Debating which backcourt player makes biggest difference in UConn vs. Purdue
While Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey will steal headlines ahead of the National Championship on Monday, UConn and Purdue boast no shortage of backcourt talent. In a conversation with Andy Staples, On3’s James Fletcher III revealed which guard will be the most important in the massive matchup.
“It comes down to Tristen Newton,” Fletcher said. “He has been the guy who has stepped up when they have hit this this extra level that they have. You look back at last year’s UConn team and Tristan Newton was a guy who played a role through most of the year. He was a good solid guy that they could count on.
“But, once they got to the NCAA tournament, he was the one who who hit that that next step in his evolution as a player and really elevated them above all the other teams that they were facing when they went on that dominant run and took the national title game in a blowout fashion.
“He comes back this year he’s been consistently that player from start to finish. If he can be that guy that they’ve gotten, and gotten consistently, I think this UConn team definitely has the upper hand.”
Newton has not been as effective in the NCAA Tournament as he was in the regular season. His scoring and rebounding averages have slightly dropped in the postseason along with his 3-point percentage.
Nonetheless, there’s no doubt Newton can step up when necessary. In UConn’s win over San Diego State in the National Championship last season, Newton tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. For reference, Newton averaged a mere 7.6 points per game in the rest of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
The nation is not worried about Newton’s abilities. On Saturday, the sixth-year senior was named the winner of the 2024 Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the best point guard in the nation.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition,” Newton said. “Credit to my teammates and coaches for always putting me in position to succeed and put the team in the best position to win games. This would not be possible without the success of our team and I am hungry to keep going in the Final Four.”
Tristen Newton only has one game left to continue to build his legacy at UConn. Don’t expect the veteran point guard to miss the opportunity. On Monday, UConn and Purdue will square off at 9:20 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on TBS.