In the ramp up to the 2010-11 basketball season, Tar Heel Fan will be profiling key Tar Heels who will likely be major contributors this season. Today’s profile looks at guard Justin Watts.
Vitals
Number: 24
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210 lbs
Year: Junior
2009-10 Stats: 23 gms, 1.7 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 40.5 FG%, 42.9 FT%
Career Stats: 50 gms, 1.1 ppg, 0.78 rpg, 32 FG%, 42.9 FT%
What Happened Last Season
Not much. Justin Watts played sparingly and during the court of ACC saw even less time. His best effort all season was nine points in 23 minutes versus Presbyterian. For the most part, Watts did not see much action despite the injuries befalling the Heels. The injuries were mainly frontcourt related which relegated Watts to the bench more often than not.
Outlook For This Season
With depth being a huge concern and UNC operating with 10 scholarship players, Watts will be called upon to provide minutes. Had Will Graves not been dismissed from the team, Watts role would have been minimized. Instead Roy Williams said he has been using Watts at the PF spot in practice which frightens and confuses me. Watts is only 6-4 which means Roy is looking at using smaller lineups in general. In addition, UNC has the 1-3 spots on the court pretty well covered leaving the frontcourt as one of the only options for Watts to see the floor.
Main Concern
Inexperience and if Watts is truly going to spend a lot of time at the four then add "playing a new position" to the list of potential problems for Watts.
Wish List
Don't screw up. In most of these profiles we like to quantify our wish list in terms of production via points, rebounds, assists, etc. I am not sure you can do that with Watts. I imagine his presence on the court will be as a stop gap, stealing a few minutes during the course of the games. Since that is the case, the best you can hope for from Watts is good decisions and solid defense. If Watts scores or grabs a key rebound or whatever, it will be gravy.