Rocket Watts?

[Dabutlerdidit]

A guy at my work saw my UConn shirt (on Zoom) and it turned into a great convo.. he is Michigan St grad and said Rocket Watts was leaning toward either UConn or Baylor.

Izzo wanted him to be more of a pure point guard, pass first shoot second and it didn’t work out. …Rocket’s strengths are scoring and shooting... he needs the right fit.

would he be good for us?

Has anybody heard anything else about this?

 

[husky429]

Can't shoot. Pass.

 

[UCfor3]

I would take him.

 

[Ha Who]

Can't shoot. Pass.

How can someone with that name not shoot?

 

[phillionaire]

Rocket Watts presented by Rocket Mortgage

 

[BoukofJames]

Rocket Watts presented by Rocket Mortgage

That’s why he had to transfer... copyright issue

 

[auror]

He's shot well at the free throw line. His stroke looks pretty good. I'm not sure why he's shot it so poorly for 2 straight years from 3.

 

[rollskies]

He's shot well at the free throw line. His stroke looks pretty good. I'm not sure why he's shot it so poorly for 2 straight years from 3.

I’m not by any means defending his shooting numbers, but sometimes how you play can be a product of the system you are in. In this case I think he could play better on a different team because Michigan State was clearly not a good fit for him. I definitely would take him, but yeah he has to improve from 3. I always thought he had a decent looking stroke too, could be shot selection issues.

 

[Leebo]

I’m not by any means defending his shooting numbers, but sometimes how you play can be a product of the system you are in. In this case I think he could play better on a different team because Michigan State was clearly not a good fit for him. I definitely would take him, but yeah he has to improve from 3. I always thought he had a decent looking stroke too, could be shot selection issues.

Presumably the analytics the coaches have access to lets you see splits on wide open, lightly defended, and well-contested shots from various locations, etc. That might give a better picture of if he has more promise or not.

 

[Umami Zen]

Kentucky has offered on Rocket(another thread).. Seems like SEC BB schools are benefiting from SEC FB banking some money through their boosters/donors. If you know what I'm sayin'

 

[Greg]

Kentucky has offered on Rocket(another thread).. Seems like SEC BB schools are benefiting from SEC FB banking some money through their boosters/donors. If you know what I'm sayin'

Why that would be shocking, shocking I tell you, I mean unless Rocket refers to his ability to throw a 60 yard spiral into a thimble.

 

[MexicoHusky]

He can physically play at this level... right? That's something. I'd take him.

 

[Fishy]

He's shot well at the free throw line. His stroke looks pretty good. I'm not sure why he's shot it so poorly for 2 straight years from 3.

Because he’s a bad shooter.

 

[UconnU]

Because he’s a bad shooter.

Also did not play within Izzo system at all. More of an iso, volume kid. Good player. I’ll pass. We need a shooter, who can get open.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

He's shot well at the free throw line. His stroke looks pretty good. I'm not sure why he's shot it so poorly for 2 straight years from 3.

It's all right there. If we assume the OP's information is legit, Watts believes he can't play in Izzo's system. He wants off the ball. Maybe he believes he'll be much more efficient as a finisher than a creator.

I'd take him. He's excellent on the break, creates tons of fouls, and is a + defender.

 

[DayDayTFS]

Hurley recruited him initially IIRC, no surprise we’re involved.

 

[metsfan2323]

Definitely a big time athlete with talent. There is nothing functionally wrong with his shooting stroke. Could play either the 1 or 2 position. Of course we could use a player like this.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

It’s wild that people talk about Cole - who is basically a 40% three point shooter - like he can’t hit the broad side of a barn and then want to bring in a kid who actually can’t hit the broad side of a barn.

 

[AdamaNation]

How big is he? I can’t recall. 6’2”.

 

[SportsFan88]

It’s wild that people talk about Cole - who is basically a 40% three point shooter - like he can’t hit the broad side of a barn and then want to bring in a kid who actually can’t hit the broad side of a barn.

Good ole boneyard fun LOL

 

[gampelcrazies]

He wasn't great at MSU but I would take a flyer on him

 

[7774]

It’s wild that people talk about Cole - who is basically a 40% three point shooter - like he can’t hit the broad side of a barn and then want to bring in a kid who actually can’t hit the broad side of a barn.

The problem with Cole is he's not really a point guard, and he really struggled shooting against good teams.

Games against USC/Creighton/Villanova/Maryland: 19% from 2, 31% from 3.
Games against everyone else: 44% from 2, 42% from 3.

 

[rollskies]

It’s wild that people talk about Cole - who is basically a 40% three point shooter - like he can’t hit the broad side of a barn and then want to bring in a kid who actually can’t hit the broad side of a barn.

Same thing with Polley. There have been a lot of comments on here about how it’s no help if he comes back, but I guarantee if he was transferring from a different school the same people would be saying he is a “must get.” Make up your minds people 😂😂

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

The problem with Cole is he's not really a point guard, and he really struggled shooting against good teams.

Games against USC/Creighton/Villanova/Maryland: 19% from 2, 31% from 3.
Games against everyone else: 44% from 2, 42% from 3.

So by all means let's bring in a combo guard who is a much worse shooter.

 

[superjohn]

The problem with Cole is he's not really a point guard, and he really struggled shooting against good teams.

Games against USC/Creighton/Villanova/Maryland: 19% from 2, 31% from 3.
Games against everyone else: 44% from 2, 42% from 3.

RJ was 4th in the Big East in assists and every game there were non-assists because of our inability to make layups and catch hot passes near the rim.

 

[husky429]

So by all means let's bring in a combo guard who is a much worse shooter.

I have no idea why anyone would be thrilled by this interest, and I kind of doubt it's serious interest anyways.

What does Rocket bring that Gaffney doesn't?

 

[7774]

So by all means let's bring in a combo guard who is a much worse shooter.

Oh I don't think we should. I'm just saying when you throw out an aggregate percentage like that it's not really telling the whole story.

 

[auror]

Because he’s a bad shooter.

But he's a good shooter (from the FT line). And we know that FT shooting is more predictive of future 3pt shooting than actual 3pt shooting. And his form looks fine.

Is Bouk a bad shooter?

 

[7774]

RJ was 4th in the Big East in assists and every game there were non-assists because of our inability to make layups and catch hot passes near the rim.

Yes, and when you watch him play basketball it's easy to see he's not really a point guard. Just like when you watch Kadary Richmond play it's easy to see he is a point guard, despite some people calling him a forward because he's 6'5". RJ just doesn't have a point guard mentality. He's a short shooting guard who sometimes makes plays for others. Not saying he's a bad player or anything.

 

[superjohn]

Yes, and when you watch him play basketball it's easy to see he's not really a point guard. Just like when you watch Kadary Richmond play it's easy to see he is a point guard, despite some people calling him a forward because he's 6'5". RJ just doesn't have a point guard mentality. He's a short shooting guard who sometimes makes plays for others. Not saying he's a bad player or anything.

I watched every game this season and he was a point guard.