Freshman expectations for Cupps and Newton

[RaceToTheTop 31,261]

Thuoghts?

Currently Torvik's expectation based on Indiana's current roster is:

Cupps 20.8 mpg, 5.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.9 apg

Newton 12.4 mpg, 3.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.3 apg.

I know that based on Woodson's past two years, those minutes seem high -- only JHS averaged more than 20.8 and Reneau was the only other one above 12.4 -- and any portal guard/wing signing will likely see Torvik decrease those minutes.  That said, I wondered what players of similar ratings/size had done as freshman in the past to see what typical expectations should be for them.

Cupps was ranked 90th in the last 247 rankings, Newton was 111th.  I compared Cupps to guards from the 2022 class that were close in size and ranking to him then did the same with Newton.  For Cupps I stuck with point guards, Newton I used either point or shooting since he's listed as a combo guard.  The five players I used for a Cupps comp were:  Holloman, Michigan State, Isaacs, Texas Tech, McDaniel, Michigan, Nunez, Arizona State, and Abram, Ole Miss.  The five I used for the Newton comp were Abram, Ole Miss, Edwards, Tennessee, Harris, Illinois, Hausen, Villanova, and Shelby, Vanderbilt.

The five players from the Cupps comp averaged:

23.4 minutes/game, 6.2 shots per game (39% fg), 3 three point shots/game (34%0, 1.2 free throws, (75%), 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.4 turnovers, 6.8 points.

The five players from the Newton comp averaged:

11.6 minutes/game, 3.6 shots per game (42%), 2 three point shots/game (36%), 0.5 ft (62%,), 1.1 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.4 steal, 0.6 turnovers, 3.8 points.

[Stuhoo 89,763]

I could see Gabe Cupps playing a lot. His primary strength is that he’s apparently a great decision maker. That translates to early playing time.

[Scotty R 3,765]

The Indianapolis Star had a really good article about Newton today. I read the actual newspaper and I can't link the Indy Star website since it is a pay site.

[Alford Bailey 13,228]

I hope Newton is 100% healthy. If so I see both these guys contributing similar to numbers above.

[Tasmanian Devil 1,911]

I think both players are going to surprise a lot of people. Newton had the meniscus surgery, but he should be 100% by the time he gets to IU.

Gabe isn’t the athlete Newton is, but he’s very polished. If you could clone both into one player you’d really have something. Both are going to be solid pieces next year and IMO stars during their time as a Hoosier.

[HoosierAloha 30,102]

23 minutes ago, Tasmanian Devil said:

I think both players are going to surprise a lot of people. Newton had the meniscus surgery, but he should be 100% by the time he gets to IU.

Gabe isn’t the athlete Newton is, but he’s very polished. If you could clone both into one player you’d really have something. Both are going to be solid pieces next year and IMO stars during their time as a Hoosier.

I feel like this could be an entire thread about morphing two IU players into one and it would be a great time.

I look forward to both getting their feet wet as freshmen. I hope we can get some experienced leaders to bring them along as they physically and mentally mature at the college level.

[Tasmanian Devil 1,911]

6 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

I feel like this could be an entire thread about morphing two IU players into one and it would be a great time.

I look forward to both getting their feet wet as freshmen. I hope we can get some experienced leaders to bring them along as they physically and mentally mature at the college level.

Agreed. Having X back is big in that regard, although Trey will take on a lot of the leadership role this season.

[Stuhoo 89,763]

Mack Mgbako on the Hoosier Hysterics podcast today:

Question: “Has anyone surprised you? Have you been playing in the first few days where you’re like, wow; that guy is better than I even realized, or I didn’t even know that guy and now I’m really impressed by him. Who has stood out to you?”

Answer: “Probably Gabe Cupps. …He has a great impact. Making the right plays; taking great shots.”

[J34 1,639]

3 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Mack Mgbako on the Hoosier Hysterics podcast today:

Question: “Has anyone surprised you? Have you been playing in the first few days where you’re like, wow; that guy is better than I even realized, or I didn’t even know that guy and now I’m really impressed by him. Who has stood out to you?”

Answer: “Probably Gabe Cupps. …He has a great impact. Making the right plays; taking great shots.”

Winner