Newton needs to be more involved

[GotNets?]

This is true. McDermott presumably watched the tape and saw how much better our offense has been flowing over the last several games with Newton, rather than AJ, as the primary facilitator. Having Newton in that role has the duel benefit of getting him more engaged in the offense and partially negating the Andre Island defense by taking him off the ball and allowing Hurley to deploy him in the paint to grab weak side rebounds, lobs, etc. vs sitting behind the arc without drawing the attention of the defender. If you take Newton out of the equation offensively, abracadabra, AJ is forced back into taking more of a distribution role- or not distributing because the five defenders are suffocating the four shooters- and we revert to the way our offense was flowing (or not flowing) during the flurry of losses in January.

Great albeit sickening observation

 

[connVA]

It’s not realistic to expect that. If we can’t find ways to win when he isn’t on then we have much bigger problems.

Agreed. I think Hurley needs to gameplan for the worst case scenario because it’s the one that has lost most (if not all) of our games- full iso on Andre and minimal contributions from Newton. If he comes up with a formula to deal with that (double bigs, Alleyne and Diarra, or whatever), we’re cooking with gas. Obviously easier said than done.

The worst worst case scenario is if, in addition to the above, nobody’s three is falling to keep the defense honest. Then we’re really screwed (see January).

 

[BuffaloHusky]

I think this is an easy fix.

Sanago sets a screen up top so Newton can drive with Jackson on the baseline then Newton has to attack Jackson's man so Jackson is an easy lob threat.

 

[InKembaITrust]

It’s not realistic to expect that. If we can’t find ways to win when he isn’t on then we have much bigger problems.

I just don't see that level of production coming from anywhere else consistently. Karaban and Clingan are nice players, but freshmen who don't have enough experience to carry the load. We know AJ can't average 12-15 pts a game. And the bench certainly won't provide that production.

Tristen is an upperclassman and was touted as one of the best offensive weapons in the transfer portal. He has to consistently play like it.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Sometimes it literally doesn’t look like he cares. Just shrugs off everything and smiles. He never really looks fully into the game.

Right. Spacey. The one exception was in the Marquette game; he was focused and locked in, all business. And what happened? His best game and the team’s best game in months. Not a coincidence.

 

[alleyoops55]

Right. Spacey. The one exception was in the Marquette game; he was focused and locked in, all business. And what happened? His best game and the team’s best game in months. Not a coincidence.

 

[mauconnfan]

They have been doing that all season especially lately and Newton has had very good games. Newton only took 4 shots and only 1 three. This was on Newton not Jackson. He just didn't bring energy to the offense and we need him to.

In no way was that defense Saturday the same as any that has been thrown at AJ. Others certainly have sloughed off no doubt but this was an actual zone being played mostly by Scheirman to stop any penetration by others as well as making interior passes more difficult to throw. They were more concerned on him helping strategically than even worrying about AJ. We will see more of it now when teams look at film, better adjust.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Guys it's hard for Newton to penetrate when the guy that should be guarding Jackson is hanging around in the pain to help stop Newton

This. Newton is the only that gets to the rim or can drive an pull-up consistently. With 2 defenders at the rim Newtons offense is completely negated

 

[jorge34]

Wait aburks how did you see that defense? So many others missed it I guess. Killed Newton and he felt it early and became less aggressive. He’s on the floor he can see his lane clogged by a 6’9 kid with a headband on why go there?

Yes. And he DID try to drive several times and was met by 2 defenders including the headband that was supposed to be guarding Jackson