clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

MM 1.24: Blair Watson named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list

This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

South Carolina v Maryland Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Maryland women’s basketball player Blair Watson was named to the watch list for the Naismith Women's National Defensive Player of the Year Award Thursday.

She is one of 15 players named to the watch list, and one of just three from the Big Ten.

Watson has been having a remarkable senior season for the Terps, averaging 9.4 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Defensively, she leads the Terps in steals, averaging 2.89 per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten and 15th in the country. Earlier this season against Iowa, Watson recorded nine steals, which tied a 39-year-old program record.

Maryland has had a sharp focus on defense this year, averaging the third-most steals per game in the country, with 13.8. In their game against Illinois, the Terps forced 22 turnovers and recorded 10 steals — two of which came from Watson. Maryland will look to continue its impressive defensive performances in its next game against No. 22 Northwestern Sunday.

In other news

No. 20 Maryland women's basketball took down Illinois to win their fourth consecutive game Thursday night.

Take a look at Jalen Smith’s second half surge that led to Maryland’s men’s basketball’s latest victory in the latest edition of film room.

Anthony Cowan Jr. joined elite company during the game against Northwestern, becoming the third player in Maryland history to reach 500 free throws made.

Running back commit Ebony Jackson announced his flip to Arkansas from Maryland.

And while the program lost a running back, it gained a new commit as well.

Maryland Football shouted out their two 1,100 yard receivers in the NFL.

No. 20 Maryland women’s basketball is on its way home after picking up win No. 15.

Maryland women’s lacrosse knows a thing or two about bright lights.

Maryland baseball season is less than a month away, and the team is gearing up for the 2020 campaign.

Maryland Volleyball commit Sydney Dowler won the Andi Collins Award.

Maryland wrestling took some time to give back to the community.