Des Watson has adjusted his mindset after a slow start to the season, and the shift in his approach has impacted his performance. As a leader for Loyola, his turnaround also has played a pivotal role in the Ramblers’ undefeated 8-0 start.
Watson entered the year with high expectations, having earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 Conference Preseason First-Team list following a standout season last year. Now, he feels settled in and ready to carry Loyola as conference play rapidly approaches.
The senior guard has scored in double figures in each of the last four games, averaging 17.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 47.8% (11 for 23) from beyond the arc during that stretch. This marks a dramatic improvement from his first four games of the season, where he scored in double figures only once and struggled from 3-point range, going 2 for 15 (13.3%).
“Got off to a rocky start at the beginning of the year, and my head just wasn’t where it needed to be,” Watson said. “It wasn’t focused on winning. It was focused on other things. And I just been focused on winning, trusting my teammates, trusting my coaches, doing what they tell me to do, and then doing what the team needs me to do, and that’s just playing to win every single game.”
Watson is in his second season at Loyola after spending his first two years at Davidson. He entered the transfer portal to seek a better team culture and a playing style that suited him more effectively. At Davidson, he averaged 2.9 points per game as a freshman and 9.4 points per game in his sophomore season.
He has flourished in Loyola’s system under coach Drew Valentine. The style of play has allowed him to play with freedom and confidence, enabling him to make significant strides. Last season, he improved across the board, increasing his averages in points, rebounds, assists and 3-point shooting percentage compared to his final year at Davidson.
Watson averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a full-time starter last season. His success earned him second-team all-conference.
“It’s just a different type of confidence that gets set inside of you, and the natural ability and love for the game just come out,” said Watson on playing for Valentine, who is 33 years old.
“He’s just very, very relatable. He’s into what we are into – fashion and music. He’s up to date. So, he’s just relatable in just every aspect in life. And then when you get between those lines, it’s just pure. He just loves to win. He’ll do anything to win. So, I love that about him.”
On Sunday, Loyola plays San Francisco in a clash of two potential NCAA Tournament teams in the MKE Tip-Off at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Ramblers and Dons (8-2) rank seventh and 10th, respectively, in the latest Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll.
The Dons boast a highly skilled and dynamic group of guards. Senior Malik Thomas leads the team with 17 points per game, while fellow senior Marcus Williams contributes 12.1 points per contest. Freshman standout Tyrone Riley IV adds another scoring punch, averaging 11.5 points per game.
Sophomore guard Ryan Beasley, last season’s WCC Freshman of the Year, provides a valuable spark off the bench, chipping in 5.0 points per game. Together, this talented backcourt forms the core of the Dons’ offensive firepower.
“I mean, I’m an ultimate competitor. I love it,” said Watson on facing a talented team with strong guard play. “Great, great group of guys that we’re about to play against. Great team, great coached team. You know, we’re ready.
“We feel like we are the better team. We’re going to go in there with our heads high and respect our opponents. We’re ready to go to war. So, we’re ready for them. We can’t wait, and it’s gonna be fun.”
Last year, the Ramblers claimed the Atlantic 10 regular-season title but fell short in the conference tournament championship, losing by one point in a double-overtime thriller against St. Bonaventure.
After being picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, Loyola is trying to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022. A win against another potential tournament-bound opponent would greatly strengthen its case for an at-large bid.
“We’re hungry,” Watson said. “It’s a hungry group of guys. We ready. We are ready, and we got that chip on our shoulder, so we can’t wait.”
[…] guard Des Watson (12.1 ppg) has found his stride after a slow start, averaging 17.3 points and shooting 47.8% from 3-point range over the last four games. Defensively, […]