'14 JUCO PF Earl Watson (URI JUCO Transfer)

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

Rhode Island picked up a good commitment in former Chipola forward Earl Watson. URI is getting a strong and athletic 6-8 four-man. Watson has good length and solid hands, which he uses to reel in rebounds on both ends. He is explosive around the rim and can finish through contact. While at Chipola, Watson averaged 9.5 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 54% from the field. Watson originally committed to Wichita State, but didn’t end up heading to Wichita. He is currently sitting out and will most likely enroll at URI in January. This will be very beneficial for Watson because he will have the second semester and summer to make sure he is in shape and prepared for next season. He will have two years of eligibility once he begins playing at URI.

http://www.jucorecruiting.com/earl-wats ... juco-news/

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

#36 on 2013 JUCO Top 100 Player Rankings
http://www.jucorecruiting.com/2013-juco ... -rankings/

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Isn't the early signing period over tomorrow?

No signed LOI yet.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

does he need a LOI as a juco?

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Good point. Don't know.

Anybody know?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

#36 is pretty good.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Holton is #13.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Yeah, too bad he didn't have his head screwed on right.
Could have been one hell of a front court, and really helped last year, too.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

I think if Hurley could have coached him for one year, he might have been able to turn him around enough to keep him around.

But, water under the bridge now. He could have really helped us.

One thing's for sure, Hurley would have had him play more under the hoop, and not chuck 3's all night.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:We must be on somebody from Michigan. Preston recruits one every year. Ramster, you would know. Any 2 guards or power forwards we might be interested in from Michigan?

absolutely Billyboy,
Eric Davis is a 6'3" Shooting Guard from Saginaw Arthur Hill HS - same school as our own Jordan Hare.
Eric is the top ranked player in Michigan for the Class of 2015
He has received offers from:
Rhode Island
Providence
Oregon
Michigan State
Illinois
Kansas
Memphis
Iowa State
Iowa
Ohio State
NC State

Ranked in the Class of 2015:
#22 - Scout
#26 - ESPN
# 30 - Rivals

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

That's tough company to compete against.

Maybe Preston can pull a rabbit out of his hat. Sure could use a guy like that, especially a SG.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

rambone 78 wrote:That's tough company to compete against.

Maybe Preston can pull a rabbit out of his hat. Sure could use a guy like that, especially a SG.

Yeah, that might be an even tougher get than EC was, but we can hope.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Yeah, guys who have already blown up, with the big boys interested are a tougher get for us.

Still a chance though. We have a need at that position next year, big time.

SmartyBarrett · Unread post by **SmartyBarrett** » 10 years ago

rambone 78 wrote:Good point. Don't know.

Anybody know?

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Relief.

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

Any word on Earl Watson joining the team for practice for the 2nd semester?

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

Ram Stampede!!! wrote:Any word on Earl Watson joining the team for practice for the 2nd semester?

Yes, he will start practicing with the team 2nd semester

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

He told me he'd be on campus, Monday.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

Watson's JUCO stats last year were pretty similar to his teammate's, Kruize Pinkins, another 6-7 forward, though Pinkins played a little more:
Watson - 18.7 min, 9.5 ppg, 54% FG, 61% FT, 6.4 rpg, .3 spg, 1 bpg
Pinkins - 21.5 min, 11.4 ppg, 58% FG, 66% FT, 6.9 rpg, 1 spg, .8 bpg

Pinkins is at San Francisco now and is averaging 12 points and 6.5 rebounds. San Fran has actually played a tougher schedule than us and Pinkins had 20 and 11 versus Oregon.
Obviously this doesn't mean Watson's production will translate exactly the same for us but I'm bored so take it for what its worth.

15 Year Lurker · Unread post by **15 Year Lurker** » 10 years ago

Wichita State is pretty good (undefeated #5 in country and rising), cautiously optimistic we stole one of their recruits.

You know what they say....once you know who your competition is...

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

We didn't steal him, he was never granted admission, because of academics.

15 Year Lurker · Unread post by **15 Year Lurker** » 10 years ago

I was sort of joking...just wanted to throw in a jerry d reference

but what I meant was they have some good players, watched them yesterday, so hopefully earl is like them

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Hope so. What I like about him is, he rarely puts the ball on the floor,
and just goes straight to the hoop. He can really jump.
Preston says he's a "monster".

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Rod, let's just hope that the "hype" about Watson is right.

I think he's going to be pretty good. He will definitely help Gil.

Next year's frontcourt will be OK, with him and Aaman added to the mix. Our immediate needs will be less in that area, compared to the backcourt.

What I'm saying, is that for next year a SG and PG should be our top two priorities. More bigs will need to be added in 2015-16.

ram1980 · Unread post by **ram1980** » 10 years ago

I will temper my enthusiasm on this player until he starts playing in games... Have we not learned our lesson?? Hype is one thing.. Results are what we need.. A little concerned about the academic issue too.. Hoping for the best.. Sounds like a potential find..

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

He didn't complete a math course at Chipola. Not a big deal.
Some hype has to fit reality, sometime. I think EC is pretty much as
we'd hoped for.
We still don't have a center. Seems to be a URI problem since 1969.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Yeah I'd say Hassy and EC are both going to be as advertised (and have been already to an extent). Its more some of the transfers that might not live up to the hype, although there is still plenty of time for them to change that. So overall I think the success rate for recruits in this very short period of time has actually been pretty normal. Not every guy is going to live up to the hype, its just easier to focus on the disappointments sometimes.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

One very good pg changes this team dramatically. If we can get one this spring, I'll be happy.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

And a shooter at SG to replace X.

Even a transfer, like X.

At PG, we need someone with a big upside. If we go into next year with just Biggie, I WON'T be happy.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

When I hear the word "monster", I now expect someone who will come in and dominate. Isn't this the same overhyping that was done with the transfers?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Well, this was Preston saying it, and he's pretty straight
and not prone to overblowing things.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Agreed.

I hate to doubt Dan on things, but that's where we're at right now.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

I wouldn't mind seeing 2 pg's come in. I know it won't happen, though. A good freshman pg is a must. If a juco comes in also, It could stabilize the position.
I can see EC taking X's spot next year. Hopefully, Martin (who, as we all have to say, is 18) should be at the 3, at least until he gets stronger.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

You're right about getting a freshman PG. We need a 4 year player at that position.

For SG, a transfer or juco might work.

In any event, we need shooters. At any and all positions.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

While most put a premium at recruiting kids at specific positions, at this point, it would be best to get the very, very best basketball players available, period. If the best "on the board" is a point guard, shooting guard, etc., fine….To have a "role player" taking up a slot for the sake of a "category" seems a waste…..

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 10 years ago

Watson may be a good mentor for the Big O.....

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

Though the reference point is a long, long time ago, Watson reminds me of St. John's beast Mel Davis.
RELENTLESS.
Also, the "monster" term in all likelihood, relates to his imposing physicality. Hopefully, he'll be given and takes well to learning and applying additional basketball skills….

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Mel Davis was a very good player, and a first round NBA draft choice.
Smart guys, too. Two Master's degrees after he graduated.
He was really 6'6" and not able to dominate in the NBA like he did
at S.t John'.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

I always liked Mac Davis.

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 10 years ago

I'd like to sneak into a practice this semester to check this kid out

RhodyRams12 · Unread post by **RhodyRams12** » 10 years ago

^ I was thinking the same thing.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Supposedly he'll bring a toughness that we seem to lack, except for
Hassan.
We need bangers who can make loud rebounds.
Wichita State, where he originally signed has a motto of,
"Play Angry!"
I think forwards and centers need a little edginess to be successful.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

Rhodymob05 wrote:I'd like to sneak into a practice this semester to check this kid out

Why sneak??? Didn't Coach Hurley indicate that there supposed to be occasional "open practices"???? If so, let's find out when!!!!!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

I'm guessing that Earl will be on the bench this Saturday?

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

Former Chipola teammates in the news:
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... -marijuana

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

BFC wrote:Former Chipola teammates in the news:
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10327194/cinmeon-bowers-florida-state-seminoles-recruit-arrested-allegedly-eating-marijuana

Wonder if he has a "high" stomache ?

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

I got scared for a second when i saw this story on Twitter earlier, because it just mentioned the school and "3 players" in the tweet. Then quickly remembered that he was here already.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

ace wrote:

So, we have Big O and Big OOO....that could get confusing...

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

Should help develop Iffy