This is not correct. They eliminated no-sit grad transfers when the implemented the one-time no-sit transfer rule.
Watson
- Thread starter CycloneVet
- Start date
This is not correct. They eliminated no-sit grad transfers when the implemented the one-time no-sit transfer rule.
That's not true anymore. With the new transfer rule, grad students have no special status
The one thing with Ward too is he missed a lot of the offseason with visa issues. That is a lot of development time that was lost. Give him a full offseason of training with KG and he will be an animal next year
Scoring average has dipped below 2 (1.8 ppg) I know that's not what we need him to do right now, but can he at least start to contribute a tiny bit on that end? Guys calling the came for ESPNU last night mentioned at a couple different points when he was in that K-State was basically playing us 5 on 4 when we had possession. I went back and looked and sure enough, Watson is left alone in the baseline corner often. Doesn't help when he justifies it either. 2 airballs last night on wide open 3's. He needs to hit those to keep getting so many minutes IMO. Seems like we'll see less of him unless he starts to hit a few down the stretch. Jaz coming back will probably limit his minutes. Love the effort he brings defensively, but right now he isn't giving us a whole lot more than Jaden Walker was at this time a year ago.
He had such a solid performance at KU. I think he's still capable of being that guy.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
I think part of it is simply needing him fulfill the role of spacing the floor due to the rotations and a possible lack of shooters in certain lineups. He is solid in pretty much every other way, so if his minutes decline, IMO it will be because we're so deep at that position with Jaz back.
When both Watson and Lipsey are out there, that’s 2 guys that other teams don’t have to guard out past 10 ft or so.
KSU wasn’t even guarding Lipsey on the perimeter at all by the end of the game.
KSU wasn’t even guarding Lipsey on the perimeter at all by the end of the game.
Lipsey is a solid 3 point stroke away from being as good as Dean Oliver for us. I hope he can develop it over time. If he was even serviceable--like 30%--would do wonders for his game and our offense.
Next year we have Watson and Hamilton as our options at the 3. After center this would have to be our 2nd portal priority unless TJ plans on giving some of these minutes to a very athletic 4. Fortunately I think we'll have one of those. Yes, I'm aware we may only have one available.
He is solid. Just not a box score guy yet. Which is ok for a freshman, but if he's going to remain involved and be a part of the rotation for years to come, he's going to have to really work on his offensive game. You can throw him out there to give 5-10 minutes of tough defense and grab rebounds every night, but anymore than that, he is a liability until he can improve some. I like the kid, so hope he figure it out and doesn't go the path of Jaden Walker. TJ is still playing him, so he is pretty far from Jaden Walker territory still at this point. Their box score stats are eerily similar though.
Be the perfect game for those two to let it rip. A little confidence and we just went to another level.
I think some of those guys get left so open that it gets in their head and affects their shot. I'm ok with him taking them unless it becomes a trend. I'd also like to see him slash towards the hoop a little more since he's got the athleticism for it.
I like Watson a lot and could see him making a huge jump next year. IIRC, I think it was him that had a nice effort tip-out for an offensive rebound late in the game at a crucial time. TJ also isn't afraid to have him on the court late, which is a good sign of his confidence in him.
In the end, he's a freshman playing in big games in the best conference. It's great experience.
TJ was bringing Watson in for Grill on defense down the stretch, only because Grill was obviously not 100%, but that out-of-bounds play by KSt with 30 seconds left was a big lapse by either Watson or Gabe.
I like what you said here about him slashing to the basket. He is athletic and quick enough to get to the rack, and he generally has a wide open path to the basket when he catches it in the corner. The airballing 3's have been an ongoing issue all season for him. He seems to either make the shot (23.5%) or airball it with nothing in between. Would love to see him just take it to the rack and either force the defense to guard him or foul him.
Watson's first set of minutes last night were really productive, but he definitely had some freshman moments later on between the airballed 3s and losing the guy on an inbounds.
It seems more like growing pains than a sign that he won't be a contributor in the future.
It seems more like growing pains than a sign that he won't be a contributor in the future.
Exact thoughts.....you know he will continue to work on shooting to keep other teams honest.
I actually said to folks i was watching the game with last night....wait till next year (we see it this year already)...but Tamin will be spin-cycling defenders and going to the hole at will.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
I think what might be underestimated here is the fact that defense is so important to TJ's system that you're not going to see the floor unless you do it right. So as a freshman, he has probably spent the bulk of his time and efforts in getting that right. Next year could see a big jump as he is able to expand his game and work on his offensive skills more.
Even with the bad 3pt attempts last night, i still really like Watson on D and on the glass.
He just has 0 confidence on Offense. That will come eventually.
He just has 0 confidence on Offense. That will come eventually.
I think that was more on Gabe and Osun guarding the inbounder. Osun needs to take away the pass under the baskets. Gabe got screened, Watson switched off, otherwise they would have had a layup on the other side of the basket. Gabe needs to go under the screen to either stay on his guy or be in position to take Watson’s guy on the switch.
In the second half, the lineup with Watson was able to open up a bit of a lead. He didn't score but seemed to make the play go our way. He's a keeper.
