Mike Smith Declares for Draft
As expected, Michigan starting point guard Mike Smith won’t be returning next year, opting instead to get his pro career underway, he announced on Instagram.
Smith grad transferred from Columbia last year and helped lead Michigan to a Big Ten title and a #1 seed, bringing the Wolverines within inches of the Final Four in his lone season in Ann Arbor. Along the way he went from being an undersized stopgap to the offense’s main initiator and defensive non-liability the smart basketball folks could argue was a clear statistical upgrade from Zavier Simpson.
[Hit THE JUMP.]
Given the chance to play with significantly more talent, Smith this year transformed himself from a has-to-do-it-all (13th nationally in usage his last year) creator in the Ivy League to the efficient table-setter of an elite offense in the nation's toughest conference. Along the way he shot 42% from the arc, 79% from the line, and finished top-100 in assist rate.
He also gave us one of the great point guard games in Michigan history. Facing Maryland and the conference’s (wrong choice for) defensive player of the year Darryl Morsell, Smith dished out a record 15 assists and no turnovers to go with 18 points on 16 shot equivalents in a 79-66 romp nobody on either side will forget.
You can’t ask more from a one-year Ivy League rental, and Michigan’s roster was set up with that in mind. While the 5th year senior leaves without using his bonus COVID year, Michigan currently expects to bring back fellow guard Eli Brooks, should get a big growth year out of sophomore-to-be Zeb Jackson, and is bringing in a ready-to-play point guard in Frankie Collins, part of the nation’s #1 recruiting class.
We’re still awaiting a few more decisions, but with little mystery. Fellow senior Isaiah Livers and potential lottery pick Franz Wagner are expected to join Smith in the draft, while Michigan awaits official word from freshman big Hunter Dicksinson and SG/W Chaundee Brown, both of whom insiders believe will come back for 2021-'22. Backup C Austin Davis could also opt to return in a reduced role as star freshmen (and Brandon Johns) soak up minutes inside.
Smith isn’t projected to go high in the draft, but there’s a very good chance he already has a pro opportunity lined up. You probably don’t have to wish this for a sparkplug with Columbia and Michigan degrees, but may Mike Smith have as much success as he leaves Michigan poised to.
Columbia degree
Michigan degree
Big Ten Champion
...Mike's done more than most men do in a lifetime. Godspeed to him.
You go Mike. You've got a lot of fans on this blog who DO believe in you.
Good luck, Mike!! Thanks for the unexpected season you gave us this year! Hopefully the NBA works out, and if it doesn't Europe sure as hell will!
What a surprise. What a treat. What a guy.
A Lion AND a Wolverine.
Thanks, Mike.
Thank you, good sir. Best of luck!
Good luck, Mike! Always a Wolverine, Go Blue!
About as nice of a one-year run you could have expected. Wish him luck - I think he'll successful wherever he winds up.
Fun kid to watch. He'll be missed next year but will succeed in whatever he attempts.
Best of luck, Mike!
If all goes as listed in this post (Smith, Livers, Wagner depart; everyone else back), that is the absolute best we could have even somewhat reasonably dreamed about. What a great job by Howard & co to create a culture where people, even those with good options, stay.
I don't think we're a pre-season #1, but definitely Top 5 with room to grow.
Good luck to all who leave -- you deserve it;
and the same to those who stay -- let's go win the whole thing.
ESPN had us at #17 in the “way too early” pre-season Top 25. I laughed out loud.
Preseason rankings don't mean squat.
Last year, AP had us at #25. How'd that work out?
Talk to me when the season is over.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2914329-ap-college-basketball-poll-2020-complete-preseason-rankings-released
Maybe I just don't the modern style... but what is with the randomly highlighted words in no apparent pattern?
They aren't random. They're the main verb/action of sentences that he is emphasizing and, in some instances, a label that featured prominently in his development.
1) That is... pretty random
2) Always , never, still - neither verb nor label.
Read it out loud and emphatically stress the highlighted words. It works like italics.
Yes, it does... like italics on random words with no discernible pattern.
ascribing off-court success to on-court persona is a fool's game, but man - the guy seemed smart, unflappable, and confident. makes me think he's going to be a success whether he makes the nba or not.
In interviews he always seemed like a smart, level headed and optimistic guy and was pretty real/wasnt limited to coach-speak or whatever you want to call it. Hope he succeeds in whatever he does
Am in a Michigan/Columbia split household, so Smith holds a special place. Go Blue/Go Lions and good luck, sir!
Shaq II?
I'm still uncomfortable about the way people keep talking about Eli coming back. I don't believe that one week removed from their last game that seniors have all of this figured out yet.....nor should they. I also don't think the rumors are any more solid than typical ESPN free agency or NFL draft rumors....i.e. speculation.
I hope Eli comes back and I wish Smith luck even though I wanted him back too. But saying "the team expects him back" seems a pretty big leap from some vague insider rumors. Remember just 3 weeks ago Sam was telling everyone they expect Smith back.\
Hope for the best.....but don't think the off-season roller coaster is even started for Michigan yet.
Thanks, Mike, for coming to Michigan. Good luck & Go Blue!
Mike, sincerest wishes for great success in whatever the future brings you. GO BLUE
Even a "back-up" plan of being paid to live and play in Italy, Germany, Baltics etc. is pretty sweet for a new college grad.
Good luck. Glad to have you this year.
I’m a fan for life. Great kid and a great player.
Best of luck with your future endeavors Mike. You made us all proud this year!!
Good luck. Thanks for a great year. The hair! Outstanding.
Mike was a pleasant surprise this year and one of my son and I’s favorite to watch this year. I wish we could have watched him since he was a freshman. You will always be a Wolverine in my eye’s Mr. Smith. I hope you continue to do big things!
All Mike Smith did was learn a brand new offense as a shot-creating up-transfer, lead the conference in assists most of the season and deliver the most flawless PG performance ever in the B1G—18 points, 15 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and
not
a
single
turnover
while being guarded by the (nominal) conference DPOY.
I wouldn’t bet against him. Thanks, Mike!
Good luck to you Mike!
Go Blue!
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