Newton steps forward down stretch for Blue Devils

Greg Newton has waited two long years for his chance on the court. Now that he has gotten it, he is marching to the beat of his own drum.

After spending most of his freshman and sophomore years watching Cherokee Parks from the Duke bench, Newton has finally landed a starting spot on the team. He is one of only two players to start every game of the season this year, and he has responded by leading the team in rebounding and averaging double figures in scoring.

"It's a matter of confidence, basically and other people around me telling me that I can play," Newton said. "That really helps."

The season has not been all roses for the 6-foot-10 junior, however. In the first half of the year, Newton was plagued by inconsistency. After opening the season with an 18-point performance against Old Dominion in the Great Alaska Shootout, Newton was virtually nonexistent in the following night's game against Indiana. Fans wondered if he would be able to hold his own against the perennially talented big men of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Newton has showed that he can-most of the time. He has gradually improved throughout the season, and Newton proved that he could step up and perform in big-game situations.

Against Wake Forest, he poured in 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds against superstar Tim Duncan in his best performance of the season.

Two weeks later, Newton posted a double-double against defending national UCLA, recording 12 points and 12 rebounds in a key victory for the Blue Devils.

"It's gone back to the way I played in high school, really," Newton said. "I figured nobody could beat me in high school, and I kind of think that's the way I'm playing now. My game's picking up."

But it's not just numbers that get Newton attention on the court. He has played this season with an intensity not unlike that of teammate Chris Collins, screaming and chest-bumping after big plays. On top of that, Newton has sported a new, more alternative style on the floor. He has cropped his hair short, grown sideburns, and added a tattoo to his body. He has even pierced his tongue.

"It definitely helps," Newton said of his newfound enthusiasm. "It keeps me in the game, and it keeps my teammates in the game. Chris does the same thing and he does well for what he does...maybe I'll get the same reaction out of my game."

As for his new look, he says, "I like doing what I do, basically. I like to be different. That's the way I live life."

Newton was forced to make some alterations in the way he lived life after he was suspended for academic dishonesty in the spring of his sophomore year. The experience taught him some valuable and painful lessons, and he has rededicated himself in the classroom.

"It's motivated me off the court," Newton said. "Last year was an unfortunate incident. I just want to make sure it never comes to that again."

Newton has found that success outside of basketball has translated to improvement on the court, as well.

"It gives you confidence, and you're happy," Newton said. "If the grades are going well, then the basketball tends to go well also."

Last year aside, Newton's role will be even more prominent in the upcoming ACC tournament. With Collins probably on the bench for the tournament with a sprained foot, Newton will be called on to fill some of the scoring void created by Collins' absence.

So if the tall, lanky guy with the sideburns is yelling and screaming, expect Duke's chances to be good in this year's postseason.