It was a cold, icy and snowy evening in February when Central Missouri head coach Kim Anderson got in his car and prepared for a four-hour journey to West Plains, Mo.

Though the conditions were far from ideal, Anderson believed it would be well worth the trip. He wanted to see his top recruit, Sanijay Watts of State Fair Community College, in action before signing day on April 21.

Anderson wanted to do everything in his power to land Watts.

‘I finally made it and knew it would be a good indicator because he was facing a good team,’ said Anderson, who enters his eighth season as the Mules’ head coach. ‘They had big guys, 6-7 and 6-8, and Sanijay is only about 6-2, so I knew this would be a good test.’

Watts passed with flying colors.

He posted the ‘quietest 34 points’ the coach had ever seen, and Anderson said he knew immediately the kid was special.

‘I drove home that night knowing he scored but had no idea he had 34,’ Anderson said. ‘He just went about his business, and I told my staff, ‘We need this guy. He can really help us.”

Watts called Anderson two weeks before signing day and told him he wanted to play at Central Missouri. He felt most comfortable with the coaching staff there. It was close to home. Plus, his mother, who Watts said never advises him poorly, was in favor of the school. Anderson was so happy he told Watts he wanted to do a backflip.

Almost two years later, Anderson’s trip has more than paid off. In his first season with the Mules, Watts led the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game, while shooting an efficient 55.5 percent from the field. Central Missouri made it to the Division II final four, where it fell to the eventual champion, Findlay, by just two points.

This season, the Mules are ranked No. 2 in the country with a 6-0 record and Watts, now a senior, was named a preseason All American. The squad just knocked off No. 7 Southwest Baptist, with Watts tallying 22 points and six assists in the win.

But success has not come easy. After an illustrious career at Jennings High School in St. Louis, where Watts was named St. Louis Player of the Year and averaged 28.5 points and 10 rebounds as a senior, he thought his dream of playing Division I basketball was in his grasp.

Recruited by a handful of Division I schools, such as Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Arkansas, Watts’ grades prevented him from accepting an offer, and he wound up at Cowley Community College.

‘Of course I was disappointed,’ Watts said. ‘Everyone wants to go D-I and I really thought I could. But I just took what I could and tried to make the most out of it.’

After Cowley, Watts transferred to State Fair and went to work. He was determined to get to a higher level.

‘Through junior college, I really learned to bring it every night,’ Watts said. ‘Every night, I was facing top guys who could have gone D-I, so I really had to work.’

Undersized for a power forward – Watts is listed at 6-foot-4, but his coach says he is 6-foot-2 – he made up for it with a work ethic that went unmatched.

At State Fair, Watts earned honorable mention National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honors as a sophomore, as he led his team to an 18-12 record. Though the personal accolades were nice, Watts wanted more. He wanted to win.

‘The junior college experience was great, but I wanted a championship,’ Watts said. ‘All great players want a championship, and that is why I came here. Getting to the final four last year was special, but this year, it is all about a championship. Nothing else matters.’

His long journey comes down to this season, as the Mules look poised to make another national championship run. While Watts can certainly put up points and dominate the glass, it is his passing ability that Anderson is most impressed with.

Under Anderson, 30 former players have gone on to play professionally in the NBA or overseas. Watts hopes to continue this tradition after he graduates in May.

‘He is a really special individual,’ Anderson said. ‘We will obviously miss his physical abilities, but I will miss the guy who worked hard every single day, never complained and was always respectful. His consistency on and off the court is what I will really miss.’

Harvard at Boston College

Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Last season, Harvard shocked the college basketball world when it beat Boston College just days after the Eagles defeated North Carolina. Though they may not be as strong as they were a year ago, the Eagles have won three tough games in a row against Providence, Michigan and Miami (Fla.).

Boston College 63, Harvard 58

No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Connecticut

Wednesday, 9:30 p.m., ESPN

After passing its first true test of the season with an impressive win against North Carolina, Kentucky stands at 8-0 going into this matchup against Connecticut. The Huskies have won two straight, but struggled against Harvard, only winning by six points.

Kentucky 66, Connecticut 59

No. 13 Ohio State vs. No. 22 Butler

Saturday, noon, ESPN

After a devastating injury to Ohio State star Evan Turner, the Buckeyes look to continue their winning ways against a tough Butler squad that needs as many wins against top-teams as possible.

Butler 68, Ohio State 63

No. 15 Georgetown vs. No. 17 Washington

Saturday, 2 p.m., FSN

In this matchup of top 20 teams, Washington looks to get back on track after losing a tough double-overtime battle against Texas Tech.

Washington 68, Georgetown 61

No. 7 Syracuse vs. No. 10 Florida

Thursday, 9 p.m., ESPN

Syracuse is hot, having won its first eight games by an average of just under 28 points. But Florida is also undefeated and looks to be a force for the first time since its back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.

Syracuse 78, Florida 67

restern@syr.edu