B Ready

April 9th, 2009 at 3:20 PM ^

Think Dirk Nowitzki with defense. Actually, I'm not sure. He's a lightly regarded recruit who is more of a 3/4 who can shoot the rock, and is a "JB-type-player." With Grady gone, we would still be able to pick up Regan and Ziegler if they choose to come here.

Joined: 01/13/2009

MGoPoints: 113

estarr01

April 9th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^

That is pretty impressive to be mentioned with Dirk. I googled him, below is what I found on ESPN: February, 2009: Smotrycz has the ability to score in a variety of ways. He can connect on jumpers from beyond 3-point range as well as score in the paint. Smotrycz has an effortless jumper and does a good job of getting his legs involved on the shot, which gives him the ability to connect from deep on his jumper. When he applies himself, he has the ability to cause match-up problems by taking bigger frontcourt players out on the perimeter with his shooting ability in addition to taking smaller defenders down to the block when he gets the opportunity to do so. Smotrycz also has very good vision and passing skills. He plays an unselfish brand of basketball at times, he plays little too unselfishly and does not look to exploit his advantage in terms of scoring the basketball. Smotrycz also has problems when he faces more athletic frontcourt players and tries to guard them. As long as he does not try to over-extend himself and maintains a high level of aggressiveness, Smotrycz can develop into an excellent frontcourt player on the next level. He just has to continue to work to overcome his tendency to disappear, which he should not do given his immense amount of talent.

Joined: 02/23/2009

MGoPoints: 55

TomW09

April 9th, 2009 at 6:27 PM ^

Providence, Georgia, Pitt, Syracuse, ND, Virginia all interested last fall. That's pretty impressive. If you read Dylan's write-up at UMHoops, it seems that the 2* rating is very likely to change and Smotrycz is primed for a breakout AAU season and then a big senior season. He transfered to a more athletic and competitive league this last year and flourished. I'll admit when we first offered I was a bit skeptical. But after doing my homework I'm pretty excited. You add Regan and Zeigler to this class and it's gonna be a good one.

Joined: 12/18/2008

MGoPoints: 199

B Ready

April 9th, 2009 at 6:59 PM ^

There is a difference between being "interested" and getting offered. He was offered by NW and Oregon State. He is a 2-3 star recruit. We absolutely have to land an athletic wing, and someone to replace Sims in the frontcourt in this class. If we don't, then we are going to have a lean year or two when Manny and Deshawn leave.

Joined: 01/13/2009

MGoPoints: 113

TomW09

April 9th, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^

I didn't say otherwise. Be patient. Let's wait and see what his rating is after AAU ball. Star ratings are basically worthless this early, unless you're looking at Top 100 recruits. I'll side with all the articles and information saying that he's a potential impact player that's multidimensional. My main point is: We shouldn't be over-reacting because Smotrycz only has X stars. We still have big targets out there. Reports are that Evan was gaining interest. Much like (but to a lesser extent) how Will Regan is starting to get interest from Dook and the likes. I'll trust Beilein's judgement.

Joined: 12/18/2008

MGoPoints: 199

jmblue

April 9th, 2009 at 7:42 PM ^

OK, I guess you and "B Ready" know more about this than a lot of professional analysts. A bunch of scouts have been quoted as saying he'd be elected if he were to retire now. It's the Basketball Hall of Fame, not just the BCS-conference HoF. Beilein is the only coach in history to have won 20+ games at four different levels, the only coach to have won that many at seven different schools, and one of seven coaches to have taken four schools to the NCAA tournament. The actual voters look at the man's entire career, not just his time at WVU and Michigan.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102810

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

April 9th, 2009 at 8:08 PM ^

"Yes, because we all are better at evaluating talent than a Hall of Fame-bound coach is." Honestly, by that logic, we should be getting super-juiced and crazy excited about every prospect we get, because a Hall-of-Fame coach thought they were good enough to ball at Michigan. Obviously though there will be players who frustrate and annoy as well as those who languish on the third string and never see any meaningful playing time. Not saying that's where we're headed here, but let's be honest, most players like Smotrycz that aren't heavily recruited are still going to have pretty similarly excellent credentials.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 41586

WolvinLA

April 9th, 2009 at 4:30 PM ^

Way to kill the buzz, Negative Nancy. I am actually impressed and excited about him. He sounds a lot like McLimans, maybe a little smaller, more of a 3 than a 4. I think he sounds a lot like the type of player Beilien likes, and therefore I am excited.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 875

BleedingBlue

April 9th, 2009 at 4:27 PM ^

I'm excited and impressed to have a verbal commitment this early. I think we've seen that beilein only goes after the guys he knows he can develop and will produce. This kid sounds perfect - unselfish, 6'9" can shoot the rock and is a good passer who can post up with a high basketball IQ. perfect.

Joined: 07/25/2008

MGoPoints: 2165