1) From seeing CU defeat Butler, almost everything the 'Jays do offensively is predicated on Watson - he passes, drives, scores and will hit the open jumper. How important is this guy to CU's fortune.
K: "Extremely important. He is so hard for most teams to defend. He also gets the fastbreak started which is a huge part of the Jays offense. When he gets in foul trouble the Jays struggle. Coach McDermott does not trust the Juco they bought in to back up the point so they go with a walk on, Tyler Clement. While he has done ok he doesn't bring the same skill set and is sometimes a liability on defense. That being said in the Butler game when Watson went out in the first half with two fouls the Jays actually gained ground on Butler.
2) Is Zierden waking up, as he's a great open shot shooter from deep?
K: He has actually been pretty steady. He has always been a lights out shooter. Injuries have slowed him at times but he is an incredible shooter who is really a smart player who because of that basketball IQ has become a very good defender-i.e. job he did on Dunham. He has his off nights like any shooter but I wouldn't want to take my chances leaving him open.
3) Do you envision teams becoming physical with Watson, as that may be the only way to slow that guy down given the new rules?
K: Some teams have tried. It has worked to a small extent but he is so quick it hasn't been a strategy teams have used.
4) How is the pack line defense doing, overall?
K: Two of the last three games-Providence and Butler--the team has played the best defense of Coach Mac's time here at Creighton. They really bothered Dunn at times put freshman Khyri Thomas on him who is the teams best defender. Groselle and Hanson can match up with most centers in the league. Can they be consistent is the question.
5) You may be biased, but given how important Watson is to a surging CU crew, though he's not the best PG in the league (that's Kris Dunn), is he tracking as a first team All-BIG EAST performer? Make the argument if so.
K: Tough to make a case for first team but I think second team since the Big East doesn't pick team by position--a lot of really good point guards in the league.
6) How is the front court game coming...offensively and defensively?
K: Groselle has slowed a bit the last couple of games. He is bothered by some nagging injuries and the fact that some teams are figuring him out a little and making him start a little further from the hoops which has caused him some problems. Hanson is playing really well--has a nice jump hook and came up with some big blocks in the Butler game. A really good one to punch inside.
At the four Huff has struggled so they have turned to Hegner who has been since starting in the DePaul game
K: "Extremely important. He is so hard for most teams to defend. He also gets the fastbreak started which is a huge part of the Jays offense. When he gets in foul trouble the Jays struggle. Coach McDermott does not trust the Juco they bought in to back up the point so they go with a walk on, Tyler Clement. While he has done ok he doesn't bring the same skill set and is sometimes a liability on defense. That being said in the Butler game when Watson went out in the first half with two fouls the Jays actually gained ground on Butler.
2) Is Zierden waking up, as he's a great open shot shooter from deep?
K: He has actually been pretty steady. He has always been a lights out shooter. Injuries have slowed him at times but he is an incredible shooter who is really a smart player who because of that basketball IQ has become a very good defender-i.e. job he did on Dunham. He has his off nights like any shooter but I wouldn't want to take my chances leaving him open.
3) Do you envision teams becoming physical with Watson, as that may be the only way to slow that guy down given the new rules?
K: Some teams have tried. It has worked to a small extent but he is so quick it hasn't been a strategy teams have used.
4) How is the pack line defense doing, overall?
K: Two of the last three games-Providence and Butler--the team has played the best defense of Coach Mac's time here at Creighton. They really bothered Dunn at times put freshman Khyri Thomas on him who is the teams best defender. Groselle and Hanson can match up with most centers in the league. Can they be consistent is the question.
5) You may be biased, but given how important Watson is to a surging CU crew, though he's not the best PG in the league (that's Kris Dunn), is he tracking as a first team All-BIG EAST performer? Make the argument if so.
K: Tough to make a case for first team but I think second team since the Big East doesn't pick team by position--a lot of really good point guards in the league.
6) How is the front court game coming...offensively and defensively?
K: Groselle has slowed a bit the last couple of games. He is bothered by some nagging injuries and the fact that some teams are figuring him out a little and making him start a little further from the hoops which has caused him some problems. Hanson is playing really well--has a nice jump hook and came up with some big blocks in the Butler game. A really good one to punch inside.
At the four Huff has struggled so they have turned to Hegner who has been since starting in the DePaul game