Demarion Watson Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter CYdTracked
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He earned few more minutes, but dont see how you slot a significant amount of minutes his way. If Tre wasn't in foul trouble he wouldnt have played. Needs to add some offense in the offseason - gives us something to look fwd to for next year.
I think he's plenty big to play the four as he bulked up quite a bit since last year. Any more and he might lose some quickness and explosiveness.
Totally agree with the rest of it.
Premature look ahead to starting lineup next year, obviously not knowing who transfers in and out - it will be fascinating to see if Watson continues to progress to a higher level than Billiew and how their minutes shake out; they both look like prime contenders to play the 4 spot, with Lipsey, Gilbert, and Milan locked in to start. Do they split minutes? Does Omaha get significant run at the 5 depending on how BXII-ready Rock and/or a transfer are? Does CJo continue to play 6th man role, or does he slip into a small ball starting lineup that pushes Milan to the 4? Some really dynamic lineup potentials for next season.
I think it's really this simple. If he puts in a ton of work in the offseason and develops offensive skills, he'll play a ton and probably start. If he doesn't develop his offensive skills significantly he won't start and his minutes may not even be that great.
I think he's going to make a big jump and be good next year, and maybe great. He's got great physical tools and plays his ass off.
Once you get well into the season with lots of games, I think by far the best metric is adjusted team efficiencies. I hate Torvik's individual player metrics because they are completely overweighted to an individual "possession" being determined by that player generating a stat. That does a terrible job telling what really matters, which is how well the team plays when you are on the court. Instead it dramatically over-inflates the shoot it only if you are wide open kind of guys and dramatically penalizes the guys that are asked to run the offense and create at higher volumes.
But there are two major important things that the data shows: https://evanmiya.com/?player_ratings
1. Not too surprising to most, but of the 9 guys that get significant minutes, there's a significant dropoff in the teams adjusted offensive efficiency with Watson on the floor vs. the other 8. Now, I think last night was not a fluke and a lot more of a coming out party for Watson, and if he can stay aggressive cutting and being willing to take some shots, he's going to boost that drastically.
2. More surprising at face value is the team's adjusted defense also dips vs. the others aside from Pavs. I think Watson IS a great defender, both in transition and in the half-court. But I think it's pretty much entirely a function of #1. If the offense is significantly worse, that means more missed shots and turnovers, which gives the opponent an opportunity to score in transition. And it is WAY easier to score on ISU when they can't get their half-court D set up. Missed shots and turnovers are how that can happen.
So I think with even a minor boost in offensive production, it's going to have a big impact on both ends of the court. And to be fair to Watson, it's super hard to play limited minutes and produce. That's a great credit to him that he has always remained ready to produce in a really tough role.
But let's be clear. TJ knows exactly what the hell he's doing.
I thought Watson looks like he was put on some lbs from last year for sure. I am not concerned at all about him being strong enough to play a ton of mins at the 4 based on that. Sure, there will be some guys that are stronger that can push him around, but he can offset that with his athleticism.
I think Watson is a better shooter than most think. He just needs opportunities and confidence. If I remember correctly, he shot a lot of threes in high school and was pretty successful.
He is still pretty darn thin. I think he can put on a little more "grown man" muscle without losing that quick twitch explosiveness.
He's listed on the roster at 6'7, 220. Tre King is the same height at 230, so unless there are some weight shenanigans going on, that's good weight for what we ask him to do.
It's tough being consistent when you play as few minutes as DM (and Pav).
Even tough, at least on the psyche, is having a good game, followed by being a non-factor next game, due to matchup s or the starters playing really well and not getting into foul trouble. See Pav vs WVU followed by OU. To their credit, both seem to be ready when called upon.
Even tough, at least on the psyche, is having a good game, followed by being a non-factor next game, due to matchup s or the starters playing really well and not getting into foul trouble. See Pav vs WVU followed by OU. To their credit, both seem to be ready when called upon.
Watson had his Jakolby Long game. For his sake, and ours, I hope it turns into Jakolby Long game(s) plural
He definitely looks more than 10 lbs bulkier than Demarion for sure. Still think Demarion is a good size for what we want him to do.
I want to preface this post that I am not complaining, I know this staff knows way more than me and today was a great win. Just a discussion.
I am a bit surprised Watson has not earned some time in the rotation. I totally understand that with Milan back that was going to eat into his minutes but I think a lineup with the 3 guards, Jefferson and Watson OR 2 of the 3 guards, Milan, Jefferson and Watson could be effective. Flexibility on defense and on offense you can spread it out and open up room for Watson to crash the offensive boards or be ready for lobs from driving guards or passes from Jefferson operating out of the high post. He is really our only above the rim player. Obviously didn't need it for this game but I just think those are lineups that give us a little different dimension and could be more effective against teams with more length and athleticism.
I am a bit surprised Watson has not earned some time in the rotation. I totally understand that with Milan back that was going to eat into his minutes but I think a lineup with the 3 guards, Jefferson and Watson OR 2 of the 3 guards, Milan, Jefferson and Watson could be effective. Flexibility on defense and on offense you can spread it out and open up room for Watson to crash the offensive boards or be ready for lobs from driving guards or passes from Jefferson operating out of the high post. He is really our only above the rim player. Obviously didn't need it for this game but I just think those are lineups that give us a little different dimension and could be more effective against teams with more length and athleticism.
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Very unselfish guy. His reaction on the bench when Milan hit his first three was awesome! Hope he takes advantage of whatever time he gets. I, also, don’t question the coaches decisions but…I do think he brings more then a couple getting way too many minutes!
Seems like he deserves more time but at this rate it wouldn’t surprise me if he transfers.
IMO Chat. Seems like a great guy and I don't want rag on our players but I am just not sure what he brings outside of setting some hard screens.
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
It was nice seeing Curtis go back to being the 6th man and the offense looking way better (although Gilbert had 5 turnovers and 0 FT attempts)... I'm still surprised Watson only got 3 minutes. He played really well while Milan was out and deserves to be in the rotation, especially over Heise. Makes no sense to me.
Ok but he doesn’t play even close to the same position as DWat. You can’t play Jefferson and Jackson all game.
So by the original post they want Heise and Keshon? Curt? Tamin? Milan? To play less?
