internetter
Postdoc
Posts: 3400
Loc: Los Angeles
Reg: 11-21-04
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03-09-17 11:41 AM - Post#225877
While it's clear he was the driving force for the Lions, his FG % in Ivy games wasn't outstanding at 38. His threes slightly better.
In the games from Dartmouth on:
D 5-15 Pr 3 of 11 Pn 6 of 16 Y 6 of 14 Y 5 of 17
perhaps suggesting he suffered from fatigue as the minutes piled up.
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Columbia Alum
Junior
Posts: 247
Age: 38
Reg: 11-15-11
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03-09-17 11:53 AM - Post#225884
In response to internetter
Probably a bit of fatigue but more likely better scouting. Many of his drives became more predictable and were thwarted. Smith is a great player but to improve his efficiency he needs to 1) assist more and try to be a little less predictable with his offense 2) he needs teammates who shoulder more of the burden so he isn't doubled so quickly when he drives.
Smith is short which makes him more likely to be blocked. His height, which is a slight handicap, makes his game and performances that much more impressive.
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internetter
Postdoc
Posts: 3400
Loc: Los Angeles
Reg: 11-21-04
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03-09-17 01:29 PM - Post#225900
In response to Columbia Alum
Most points taken. But, Smith had many open looks, some he created with deft ballhandling, and just missed.
And, as an announcer said during last minutes of a couple or more games, it seems the O was for him to drive, shoot. Others seemed to just watch, barely moving.
He played 849 minutes, easily the most. I think he was never taken out in one game.
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Columbia Alum
Junior
Posts: 247
Age: 38
Reg: 11-15-11
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03-09-17 06:21 PM - Post#225949
In response to internetter
And smith plays at a frenetic pace, hope others carry the load and give him a breather here and there next year.
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Old Bear
Postdoc
Posts: 4002
Reg: 11-23-04
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03-09-17 08:49 PM - Post#225975
In response to internetter
He played 849 minutes, easily the most. I think he was never taken out in one game.
Most for Columbia, perhaps, tied for 3rd in the League.
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Chet Forte
Postdoc
Posts: 2974
Reg: 03-02-08
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04-26-17 10:48 AM - Post#228934
In response to Old Bear
Check out the story by Zack Lowe on ESPN about how the Celtics protect the 5'9" Isaiah Thomas from mismatches on defense. I would attach it if I knew how to do so.
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weinhauers_ghost
Postdoc
Posts: 2142
Age: 64
Loc: New York City
Reg: 12-14-09
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04-26-17 11:38 AM - Post#228937
In response to Chet Forte
Here's the Lowe piece on Thomas.
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Columbia 37P6
Postdoc
Posts: 2180
Reg: 02-14-06
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04-26-17 11:54 AM - Post#228940
In response to Chet Forte
Mike Smith excels in every aspect of the game--physical and mental-- and had a remarkable freshman season in which he was clearly the team leader in practically every category. Last season was somewhat frustrating for Lion fans because except for Smith no one quite lived up to expectations and the team never seemed to find a consistent winning rhythm. Losing Castlin for the whole season really hurt Columbia because he is another very talented all-around player who would have certainly started in the backcourt with Smith and Hickman. Next year the Lions almost certainly will utilize a uptempo three guard offense with Smith in control at the point. Bibbs should be an impact player who probably will start immediately with Hiockman, Castlin, Davis, Adlesh, Killingsworth, Stefanini and Hanson all competing for the third guard spot. Like Princeton, Columbia, could even also go occasionally with a four guard type offense. It should be fun to see what happens.
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Murph
Masters Student
Posts: 626
Age: 63
Reg: 09-13-11
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06-13-17 08:11 AM - Post#230021
In response to Columbia 37P6
I am not yet quite sold on Smith. Yes, for lack of an alternative, he carried the team down the stretch. But I would be more convinced of Smith's leadership, had the Lions not collapsed by losing 7 out of their last 8 league games.
I think the team has a tendency to stand around and watch Smith dribble the ball.
I hope to see better ball movement, and more balanced scoring this season.
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Chet Forte
Postdoc
Posts: 2974
Reg: 03-02-08
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06-13-17 10:55 AM - Post#230040
In response to Murph
It was up to the seniors to step up and especially Luke to show the way. Smith was great and will be even better next year. Without him we would have been lost
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florida lion
Freshman
Posts: 8
Reg: 04-21-17
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06-13-17 01:08 PM - Post#230046
In response to Chet Forte
I agree with Chet. If blame needs to be assigned for the disappointing end to last season, it should not fall on Mike.
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SomeGuy
Professor
Posts: 6415
Reg: 11-22-04
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06-16-17 06:50 AM - Post#230128
In response to florida lion
The "if" here is important -- I think to a degree a road heavy 2nd half got the Lions. To some degree, when they got their wins may have been driven by who they played when, and not so much how they played.
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SomeGuy
Professor
Posts: 6415
Reg: 11-22-04
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06-16-17 06:54 AM - Post#230129
In response to Murph
To me, the question is defense more than what happens on offense with Smith. The defense was significantly worse when he was on the floor last year. Since he was on the floor so much, that could just be a sample size issue, rather than being attributable to Smith. But it would be one of my concerns.
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SRP
Postdoc
Posts: 4919
Reg: 02-04-06
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06-16-17 07:17 PM - Post#230153
In response to SomeGuy
I don't Smith wanted to dominate the ball as much as he did, but the other scorers were getting taken out of the game in the half court much of the time, not moving well without the ball and not being able to break down their man single-handed. Smith can certainly refine his game as far as setting other guys up, but I don't think he's a ball hog by temperament.
Concerns about D are always in play with shorter guards, but at least Smith is strong enough to not get muscled around too easily. CU played a lot of zone, maybe to protect him from getting posted up or mismatched on a SF after a switch.
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