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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Peach Jam

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 13: Northwestern Wildcats forward A.J. Turner (21) goes up for a shot during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 13, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Marcus Watson Jr can play

Not everyone is as coveted as they should be. There are players who are lower ranked for one reason or another but have earned more respect to their name than they are getting. This is where Marcus Watson Jr. lies in his recruitment.

Watson is a 6-foot-1, 155-pound point guard from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 335 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 58 point guard in the nation. He is also the No. 8 player in the state of Illinois as well.

Watson was a part of the Mac Irvin Fire AAU program and competed for the team during the EYBL season. He was a big part of this team the entire year and throughout the Peach Jam. In the 13 games Watson was able to play for the Mac Irvin Fire during the regular season, he averaged 10.6 points, 9.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.

Those numbers on paper are phenomenal. You don’t see unselfish basketball as Watson plays in the AAU circuits very often. The great part of about these numbers is that he was relatively efficient as well. He only averaged 3.6 turnovers per game, which is slightly high but is still pretty good all things considered.

Watson improved on some of his numbers during the Peach Jam as well. He averaged 15.2 points, 7.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while only turning the ball over 1.6 times per game. He took his solid regular season and elevated his game to another level for the postseason. That is what I like to see.

There are some issues I have with Watson right now. His shooting does need to improve, but he can get to the basket. He is still able to be effective enough where his shooting won’t hinder his game. Honestly, the style of game reminds me of a Rajon Rondo.

I think Watson would be a great pickup for any college basketball team. This kid brings speed and tenacity to the game. I would love for him to suit up for the Illini. They need more guard help to transition from Ayo Dosunmu.

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