressure off of Hawk and Adama. He is the guy on the roster to take his man off the dribble and improvise when the play breaks down. Also stepped up when the game got alittle dicey and settled the team back down.
 
kobebeanbryant said:
For context, our last 4 opponents (w/ Kenpom adjD rank and Newton’s stats):
  • Seton Hall (15) - 11pts (6/6 FT)
  • Butler (88) - 11pts (5/6 FT)
  • Xavier (94) - 23pts (9/11 FT)
  • Depaul (190) - 21pts (8/8 FT)

Mainly curious if his recent improvement is a trend that will continue against stronger defenses, or an artifact of playing a few weaker ones.
Expand ...
Taking this one step further…

Breaking down the big east defenses into tiers (as best as I could find natural breaks so don’t kill me on this):
  • Hardest D ;) - top 70 adjD
  • Average D - 70-120 adjD
  • Softest D - 120+ adjD

Teams break down as follows:
  • Hard: Hall, Creigh, Prov, SJ, Marq
  • Avg: But x2, Xav x2, Nova
  • Soft: Dep, GT

Here’s Newton’s stats against each Tier (take with grain of salt since sample size is small):
  • Hardest D: 7.4ppg, 44% 2p, 3.0 FTApg
  • Average D: 10.2ppg, 41% 2p, 5.0 FTApg
  • Softest D: 19.0ppg, 70% 2p, 8.0 FTApg
Next week’s games (Marq, Creighton) will tell us a lot.
 
Last edited:
kobebeanbryant said:
Taking this one step further…

Breaking down the big east defenses into tiers (as best as I could find natural breaks so don’t kill me on this):
  • Hardest D ;) - top 70 adjD
  • Average D - 70-120 adjD
  • Softest D - 120+ adjD

Teams break down as follows:
  • Hard: Hall, Creigh, Prov, SJ, Marq
  • Avg: But x2, Xav x2, Nova
  • Soft: Dep, GT

Here’s Newton’s stats against each Tier (take with grain of salt since sample size is small):
  • Hardest D: 7.4ppg, 44% 2p, 3.0 FTApg
  • Average D: 10.2ppg, 41% 2p, 5.0 FTApg
  • Softest D: 19.0ppg, 70% 2p, 8.0 FTApg
Next week’s games (Marq, Creighton) will tell us a lot.
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thanks for the numbers and the tiers. I like Newton's game against Creighton, too. I thought he was big in that game. Yesterday's game against DePaul was a more extreme version of the game vs Creighton in terms of scoring distribution-it was Sanogo, Hawkins, and Newton doing almost all the scoring. In the Creighton game those 3 scored 56 of the 69 points in that game.
 
.-.
Just like R.J. Cole took some time to acclimate to Big East play, Newton has started to get it. He and Hawkins should be in the 36-38 minute range every game, fouls notwithstanding. It's time to shorten the bench regarding the backup guard play. Joey has lost his shot and game time is no place to try and find it again. Diarra doesn't give us much offensively, and Alleyne can't penetrate the way Newton can. Johnson can spell Karaban without too much of a drop-off. Jackson should stay on the floor as long as fouls permit.
 
I'll admit, I was wrong about Newton. Has looked great in the lead guard role. Needs more freedom and he'll continue to flourish.
 
Both he and Hawkins not only look much more assertive recently but fresher physically. Looked like a lot of guys on the team hit a wall physically recently and now have a second wind.
 
Fishy said:
I think they have the blueprint going forward if they want it.

Hawk, Newton and Sanogo are the three guys who can carry the team going forward. They gotta show up. Jackson just needs to do what he can do - defense, rebounds, assists. Don’t care if he scores. Also, enough with the techs.

Everyone else…fill in the gaps.
Expand ...
Would also be nice to have Joey get his confidence back from 3. He was automatic during that 14 game winning streak. Him coming off the bench for 10 minutes or so and hitting 2 or 3 threes can shift the momentum in a close game.
 
kobebeanbryant said:
For context, our last 4 opponents (w/ Kenpom adjD rank and Newton’s stats):
  • Seton Hall (15) - 11pts (6/6 FT)
  • Butler (88) - 11pts (5/6 FT)
  • Xavier (94) - 23pts (9/11 FT)
  • Depaul (190) - 21pts (8/8 FT)

Mainly curious if his recent improvement is a trend that will continue against stronger defenses, or an artifact of playing a few weaker ones.
Expand ...
I like since the Butler game he has been driving to the hoops and using his height and strength to overpower guards. This is a key to the offense and must continue for us to be successful. Him and Hawkins going to the basket has been a great sight to see. Definitely has been something that Hurley has been pushing since the Seton Hall game.
 
Jaydumo20 said:
This one thing speaks more about the respect this team has for the coach and how Dan Hurley has evolved with his players. We can make up whatever narrative fits our down in the dumps mindset but that says it all. Newton Hawkins and sanogo we’re having a blast before they ended the night with big numbers. As @Letsgohuskies11 said: confidence is huge
Expand ...
We noticed Newton , Alex and Hawkins constantly smiling throughout the game. Even when DePaul made their run , these guys never got down. Andre Jackson is without the a doubt, the biggest supporter of his teammates. Constantly engaged with ALL the players , constantly cheering his teammates on and clearly takes his mistakes seriously. You can see it written all over his face. This kid loves winning and hates losing. Hurley talks to Andre the most, from what we saw
 
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