LeJuan Watts is one of those players who makes you sit up in your seat-because you know something special might be coming. At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, the Texas Tech junior has the size, the tools, and the flashes of brilliance that scream next-level potential.
But the question that continues to hover over his game isn’t about talent. It’s about consistency-and confidence.
We’ve already seen what Watts can do when the lights are brightest. Just ask Duke.
In a December showdown at Madison Square Garden, Watts delivered a statement performance: 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a win that turned heads across the country. That wasn’t just a good night-it was a signature moment in an 82-81 upset that showed what this Red Raiders team could be when everything clicks.
But then there are the other nights. Nights like the early-season blowout loss to Purdue, where Watts was nearly invisible-zero points, two rebounds, one assist in 27 minutes.
Against the Boilermakers’ physicality and discipline, he looked tentative, unsure of when to attack or how to assert himself. And that’s been the story so far: a rollercoaster of high-level flashes and frustrating lulls.
Saturday’s 84-71 win over No. 11 BYU was another snapshot of both sides of the Watts experience.
Statistically, it was a strong outing: 20 points, eight rebounds, two assists. But it came with four turnovers, including a travel that summed up the challenge.
Watts caught the ball on the wing, hesitated, shuffled his feet, and drew a whistle. Head coach Grant McCasland didn’t yell at his player-he turned his back to the court and let out his frustration in the direction of an assistant.
It was a telling moment.
And yet, when Watts is on, Texas Tech looks like a team that can go deep in March. In their two wins over Top 25 teams-Duke and BYU-Watts averaged 20 points, seven boards, and 3.5 assists.
In their four losses to ranked opponents-Purdue, Illinois, Arkansas, and Houston-those numbers dipped to 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. There’s a clear through line: when Watts shows up, the Red Raiders are dangerous.
When he doesn’t, they struggle to keep pace with elite competition.
McCasland sees the same thing. After the BYU win, he pointed to the learning curve Watts is still navigating in Big 12 play.
“Everybody wants everyone to play great on every night,” McCasland said. “But unfortunately, there’s this thing called experience.
Christian [Anderson] and JT [Toppin] got to experience that last year in this league. LeJuan… he has a great feel on the offensive end, but it feels like a lot of the time out there he’s overthinking the possession and he’s not playing to his strengths.”
That’s the thing-Watts’ strengths are undeniable. He’s long, athletic, and has a smooth offensive game that can stretch the floor or attack the rim. But when he hesitates, when he second-guesses, the whole rhythm of Tech’s offense can stall.
Fortunately for the Red Raiders, they’ve got a rock-solid core around him. JT Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, is playing like someone who wants to run it back.
The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 21.6 points and 11.2 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor with his physicality and poise. Sophomore point guard Christian Anderson has taken a leap of his own, putting up nearly 20 points per game while dishing 7.4 assists and playing with the kind of control you usually see from seasoned veterans.
Around them, the supporting cast has stepped up. Donovan Atwell has been exactly the sharpshooter Tech hoped he’d be, knocking down 58 threes at a 41.1% clip while holding his own defensively.
And freshman Jaylen Petty has been a revelation-his energy, shot-making, and versatility have added a much-needed spark. He’s averaging 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds and looks more comfortable with every game.
But depth remains a concern. Injuries have thinned the bench, and that’s placed even more weight on the starting five.
With Toppin, Anderson, Atwell, and Petty bringing steady production night in and night out, the wildcard is Watts. He’s the swing piece.
The one who can take Texas Tech from “really good” to “watch out.”
That’s why McCasland’s message to him is simple: keep it fundamental, stay aggressive, and trust your teammates.
“When he gets in that mode, right now it’s not… he’s still learning,” McCasland said. “It’s just compete.
He’s going to get there, though. Why?
Because this means a lot to him and he practices as hard as anybody on our team. He just doesn’t have quite the habits to match the experience in this league, but he’s getting close.”
And that’s the bet Texas Tech is making-that Watts will figure it out. That the player who shows up against Duke and BYU can become the player who shows up every night. If he does, the Red Raiders have the kind of ceiling that keeps coaches up at night and bracketologists circling their name in ink.
The potential is there. The flashes are real. Now it’s about turning them into something more.