PAT MULCAHY

Marcus Watkins: The Spark

Pat Mulcahy

There has been a hole in the minds and hearts of many Tiger fans since the departue of Justin Gage in 2002 from the Missouri basketball program. Gage followed a long line of "bruisers" and "hard nosed" players that fans cannot help but love. The kind of player of the past who was willing to break your nose in order to get the basketball in his hands like: Sutherland, Hafer, and Grawer among many others. When Justin Gage decided to pursure football full time (he is now playing for the Chicago Bears), the Missouri basketball program and coach Quin Snyder lost the glue that held his early teams together. Gage was not the most talented and did not put the ball in the hoop with the scoring prowess of a Rush, Dooling, or Gilbert. But what Justin Gage brought to the table, and often many times while jumping over tables, was something that every team needs in order to reach success and cohesiveness. It is a special intangible that cannot be taught and something that you are born with. His tenacity to go after loose balls and put his body on the line cannot be developed, you either have the desire and heart to do it or you do not. Quin Snyder might have finally found his next Justin Gage or Jeff Hafer, and he just might have stumbled upon him by accident.

When Melvin Watkins was hired by Quin Snyder to become the Associate Head Coach in June of 2004, many Tiger fans figured all they were getting was a proven head caoch to help bring experience to the staff of Quin Snyder. But what many did not think of was that Melvin was bringing his son Marcus along with him. Many figured that Marcus was nothing more than a practice player and would only because of his father's status. There were no expectations for Marcus, but what he has shown so far in this young season is that he is more than just a practice player. He is not here simply because his father is on that bench wearing a suit, he can play and that is the truth. During an illustrious high school career where he averaged better than 30 points a game his senior year he was ranked as high as 65th on many national recruiting lists. After high school Marcus went to play for his father at Texas A&M and although he saw action in 55 out of 56 games he did not replicate the gaudy numbers he posted in high school, only averaging 2.5 points per game in his short Texas A&M career. So when Missouri fans looked at the stats he put up for a terrible Aggie club they rightfully were skepticle and did not expect much from this newest Tiger. But during the Black and Gold game and after the first exhibition game that all changed. Comparisons to Gage and Hafer began to arise and it was clear that the younger Watkins was going to be a big contributor on the court for this team.

The similarities between Watkins, Gage, and Hafer are stronger than most might expect. All three stand at 6 feet 4 inches while weighing between 200 and 210 pounds. All three possess terrific athletic ability and dazzling verticle leaps. All three despite their lack of height and girth were not, and in Marcus' case are not, afraid to go inside and bang with the big boys on the glass. Marcus was known to play inside quite a bit during high school (averaging almost 9 rebounds a game as a senior) and a few times this season Quin has already utilized him at the four spot. But more important than playing inside, diving for loose balls, and amazing verticle leaps, all three of these players have the urge to win and do anything it takes for their team to achieve a victory. Marcus' urge to win and his freakish athletic ability will surely help seal many victories this season along with his improved offensive game. So far this season he is averaging 7.5 points per game.

In the early part of the season it is clear that Marcus will be a key contributor and component for the 2005-06 Missouri Tigers basketball squad. He is the first guy off the bench on many occassions and his ability to score, play good defense, and crash the boards provides the spark that has been missing for the last few seasons in Columbia. Associate Head Coach Melvin Watkins can only watch with pride as his son is finally achieving success at the Division 1 level, and hopefully for his sake and ours he can keep it up.