Barton’s role increasing for Beavers

Challe Barton says he expected to play "about five minutes a game" his first season in Corvallis.

But Sunday, the freshman guard found himself in the Beavers' starting lineup.

In an attempt to neutralize Washington's backcourt speed, coach Craig Robinson chose to start three guards for the first time all year, so Barton replaced forward Joe Burton.

Barton picked up two early fouls and ended up playing only 10 minutes, but the fact that he got his first collegiate start in one of Oregon State's biggest games of the season speaks for itself.

"I'm playing a lot more than I thought I would," Barton deadpanned.

Barton is either the first or second guard off the bench for OSU.

He splits the duty with sophomore Roberto Nelson, though Nelson averages 11 more minutes per game than Barton.

Barton has played more of late, logging at least eight minutes four games in a row. Had Barton stayed out of foul trouble against the Huskies, Robinson estimates he would have played "16 or so" minutes.

Barton's defense is primarily what's gotten him on the court. Robinson has said Barton is one of the team's best perimeter defenders.

"My role is to come in and get some big stops for the team," Barton said.

Because Robinson doesn't want to wear Jared Cunningham out by playing him at the point, it's often Barton who runs the show when starter Ahmad Starks isn't in.

"On the offensive end, I just want to be a contributor, get other people points," Barton said. "I'm not too worried about myself right now. I just want to keep the team going forward and not make any mistakes."

Barton considers himself a pass-first point guard. He only averages 0.8 assists per game, but that's not necessarily reflective of his passing ability.

"It's not only about assists, it's about how you get the team going — calling the right play at the right moment and things like that," Barton said.

Barton doesn't shoot much — he's shot more than three shots in a game just three times in Pac-12 play — but he says that will come with time.

"If I'm open, I'm taking the shot," Barton said. "I shot a lot back home in high school, it'll come more and more."

Back home, for Burton, is Goteborg, Sweden.

Barton's father coached professional basketball overseas, and perhaps the fact that he's a coach's son explains why Barton is regarded as one of the team's biggest leaders.

"What I see from him is a growth in confidence, a growth in actual basketball skills and, most importantly, a growth in leadership," Robinson said.

Tuesday wasn't the first time Robinson has pointed out Barton's ability to lead

Leadership has been a buzzword for this year's team, as no one has emerged as a true vocal leader.

When asked who may fill that void down the road, Robinson has been quick to throw out Barton's name as a legitimate possibility.

"I think he might be one of those guys who will eventually evolve as one of our more vocal leaders," Robinson said.

The Beavers' leading scorer, and most experienced player, agreed.

"His leadership skills are through the roof right now," Cunningham said. "He teaches me some stuff, he tells me what to do so I'm very receptive to that."

"He's starting to understand things better so he's more confident in giving advice to other guys," Robinson said.

Not only has Barton had to gain an understanding of the Oregon State system, he's also had to gain an understanding of the American game.

There were rules Barton didn't know coming from Sweden, such as the five-second rule and the fact that you can call timeouts when the ball is live.

Barton said he's adjusting to the new set of rules, but there's still new things "that pop up here and there."

The thing Barton has struggled with the most is the shot clock. In Sweden, they have 24 seconds to get off a shot, 11 seconds less than the 35-second NCAA shot clock.

"Sometimes the coaches feel like I shoot the quick shots, but in my opinion it's not as quick because back home there'd only be like five seconds left on the shot clock, and here there'd be like 20 seconds," Barton said.

Off the court, Barton said Corvallis isn't much different than Sweden.

"The weather is the same and the people act the same," Barton said.

He says the biggest difference is the way basketball players are viewed.

"Back home it didn't mean anything to play basketball," Barton said. "Over here it's like ‘you're a superstar, you're a basketball player.'"

Barton may have a long way to go before superstardom, but for now, he's doing what he's being asked to do, which is exactly what the Beavers need from their role players down the stretch.

Grady Garrett, sports editor

Twitter: @gradygarrett

sports@dailybarometer.com