Demarion Watson

madguy30

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Don't think Its possible

Maybe Heise is better in practice than Watson but I think its pretty clear that he is better than Heise on gameday. Pretty sure a good coaching staff (we have a good one) can make that observation and adjust.

I would think it's pretty nuts to have Watson playing guard to give ISU's staring guards a spell or to disrupt opponents' backcourts but I'll eat crow if it happens and works.
 

rosshm16

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He’s been great these last few games, if this is his consistent form it’s hard to see him not getting meaningful time still when Milan comes back.
 

Frak

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So when Milan comes back he should go back to the bench and never play again unless someone gets hurt?
I don’t believe that. I think that they’ll slowly work Milan back in. And we’ll go to more of a 9 man rotation where Watson gets less time if Milan is on. I have always been critical of TJs use of the bench during noncon blowouts. I think when you’re up 30, the bench guys should see more time. But I don’t have a problem with what he’s done in conference season. Watson does not have the offensive skill to make much of a dent in the rotation.
 
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rosshm16

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I hope Heise can find his game on offense. It’s weird seeing a guy who was such a good shooter/scorer in a solid mid-major conference struggle so much.
 

madguy30

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As good as he is on defense in general, he got blown by on the perimeter a few times in the first half today. Heise is definitely the better on-ball perimeter defender.

I wonder if people see him listed as a guard and so think he plays that but he's more of 3/4 type that scraps for rebounds.
 

cyclone87

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Really like DWat, he always says the right things in interviews I’ve heard of him. Seems like he’s kept himself ready to contribute even when he wasn’t playing. Similar to last year when he had that big game against OU without playing much before that. Seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I generally trust the next guy in is going to be ready with the coaching staff and culture we have here right now.
 

cyclone87

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I hope Heise can find his game on offense. It’s weird seeing a guy who was such a good shooter/scorer in a solid mid-major conference struggle so much.
Yea, I don’t know. Would like to see him a little more aggressive on offense and take a couple more shots sometimes. But i suppose it’s a fine line, especially in tight games.
 
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rosshm16

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It’s not just the threes either, he’s been getting the ball near the rim on a lot of sharp back-cuts and then just not shooting it.
 

SolterraCyclone

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Heise being a solid scoring threat raises the ceiling for this team. I do not think that we can win a NC or even make a FF without that happening.
I don’t necessarily agree with this. Jones, Gilbert, Jefferson, and Milan (if he comes back 100%) give us 4 legit scorers. Plus Lipsey if we need him and Jackson is solid for 8-10 a night. That’s plenty of options for scoring to make a FF.

To me, Heise vs Watson is a matchup deal. If we need a D guy for a 4 or a big wing, or if we’re struggling to rebound, Watson should play. If we need D on a smaller 3 or a 4th guard, throw Heise out there.
 

NoCreativity

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Heise being a solid scoring threat raises the ceiling for this team. I do not think that we can win a NC or even make a FF without that happening.
You're putting too much stock into a bench player. If Milan could elevate his game when he returns then we are talking.

We are 18-2 right now and Heise has the worst metrics on the team of any rotation player and its not even close.
 

Frak

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You're putting too much stock into a bench player. If Milan could elevate his game when he returns then we are talking.

We are 18-2 right now and Heise has the worst metrics on the team of any rotation player and its not even close.
I’m sorry, but there are 4 guards on the roster if Nojus can’t be trusted. 3 are starting. Even if Milan eventually regains his starting role, Heise is going to be a major part of the rotation. He needs to be, because we need that extra ball handler and perimeter defender. My point is that if your major rotation players that are no threat to score (like Heise and Watson), that makes things more difficult for everyone. But if they are an actual threat, the ceiling of the team rises.
 

rosshm16

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Without Milan we are absolutely missing a guard who can come off the bench and score. That’s a big hole. Curtis played all 40 minutes today. Had a career-high but he can’t play that much every game. With Heise in we’re basically playing 4-on-5 on offense, it’s like Tamin freshman year without the driving and finishing.
 
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AuH2O

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You're putting too much stock into a bench player. If Milan could elevate his game when he returns then we are talking.

We are 18-2 right now and Heise has the worst metrics on the team of any rotation player and its not even close.
Where do you view metrics? On the season as a whole, the net adjusted team efficiency when each player on the floor is actually highest with Heise above everyone else. His BPR is 6th, ahead of Jackson, Chatfield, Watson and Nojus. This is per EvanMiya.

He clearly is not confident right now on offense, but the stats say when he has been on the court the team has played well.
 

Cyclonepride

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Even when Milan comes back, Watson has shown he's deserving of minutes. Even if its only 6-7 a game he should still have a role.
If we need some energy, if we need some rebounding, if we need some defense, if we need to stop a guy that has been torching us from the 4 spot, if Jefferson or Momcilovic is in foul trouble. He's a tremendous asset to have.
 
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