Columbia Grad Transfer Mike Smith Commits to Michigan
It didn't take long for Juwan Howard to move on from the transfer portal entry of David DeJulius and Seton Hall commitment of grad transfer target Bryce Aiken. Columbia grad transfer Mike Smith, who averaged 22.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season as a 5'11" lead guard, chose Michigan over Arizona, Gonzaga, and Seton Hall this afternoon.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my amazing Lord and savior Jesus Christ, without whom none of this would be possible. I’m truly blessed and excited to officially say that I will be a Michigan Wolverine. Ann Arbor it’s demon time ? #GoBlue 〽️ pic.twitter.com/cZLK7a3Xpp
— Mike Smith (@Ayeyoomike__) April 10, 2020
Smith has been tasked with carrying a bad Columbia squad for three of the last four years—he was hurt for the majority of 2018-19, hence the Ivy-mandated fifth-year transfer—and has put up really impressive traditional stats with the middling efficiency you'd expect from a 5'11" guard taking on usage nearing 40%(!) in conference play last season.
Despite their need for a point guard, Michigan will use Smith in a different fashion. By not taking on nearly as much offense, Smith should be able to hit shots with more efficiency, and the additional talent around him should open up space for his off-the-dribble game. He graded out in the 77th percentile as a pick-and-roll ballhandler last season, per Synergy, and in the 84th percentile as an isolation scorer.
[Hit THE JUMP for more stats, some highlights, and how Smith could fit into the rotation.]
Smith went 62/116 (53%) at the rim in halfcourt sets last year even though only five of his makes were assisted, according to hoop-math. There was a high degree of difficulty attached to a lot of his shots:
Smith is a career 34% three-point shooter. Again, there's potential for more at Michigan if you dig deeper into the numbers. Smith had a quick trigger in transition; if you cut those out and look at halfcourt sets, he hit 37% of his threes last year, and 25 of his 45 makes were unassisted. He graded out in the 83rd percentile on spot-up plays and the 95th when taking a no-dribble jumper on such plays. The way he was used at Columbia masked his catch-and-shoot ability.
In a needed fit for Michigan, Smith is a high-volume distributor (30.2 assist rate in 2019-20) who takes care of the ball (13.5 turnover rate). He's got the potential to be the team's primary ballhandler if he can get that to translate to his new squad.
Of course, Smith also faces a leap in competition in going from the Ivy League to the Big Ten. He'll battle with Eli Brooks for playing time at point guard. Columbia's team defense was bad last year, making it difficult to parse out how Smith will fare against high-major guards without poring over film that isn't readily available to me. He could be the team's starting point guard; he could be in an even platoon with Brooks; he could be relegated to spot minutes. I'd bet on the middle outcome at the moment.
Michigan now has one open scholarship for 2020-21; all eyes are on five-star Josh Christopher to fill that spot. Christopher's ability to handle the ball and score off the dribble would alleviate the need for Smith to play major minutes, though Smith should still be a valuable member of next year's rotation no matter what.
April 10th, 2020 at 12:35 PM ^
I know it's the Ivy League, but his stats given his usage are really impressive and exciting to say the least.
Also, "Ann Arbor it’s demon time" has got me hyped
Agreed. Though I'm a little confused by the tweet. Can it be both Jesus time and demon time?
April 10th, 2020 at 12:47 PM ^
I hope we get to see him play for Michigan.
Agreed, because that would mean an effective vaccine has been developed (way quicker than imagined) or an effective therapy to keep people off ventilators has come along. Along with effective testing and quarantine. We can dream
April 10th, 2020 at 12:57 PM ^
+80% on free throws? I could see where that might be useful too!
Just a question: are part of his numbers being what they are because Columbia was awful and he had to play a lot of minutes? I gotta think teams with blowout wins, their starters are going to play less and maybe not as flashy numbers. Just wondering if part of why his numbers are what they are is out of necessity?
With that said, should be a good option to have with Brooks and Jackson as well.
I think that's the implication. He had to score because the rest of the team was so bad, and that need affected his numbers.
I think that's the implication. He had to score because the rest of the team was so bad, and that need affected his numbers.
Before having looked at the highlights, I would've agreed with those who've indicated they'd rather have had two years of DDJ vs. one year of Smith. Having watched the highlights - and being confident in Coach Howard's ability to recruit - I think Smith will be a welcomed addition to next year's team...with his skill set and four years of experience...and the strong leadership skills that I'm assuming he possesses.
Because I have no idea why DeJulius wanted a transfer, and because his game like Zavier's was so alike, and because Howard said such great things about Zavier's leadership and coachability, I find it odd that he would have wanted to move on from a kid who played in his system for a season in favor of bringing in a newcomer whose physicality and size is so similar to DDJ.
Mike Smith is a replica of both, which means apparently, size wasn't the issue with DDJ's game. Smith is a more experienced player in terms of usage but not at the same competition level. And DDJ has more tournament and big game media exposure experience. So, this move seems to me about replacing like guys because somebody didn't get along than a step-up in talent. Maybe I'm wrong but that's what it looks like to me.
Juwan must like recruiting because the way he's setting up his roster, there is going to be a lot of new faces year to year.
None of us really have any definitive way to knowing but a lot of the rumors around DDJ are that he has legitimate NBA aspirations. And he felt like he couldn't do that sitting behind various other players at Michigan.
Frankly, I don't see it but I applaud him for taking a chance on himself, if that's what he believes. If that truly is the case, the transfer makes a little more sense.
Even if you strike out on the NBA, the next rung down the ladder (top Euro leagues) still gives you a lot of earning potential. Stars in the top leagues in Europe make seven figure salaries and steady pros make mid-six figures. take another step down and you still could make a salary a few times the average Michigan grad. Even guys like Stu Douglass and Jordan Morgan are making a living.
For most hoops players, the career is 10 years or less. You need to start on as high of a rung as possible to maximize your career earnings. That means getting noticed as early as possible. A high college profile can get you drafted in the NBA, it can also get you a good agent that will help you maximize your earnings in Europe or elsewhere if the NBA doesn't come knocking.
I'm not saying whether or not DDJ made the right choice, but it is quite plausible and defensible that he did.If basketball is your most marketable skill, market it.
In the end, it likely had nothing to with "wanting to move on" from DDJ, and that it was simply the latter not feeling it was the best place for him anymore.
I agree 100%. From what I can tell, Juwan is not the type of person to move on from anybody, and I think his roster shows it.
DDJ did not get chased off. This wasn’t a personality thing, he just wants to be the main guy somewhere
Ace, you weren’t kidding about high degree of difficulty shots. My God.
I know Aiken was the first choice, but this a better pickup right? I mean Aiken had trouble staying healthy the last 3 years and this guy never left the floor and carried his team. Not sure how they compare defensively but I think this a really solid addition.
Totally agree - if we get a guy for 1 year only, I want him available!
Glad to get the workhorse, not the crystal pony!
Well his hair game is solid, at least.
Good news. I like the pick up. The key will be how Smith adapts to the increased athleticism he'll see in the Big Ten. He's going to need to be even more creative at getting his shots off, as he doesn't really elevate that well on his jumpers. But he looks to have great shooting touch which can make up for a lot.
That 53% at the rim is pretty impressive if that video is a reasonably representative sampling...he rarely actually gets all the way to the rim. Slightly concerned about the viability of those same shots with Big 10 shot blockers, but if he can hit open outside jumpers and pass the ball, I'm okay with that.
Yeah those were some tough shots and he’s not going to be able to do that consistently in the Big aren. Hopefully next year he can play more within himself and let the offense get him looks rather than just having to heroball.
One thing I look for in highlights is what does the player do when given a small window to shoot. In high school you see elevated numbers because size or speed gets you an easy shot at the rack. I dont see most defenders doing much better than what we see in this video. With 2-3 viable scorers on the floor the kid is going to be loving it. He looks like senior Derrick Walton in Zavier Simpson form. I actually think a backcourt of him and Brooks could be fun. If Brooks keeps the light on all season this backcourt could be really good.
I would imagine that Brooks will start at point with Christopher at the 2, and Smith replacing Brooks at point. Not sure that we'll see too much of Brooks and Smith, but I guess he could play the 2 as well.
Can't wait to see what coach does with all this talent. Going to be some fun squads out there.
Welcome, Mike!
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MICHIGAN BASKETBALL SMITHS
Despite how common the name is, we've only ever had nine Smiths.
He's the Michigan basketball team's first Smith since Jerret, who was kicked off the team by Beilein in 2007.
No doubt the all-time greatest Michigan basketball Smith is Keith, if only because of one glorious thing he did. Keith hit two free throws at Crisler with no time remaining in 1979 to lead U-M over MSU, 49-48. I was at that game and man, the place exploded. Probably the loudest I've ever heard Crisler.
One of our more notable Smiths was Brandon, who played for three seasons in the Ellerbe era before transferring to San Diego State. He was caught up in a controversy where he supposedly stole some items from another student. He averaged 6.3 PPG over his career here.
Yes, I'll take a point guard who hits 82% of his free throws, thank you very much.
He's got quick feet and a good handle. Doesn't seem as strong as Simpson but might be as quick. Definitely seems like a better shooter than Simpsons though. I think he might be better with the ball than Brooks, seems like more of a natural PG. I'm kind of excited for him actually. If Christopher comes too they'll have some dudes who can really take it to the rack.
I actually got to watch Smith play up close this year -- sitting courtside for the Columbia-Yale game (courtside tickets at an Ivy League game -- that's a half-flex if there ever was one). My impressions boil down to:
- He is fearless;
- He is fun to watch;
- He can play;
- He is probably not 5'11"
He's pretty much the polar opposite of Eli Brooks, by the way. The Professor plays smart and cautiously; the Ivy league transfer plays fast and ... not cautiously.
In terms of sliding in an playing a role right away -- I guess I can see it? He might end up the preferred point guard for the Fab whatever coming in, while Brooks runs the Livers-Franz-Johns set.
For Smith the biggest hurdle will be adapting from the situation of being the beast among men to being a man among beasts. At Columbia, Smith had the green light to jack up just about anything. He didn't really have to think about whether it was good for the team -- it was probably better than whatever else the possession might lead to. At Michigan, I doubt that same logic will make sense. I bet it takes sometime to make that adjustment.
Watching his video, all I could think of was Carson Edwards.
Great News! Welcome Aboard!
He’s as good as Z but can shoot.
Sounds like Jaaron Simmons...
April 11th, 2020 at 10:28 AM ^
He has a nice game. Looks like he needs to develop the hook shot.
As long as he can assist (not much in video but stats look okay), I’m all for it. Good shooter. What UM will need is a QB who can distribute the ball to the beaucoup talent they should have around him.
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