Demarion Watson

[Clonefan32]

No so much lost. More like, he has nothing going on offensively other than O rebounds and out backs/dunks at the rim. That won’t get fixed by playing in games more. That only gets fixed in practice.

Comfort has nothing to do with it. We’ve seen this now for 3 years in the same system.

It all comes down to trust. This is why I didn't agree with people in the Milan thread thinking Nojus was going to crack the rotation. Watson has some obvious offensive holes in his game, and there are several more well-rounded players on this roster. But in a big game down a starter and with minutes being filled-- TJ knows what he's going to get from Demarion. He's going to keep the ball moving on offense, and on defense he's going to guard and rebound. There's trust there.

 

[cyatheart]

Team like this, where you got plenty of options offensively, a guy like Watson is great. Can put him out there for 10 minutes and you know he will defend and rebound. Don't necessarily need another scorer all the time now.

 

[NENick]

Physically speaking, Watson should be the superior defender (both on ball and off), rebounder, and finisher. Particularly if had gotten as many minutes as Milan to get comfortable

It’s easy to forget that Watson got 14 minutes in our biggest game last season (loss to Illinois), and played better than Milan in that time imo. It’s likely we’ll play a team with that length on the perimeter again

The point being, this shouldn’t be an either/or imo. This staff is elite, but a wasted opportunity to not play guys like Watson when games aren’t competitive.

Making deep runs in March requires being able to win many ways and matching up with many types of opponents. It often requires guys being ready when injuries or foul trouble arise.

I believe that over the summer it became clear to the staff how the roster would shake out. There was a decision to be made on who would be the 8th man, Heise, Nojus or Watson. Fall practices left Watson at 10th man. Game performance resulted in Heise over Nojus.

This staff doesn't waste opportunities. And they've kept Watson ready to contribute. It wouldn't surprise me if Nojus fills a role against a different opponent. And I bet he will also be ready.

 

[madguy30]

To me it's pretty simple.

We're 15-1 and #2 in the country. TJ obviously has defined roles to everyone while still keeping everyone engaged and bought in at all times. Doesn't matter if they play 0 minutes or 30. Everyone is rowing the boat together.

I have zero reason to question how he has run the rotation and minute usage from minute 1 against Mississippi Valley State until last night. He knows what he is doing and so does his team.

In my opinion, there is nothing currently to critique with this team as far as player usage goes.

Bolded is the most important thing.

If a player knows why or why not he's playing and still feels valued and is mentally and physically ready to contribute I'm not sure what the issue is.

 

[AuH2O]

I'd recommend watching the game, it's pretty fun. Also, maybe hold your opinions on Watson until you actually see how he played. Looked ready to play from the jump, to me. I don't think he'd have played any differently with game time minutes in the non-con.

Exactly this. It isn't that he doesn't know what he's doing on offense. He knows his role and he fills it well. It's a skill, or confidence in that skill that limits him offensively. Maybe if it's a case of a guy that is knocking down shots at a high rate in practice but won't pull the trigger in games, I can see the benefit of more run in games.

But if just that he isn't a very good shooter or ball handler, his role is going to be what it is, and playing 10 minutes a game in a few more garbage buy games isn't going to make much, if any difference. It's not changing in-season, and he's in his 3rd year in the program, so maybe that never really changes. And that's alright.

We just don't know what goes on behind the scenes. Outside of post play/moves, there really is little to no coaching time spent on skill stuff. They just don't have time in season, nor is it really impactful. Guys become good shooters and ball handlers on their own time by putting in **** tons of hours. If a guy doesn't have the desire or time, then it isn't going to happen, and there's nothing a coach is going to do about it other than play him or not.

I think sometimes we forget that there are still quite a few kids that are student athletes, and spending 50 hours a week in the offseason or a bunch of extra hours in an already crazy in-season period just isn't in the cards with their academic goals and class demands.

If a kid is able to even stick with TJ on a team AND be a good student, then he's kicking ass in life and a great example. Maybe basketball isn't all-consuming for every player, but that doesn't mean he isn't working his ass off.

Either way, glad we have Watson as a Cyclone, whatever his role is moving forward.

 

[nfrine]

Everyone is talking around in circles on this.

You should understand that better than anyone.

 

[ClubCy]

I feel like you don’t understand the nuance here, and you can’t, or are choosing not to, understand what the general idea of most of the posters here are saying. Because if you did, this would not be the response to give.

I mean the guy has proven over the last 5 days that @NoCreativity simply doesn’t know ball.

Between this and not understanding that Heise made a difference in the TT game despite shooting 1-6. I am enjoying his posts. Nice entertainment when I need a break from work.

 

[Cyforce]

It all comes down to trust. This is why I didn't agree with people in the Milan thread thinking Nojus was going to crack the rotation. Watson has some obvious offensive holes in his game, and there are several more well-rounded players on this roster. But in a big game down a starter and with minutes being filled-- TJ knows what he's going to get from Demarion. He's going to keep the ball moving on offense, and on defense he's going to guard and rebound. There's trust there.

It’s going to depend on the situation. If it were a guard we’re down Nojus would get the minutes.

 

[cycloner29]

I mean the guy has proven over the last 5 days that @NoCreativity simply doesn’t know ball.

Between this and not understanding that Heise made a difference in the TT game despite shooting 1-6. I am enjoying his posts. Nice entertainment when I need a break from work.

But he sure talks up a lot of negativity.

 

[AllInForISU]

It’s going to depend on the situation. If it were a guard we’re down Nojus would get the minutes.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING!! We’ve already had a million hypotheticals with the Milan injury. This is about to start a hypothetical on top of a hypothetical!

 

[hoosman]

Can't remember if Hogue was a good jump shooter. He seemed to get a lot of garbage points, rebounds, steals, and he was maybe built better than Watson. You would think after thousands of hours of practice, there would be a certain shot that you can shoot with confidence. DW should at least work as a pick and roll guy and a weak side cutter.

 

[AllInForISU]

Can't remember if Hogue was a good jump shooter. He seemed to get a lot of garbage points, rebounds, steals, and he was maybe built better than Watson. You would think after thousands of hours of practice, there would be a certain shot that you can shoot with confidence. DW should at least work as a pick and roll guy and a weak side cutter.

39 percent career from 3 at ISU
43 percent from 3 senior year

 

[Cloned4Life]

Can't remember if Hogue was a good jump shooter. He seemed to get a lot of garbage points, rebounds, steals, and he was maybe built better than Watson. You would think after thousands of hours of practice, there would be a certain shot that you can shoot with confidence. DW should at least work as a pick and roll guy and a weak side cutter.

Respectfully, I do not see the Hogue comparison at all with Demarion. Dustin was a really good shooter (although his form looked weird). He made 50 3's in 2 seasons at 39%. He was a key starter/contributor (averaging close to 11pts and 7rbs per game over his career here), at honestly at times, was our most valuable player on the floor.

Demarion gave solid minutes night, and played way more than I thought he would. Like others here, I'm concerned with his severe lack of skill/offensive game (as this undoubtedly makes us easier to guard as a unit) but absolutely love his effort and athleticism, which of course helps offset some of his shortcomings.

 

[NoCreativity]

I'd recommend watching the game, it's pretty fun. Also, maybe hold your opinions on Watson until you actually see how he played. Looked ready to play from the jump, to me. I don't think he'd have played any differently with game time minutes in the non-con.

I was busy last night so didnt get to watch it. I just finished it. My take is he looked really good on D and rebounding, but he's obviously limited offensively and not a threat to shoot like Milan.

The good news is we have enough offensive firepower to make up for it.

In conclusion I'm not really concerned about him and this might actually make us a deeper and more experienced team when Milan returns.

 

[FinalFourCy]

I was busy last night so didnt get to watch it. I just finished it. My take is he looked really good on D and rebounding, but he's obviously limited offensively and not a threat to shoot like Milan.

The good news is we have enough offensive firepower to make up for it.

In conclusion I'm not really concerned about him and this might actually make us a deeper and more experienced team when Milan returns.

Yep, he’s an asset type that we otherwise lack. Best to utilize minutes that otherwise had/have minimal value to develop him. He’s got the physical tools, but feel and confidence could imp

 

[VeloClone]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING!! We’ve already had a million hypotheticals with the Milan injury. This is about to start a hypothetical on top of a hypothetical!

A hypothetical on top a hypothetical? That sounds like an SEC football schedule.

 

[VeloClone]

Respectfully, I do not see the Hogue comparison at all with Demarion. Dustin was a really good shooter (although his form looked weird). He made 50 3's in 2 seasons at 39%. He was a key starter/contributor (averaging close to 11pts and 7rbs per game over his career here), at honestly at times, was our most valuable player on the floor.

Demarion gave solid minutes night, and played way more than I thought he would. Like others here, I'm concerned with his severe lack of skill/offensive game (as this undoubtedly makes us easier to guard as a unit) but absolutely love his effort and athleticism, which of course helps offset some of his shortcomings.

And you forgot the most important difference - NO TOOTHPICK!

 

[Frak]

Respectfully, I do not see the Hogue comparison at all with Demarion. Dustin was a really good shooter (although his form looked weird). He made 50 3's in 2 seasons at 39%. He was a key starter/contributor (averaging close to 11pts and 7rbs per game over his career here), at honestly at times, was our most valuable player on the floor.

Demarion gave solid minutes night, and played way more than I thought he would. Like others here, I'm concerned with his severe lack of skill/offensive game (as this undoubtedly makes us easier to guard as a unit) but absolutely love his effort and athleticism, which of course helps offset some of his shortcomings.

I think that he did a great job. You're right, though, he's not an offensive threat at all outside of cutting to the hoop. That's going to allow teams to sag off of him and double off of him. And then, the driving lanes aren't there. I think that 10mpg is about right until Milan gets back. If it causes too big of an issue with our offense, I think that you'll see Nojus in there instead.

 

[AuH2O]

I think that he did a great job. You're right, though, he's not an offensive threat at all outside of cutting to the hoop. That's going to allow teams to sag off of him and double off of him. And then, the driving lanes aren't there. I think that 10mpg is about right until Milan gets back. If it causes too big of an issue with our offense, I think that you'll see Nojus in there instead.

We'll see, but I think it would take a big slump to go outside of huge minutes for the 7 guys and about 10 for Watson. It's possible, though.

I like Nojus. I think he got a lot better defensively and can make some plays off the bounce. But right now I think the emphasis is stealing minutes to keep Jefferson a little bit more fresh.

We know a lineup with Watson is going to be good on the defensive end, and hope that his activity on the glass can do enough to keep the offense from dipping too much. The problem that happened last year when he fell out of the rotation was that the offense was taking a hit too much and more missed shots/live ball turnovers on offense means more opportunities to score in transition and avoid ISUs wicked half-court defense.

But this years offense and shot-making is so much better that it can absorb a few minutes at a time. Between the rebounding, defense, and getting 10 minutes off the legs of some of the other guys, I think it will be tough to change from last night's plan, and Watson was absolutely value-added.

 

[AuH2O]

Can't remember if Hogue was a good jump shooter. He seemed to get a lot of garbage points, rebounds, steals, and he was maybe built better than Watson. You would think after thousands of hours of practice, there would be a certain shot that you can shoot with confidence. DW should at least work as a pick and roll guy and a weak side cutter.

It's really hard to think of an ISU comp for Demarion. That's a good question.

Hogue and Watson have played almost the same number of games (Hogue - 70, Watson - 69). Watson has 6 made 3P and Hogue had 50. Hogue's last game as a Cyclone he scored 34 against UConn.

Hogue was rugged and athletic, and was a lot more of a garbage guy his Jr. year. But he was always a pretty solid and confident shooter of the corner 3.

It isn't like Demarion and TJ haven't probably had all the conversations about what he needs to develop. It might be there, and he just hasn't had the confidence to turn it loose. Who knows.