I like the Newton signing. He and Givance were far and away Evansville's best players the last 2 years. He is more athletic than Verplancken. He was averaging 13.8 points and an impressive 5.8 rebounds before he hurt his knee. He came back for their mvc tourney game, but aggravated the knee injury. If he is 100% recovered, it is an excellent signing. He is a proven scorer. He can score from the outside or drive to the hoop. He is very good at scoring through contact. He is a guy who can go get his shot, which we need.
He can score from the outside, but 3-point shooting has not been a strength over his career.
Yes, very true, he is just an average 3 point shooter. Verplancken was a much better 3 point shooter. However, Newton is more athletic and much more of a scorer and rebounder than Verplancken. Newton has a pull up jumper, turn around jumper, can drive, and is very athletic around the rim. Also, Newton is a very good free throw shooter and gets to the line exponentially more than Verplancken did. This is not to say I didn't like Verplancken, I did. It's just that Newton is way more of a scorer and rebounder, both of which SIU really needs in a guard.
SVP was a stellar 3-point shooter - one of the best in the league - but Newton has a stellar mid-range pull-up game from the games I watched. I think he'll be a great fit; now on to see who fills the last scholarship!
Seems like we are loaded at the 1, 2, & 5 spots. Our only players who fit the 3-4 spots are Domask and D’Amico. I’d really like to get a stretch 4 (or two) so we can play Domask at the 3. I hate to admit it, but the miss on Payton did hurt a little bit.
Seems like we are loaded at the 1, 2, & 5 spots. Our only players who fit the 3-4 spots are Domask and D’Amico. I’d really like to get a stretch 4 (or two) so we can play Domask at the 3. I hate to admit it, but the miss on Payton did hurt a little bit.
I think you can play Foster a bit at the 3 given his 6'5 size. Maybe Newton too although he's 6'3, but a decent rebounder. Neither are great defensively though.
I don't know if the staff expected to lose Verplancken but it's a nice save if they didn't. Think Verplancken might be slightly better but Newton provides more scoring, which this team needs.
He was 375th in the country in defensive rebounding % and 164th in turnover rate, so he takes care of the ball.
We're basically in the same position now that we were in before the Verplancken transfer. Still think the next transfer needs to be another athletic scorer that can start at the 3/4.
Newton is a better scorer and rebounder than Verplancken. Verplancken is definitely a better 3-point shooter, but curious why you think he is "slightly better?"
@salukiworld Guess we were on the same wave length on the strong need for an athletic 3/4. But I also question why you think Verplancken is better than Newton. I’m pretty sure the Verplancken transfer was unexpected. So, in that regard it was a very good signing. We still need at least one more impact recruit!
I don't know if the staff expected to lose Verplancken but it's a nice save if they didn't. Think Verplancken might be slightly better but Newton provides more scoring, which this team needs.
He was 375th in the country in defensive rebounding % and 164th in turnover rate, so he takes care of the ball.
We're basically in the same position now that we were in before the Verplancken transfer. Still think the next transfer needs to be another athletic scorer that can start at the 3/4.
Newton is a better scorer and rebounder than Verplancken. Verplancken is definitely a better 3-point shooter, but curious why you think he is "slightly better?"
It's possible it was a product of the team around him (which was awful) but Newton came in at a -11.5 OBPR, -1.2 DBPR, -12.8 BPR last season compared to Verplancken's 3.4 OBPR, 0.2 DBPR, 3.6 BPR.
Also, Newton had injury problems last year, he was better the year before (0.5 OBPR, -4.9 DBPR, -4.4 BPR)
I think the staff would rather have Verplancken but Newton is a nice replacement and can score.
This is how bad Evansville was collectively as a team last year:
SV is a great guy but his ability to only score as a stationary shooter really hurt his game. Newton is a much better player just look at his numbers in the Valley games compared to SV.
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1521212708225523713
"Jawaun has proven over the last couple years in this league that he is a dynamic player who can score at all three levels," Mullins said. "What separates him from many others is his ability to be a two-way player. He is a great defender who embraces the challenge on that end."
"I've been doubted my whole career," Newton said. "Out of high school, I didn't have any offers, and luckily, Evansville took a chance on me. I still feel like I'm doubted. I let my game do the talking. I know what kind of player I am and what I bring to the table."
"Winning is all Jawaun talks about, and that's what I love," Mullins said. "I have tremendous respect for (Evansville) Coach (Todd) Lickliter, his program and this league. The Valley has proven teams in this league can beat anyone in the country and that is because there are really good players in this league."
I don't know if the staff expected to lose Verplancken but it's a nice save if they didn't. Think Verplancken might be slightly better but Newton provides more scoring, which this team needs.
He was 375th in the country in defensive rebounding % and 164th in turnover rate, so he takes care of the ball.
We're basically in the same position now that we were in before the Verplancken transfer. Still think the next transfer needs to be another athletic scorer that can start at the 3/4.
Newton is a better scorer and rebounder than Verplancken. Verplancken is definitely a better 3-point shooter, but curious why you think he is "slightly better?"
It's possible it was a product of the team around him (which was awful) but Newton came in at a -11.5 OBPR, -1.2 DBPR, -12.8 BPR last season compared to Verplancken's 3.4 OBPR, 0.2 DBPR, 3.6 BPR.
Also, Newton had injury problems last year, he was better the year before (0.5 OBPR, -4.9 DBPR, -4.4 BPR)
I think the staff would rather have Verplancken but Newton is a nice replacement and can score.
This is how bad Evansville was collectively as a team last year:
I really like Verplancken, great kid, good shooter. However, I think Newton is definitely a better overall player. He is much more dynamic and athletic than Verplancken. He can score in many ways and is a much better rebounder. I think their defense is pretty much a wash. You can't completely go by analytics. He will be a better defender on a team that plays much better team defense than Evansville. I highly doubt SIU would rather have Verplancken. Newton brings attributes SIU really needs. Ability to score in many ways and get your own shot. Ability to get to the free throw line. Ability to rebound.
@dawg88 that’s not ENTIRELY true. Aside from spotting up, SVP had a pretty nasty 10-15 foot dribble-post fadeaway. But I agree with your sentiment, Newton will be a much more rounded bucket scorer.
@dirtydale It is worth noting that Newton had a higher scoring average and higher rebounding average then Coupet.
@dirtydale It is worth noting that Newton had a higher scoring average and higher rebounding average then Coupet.
Newton's points are likely going to drop a bunch now that he's not the sole focus of the offense. He was 2nd in possessions and shots at Evansville behind Givance. He was 268th in the country in shot % and 390th in the country in possession %. Might lead to more efficiency though.
Aight then!
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
@salukiworld You may very well be correct. Depends on how much playing time he gets also. As you said, he was a focal point of their offense just as Lance Jones was of our's...if indeed we even had focal point in our offense. And, he also had higher averages in both categories than Lance. I'm just saying I would not sell this guy short.
