Newton today

[HooperScooper]

I have to say that he was much more engaged today. On both ends of the floor. Very noticeable. I wonder if Hurley had a discussion with him this week. Something like, "We need you if we're going to be really good. I didn't bring you in here to sleepwalk through games. We need that guy from the first part of the season. Be assertive and play your game."

I remember his father saying he was very laid back and quiet. Time is now to assert himself.

 

[uconnsouth]

Looked like Newton from early in the season

 

[RockStrongo]

I really feel like the key to making a real run at this thing is Newton playing like he did today. Drive to the basket and play under control. PG has been a glaring weakness during the slump and IMO Newton is the most talented of the bunch but he just needs to consistently play like it.

 

[UconnU]

Newton looked great.

TN and to a lesser extent JC and NA are kind of more laid back characters, southern/west coast boys. Interesting to watch the dynamic between them and the more energetic gritty NY/NJ characters. Multiple ways to skin a cat but it’s interesting to watch.

 

[HuskyFich]

Newton was outstanding today. He attacked consistently, moved the ball quickly, and didn’t force anything.

A welcome sight.

Build on this performance Tristen! This is what we want to see!

 

[Umami Zen]

No more decaff for Newton.. We got the caff version today.. Opens up the floor when he puts the pedal to the metal and heads to the hoop. Ball was moving like it was 2022 again.

 

[Dove]

Every time he drove to the hoop it seemed like he was fouled. Keep it up!

 

[HuskyHawk]

Newton really, really needed Jackson not to have the ball so much. We look much better when Newton has it and Jackson is off the ball.

 

[BigFanCT]

I absolutely loved Newton, Hawkins, Joey, Karaban and Clingan lineup today and hope we see that lineup way, way more.

 

[alphasigko]

Looked like Newton from early in the season

IMO because Butler was so bad... Jury out until after Wednesday's game

 

[InKembaITrust]

The proof will be in the pudding if this carries into Xavier. He needs to string together some consistency on offense and get back to his old ways and the top transfer he was billed to be.

We need 12-15 pts from him every night to compete with the best.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Every time he drove to the hoop it seemed like he was fouled. Keep it up!

It's what he does the best.
Then he forgot, or something.

 

[mauconnfan]

I saw a guy that coaching finally realized they needed to let go a little more and be a scorer before a PG per se. It worked let’s see more. I think @storrsroars pointed out he was as good 2nd half last game as well 3 good halves in a row. Need that guy!

 

[BGesus4]

I saw a guy that coaching finally realized they needed to let go a little more and be a scorer before a PG per se. It worked let’s see more. I think @storrsroars pointed out he was as good 2nd half last game as well 3 good halves in a row. Need that guy!

Yeah the difference seemed to be he has made a marked change to be more aggressive looking for his own offense.
And worse opponent defenders today tbh.

 

[UConnSwag11]

IMO because Butler was so bad... Jury out until after Wednesday's game

This

 

[my2cents]

First game in awhile that he got to the rim aggressively and got his shot up on the backboard, and they went in.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I've posted a few threads going over Newton's numbers in wins vs losses.

Bottom line is if Newton gets 6 or more FT's and it's usually good news for UConn.

 

[BiggieSmall]

He played very good and involved, However, still cant get around his defender and that one shot he made was kind of forced.

 

[lange10]

I tweeted this out yesterday. I've been hard on Newton, especially during this recent stretch. But, we NEED the Newton we saw today. His defensive motor was outstanding today, too.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Yeah the difference seemed to be he has made a marked change to be more aggressive looking for his own offense.
And worse opponent defenders today tbh.

Agreed glad he found a little more ego in his game

 

[caw]

IMO because Butler was so bad... Jury out until after Wednesday's game

Agree, but he wasn't doing this against bad teams for awhile now.

Honestly, I am not sure if he can do it against good teams, but it seemed he wasn't even trying for awhile. I'm lost on the correct term to use, but for a stretch it seemed the team was too over coached/well coached. I flip between the two because I love the sets Hurley runs on offense but they don't leave a lot of room for freelancing with the dribble. I am still not sure where things stand on that and will have to see going forward.

Still not a fan of how Jackson has pretty much stopped looking for his shot inside the three-point line. He had a gorgeous floater for two years and hasn't taken one in months. Not to mention just attacking the rim. I love that he is unselfish but he needs to shoot sometimes. Teams are playing him to pass it.

 

[alphasigko]

He played very good and involved, However, still cant get around his defender and that one shot he made was kind of forced.

It wasn't just "forced", it was a prayer that went in. He was as surprised as everyone else.

 

[mauconnfan]

Agree, but he wasn't doing this against bad teams for awhile now.

Honestly, I am not sure if he can do it against good teams, but it seemed he wasn't even trying for awhile. I'm lost on the correct term to use, but for a stretch it seemed the team was too over coached/well coached. I flip between the two because I love the sets Hurley runs on offense but they don't leave a lot of room for freelancing with the dribble. I am still not sure where things stand on that and will have to see going forward.

Still not a fan of how Jackson has pretty much stopped looking for his shot inside the three-point line. He had a gorgeous floater for two years and hasn't taken one in months. Not to mention just attacking the rim. I love that he is unselfish but he needs to shoot sometimes. Teams are playing him to pass it.

Agree with most everything here caw, but Andre's offense never had anything I would call "gorgeous" did he? Maybe a couple passes here and there, or a dunk but actual shooting wise, not even his floater had any prettiness to it.

 

[HooperScooper]

“All year (coaches) have been telling me to be aggressive, attack the paint to score,” Newton said after Wednesday’s game, an 82-79 loss to Xavier. “I feel like I’m at my best when I attack to score, get to the free throw line and when I attack, draw two, kick it to my shooters and our bigs.”

Confidence is key for UConn point guard Tristen Newton and Dan Hurley thinks he’s unlocked it

Paul Gutierrez, head boys basketball coach at Burges High in El Paso, Texas, knew he had a special talent on his hands when Tristen Newton came up. Tucked away in the western corner of the state, a…

www.courant.com

Alternate free access:

Confidence is key for UConn point guard Tristen Newton and Dan Hurley thinks he’s unlocked it​

 

[Rocktheworld]

“All year (coaches) have been telling me to be aggressive, attack the paint to score,” Newton said after Wednesday’s game, an 82-79 loss to Xavier. “I feel like I’m at my best when I attack to score, get to the free throw line and when I attack, draw two, kick it to my shooters and our bigs.”

Confidence is key for UConn point guard Tristen Newton and Dan Hurley thinks he’s unlocked it

Paul Gutierrez, head boys basketball coach at Burges High in El Paso, Texas, knew he had a special talent on his hands when Tristen Newton came up. Tucked away in the western corner of the state, a…

www.courant.com

Alternate free access:

Confidence is key for UConn point guard Tristen Newton and Dan Hurley thinks he’s unlocked it​

If the coaches have been telling him this all year, why have we seen so little of it? Is it really his “laid back” personality? Frankly, to me, the idea of Hurley recruiting a “laid back” lead guard doesn’t make a ton of sense.