College decision not far off for Illinois Mr. Basketball Mark Smith
- Thread starter preacher_tom
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He wants to get on the court right away next season.
“I know I’m going to get a great education wherever I go,” Smith said. “But just having an impact as a freshman and developing into the best basketball player I can, so I can hopefully achieve my dreams. Go to the NBA.”
Not sure he wants he will want to come where there is no guarantee of playing time.
“I know I’m going to get a great education wherever I go,” Smith said. “But just having an impact as a freshman and developing into the best basketball player I can, so I can hopefully achieve my dreams. Go to the NBA.”
Not sure he wants he will want to come where there is no guarantee of playing time.
If he wants to go to the NBA, then he needs to come here. I'm not sure if anyone here is aware of this but sending players to the NBA is kind of what UK does.
I'd much rather have Johnson, but if Smith commits first then Cal will have brought in 2 high level multiple year shooters that so many have been clamoring for. At the end of the day, I think next season boils down to Bam or Bamba, if we have either one anchoring on both sides we'll have every piece you could need.
I'd much rather have Johnson, but if Smith commits first then Cal will have brought in 2 high level multiple year shooters that so many have been clamoring for. At the end of the day, I think next season boils down to Bam or Bamba, if we have either one anchoring on both sides we'll have every piece you could need.
KSR now saying Duke is interested in him as well.
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/duke-now-going-after-mark-smith/
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/duke-now-going-after-mark-smith/
He's really an interesting prospect since he was mostly focused on baseball and is just now coming into his own as a basketball player.I think he will be really good in a couple of years.Would love to have him but think he goes to Michigan State.
Cal told him he wants him as a combo guard so not too sure when he says this:
“I feel like I’m better with the ball in my hands as a point guard, but I can play either/or,” he said.
“I feel like I’m better with the ball in my hands as a point guard, but I can play either/or,” he said.
These kids say one thing and then pick based on another. I have a hard time puttng stock in anything they say.
I think almost universally, most kids think that the best way to get to the NBA is to play early and show the scouts what they can do.
I would say it's clear coming to UK and practicing vs the best is always the right answer, especially if you're a lower ranked kid.
I think almost universally, most kids think that the best way to get to the NBA is to play early and show the scouts what they can do.
I would say it's clear coming to UK and practicing vs the best is always the right answer, especially if you're a lower ranked kid.
I wonder why Cuonzo is not going after him harder? I know the baseball program may have left a bad taste in his mouth, but Martin is new blood and Smith would be a perfect candidate to come in an contribute immediately.
If Cameron Johnson is not UK bound, Mark Smith is the best backup plan we could ever possibly hope for. Smith rapidly climbed the rankings and still ended up a bit low. Looks like a top 30 recruit to me, if not better.
If they were both FR, Smith would look like Jamal Murray compared to Cam, but that 3 year advantage is pretty big.
Johnson would've been Pre-season 2nd or 3rd team, scored over 18ppg, and been the unquestionable leader had he stayed at Pittsburgh.
I could see Mark Smith having the same amount of talent if he busts his butt as a FR his SO year as Johnson does now, but those 3 years experience put Johnson ahead in quite a few categories.
Then if you look at our team makeup and complete lack of experience, it makes Cam even more coveted.
I'd hate to lose out on Smith only to see Johnson go elsewhere. Smith will be a heck of a player by season's end and one of the top SO in the NCAA by next year if he were taught by Cal at UK.
If Smith is ready to commit to UK, but we can only get one of the 2, it is going to be a really tough choice to make. Of course Cam is #1 on the board, but if UK can't gauge his interest level, it is a TOUGH decision to make.
I don't think I would offer Smith a commitable scholarship until I at least had a face to face with Cam, if I were Calipari. It all comes down to experience on a team full of FR to me.
When Cal gets his face to face with Cam, which I hope happens between April 21st and 23rd (it is currently a dead period... Wait, does that apply to grad transfers?), I think we will see where we are at in regards to Johnson and Smith.
Even though Johnson is in no hurry to commit, I'm sure Cal will be able to gauge his interest enough as to whether Smith is the better take right now or not. Surely, one would scare the other one off from coming since they'd be battling for the same minutes. 25-30mpg for Cam on the wing, 10-15mpg for Smith on the wing.
Plus, while UK sits on the fence, MSU, Duke, and Illinois are going all in for Smith. If Calipari wants Smith in Lexington, I'd think he'd have to cut bait on Johnson ASAP, and move to Smith 100% over the next week.
That's why he's the best recruiter in the game and I'm just a fan. With one of the most coveted Grad transfers at a position of need showing interest, do you take a great FR now (if still possible) or wait a month or more for the big fish to decide?
In my completely worthless opinion as always.
If they were both FR, Smith would look like Jamal Murray compared to Cam, but that 3 year advantage is pretty big.
Johnson would've been Pre-season 2nd or 3rd team, scored over 18ppg, and been the unquestionable leader had he stayed at Pittsburgh.
I could see Mark Smith having the same amount of talent if he busts his butt as a FR his SO year as Johnson does now, but those 3 years experience put Johnson ahead in quite a few categories.
Then if you look at our team makeup and complete lack of experience, it makes Cam even more coveted.
I'd hate to lose out on Smith only to see Johnson go elsewhere. Smith will be a heck of a player by season's end and one of the top SO in the NCAA by next year if he were taught by Cal at UK.
If Smith is ready to commit to UK, but we can only get one of the 2, it is going to be a really tough choice to make. Of course Cam is #1 on the board, but if UK can't gauge his interest level, it is a TOUGH decision to make.
I don't think I would offer Smith a commitable scholarship until I at least had a face to face with Cam, if I were Calipari. It all comes down to experience on a team full of FR to me.
When Cal gets his face to face with Cam, which I hope happens between April 21st and 23rd (it is currently a dead period... Wait, does that apply to grad transfers?), I think we will see where we are at in regards to Johnson and Smith.
Even though Johnson is in no hurry to commit, I'm sure Cal will be able to gauge his interest enough as to whether Smith is the better take right now or not. Surely, one would scare the other one off from coming since they'd be battling for the same minutes. 25-30mpg for Cam on the wing, 10-15mpg for Smith on the wing.
Plus, while UK sits on the fence, MSU, Duke, and Illinois are going all in for Smith. If Calipari wants Smith in Lexington, I'd think he'd have to cut bait on Johnson ASAP, and move to Smith 100% over the next week.
That's why he's the best recruiter in the game and I'm just a fan. With one of the most coveted Grad transfers at a position of need showing interest, do you take a great FR now (if still possible) or wait a month or more for the big fish to decide?
In my completely worthless opinion as always.
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Our back court isn't becoming crowded. There are 4 guards on the roster.
Cal has also shown he will play some 3-guard lineups, especially with Diallo because of his length and athleticism.
There's plenty of opportunity for Smith. His competition is to probably beat out one of Baker or Alexander.
Cal has also shown he will play some 3-guard lineups, especially with Diallo because of his length and athleticism.
There's plenty of opportunity for Smith. His competition is to probably beat out one of Baker or Alexander.
KA4PREZ,
I see what you're saying and really hope that the players see it the same way!
Johnson would be sparingly used at the 2, 80% at the 3, and maybe a few minutes here and there at the 4 when we go with a small lineup.
I see what you're saying and really hope that the players see it the same way!
Johnson would be sparingly used at the 2, 80% at the 3, and maybe a few minutes here and there at the 4 when we go with a small lineup.
I hope that's how he sees it too.
I mean, he knows that whether he committed to UK 2 weeks ago or 2 weeks from now, he's not guaranteed anything. However, the competition is probably just as winnable as those other places.
Smith is impressive, but doubtful that he's being handled a starting spot at any elite program. Not MSU. Not Duke. Not UK.
I mean, he knows that whether he committed to UK 2 weeks ago or 2 weeks from now, he's not guaranteed anything. However, the competition is probably just as winnable as those other places.
Smith is impressive, but doubtful that he's being handled a starting spot at any elite program. Not MSU. Not Duke. Not UK.
Green and SGA at pg
Diallo and Baker at SG
If Smith is competing for minutes, he's competing for backup minutes. Probably most kids envision themselves competing to start.
I think Smith would get more minutes than Baker or SGA. Something like 14-16 mpg depending how thinks end up shaking out. His ratings began to rapidly rise near the end and more coaches are showing interest by the day. Smith is a more talented FR than Charles Matthews was, by a nice margin, in my worthless opinion, and he still managed 10 mpg while battling Ullis, Briscoe, Murray, and Hawkins for minutes.
That's a lot more backcourt talent than Smith would be fighting for minutes with, I would think. (Green, SGA, Diallo, Baker).
Plus, I love Johnson to death and think he would be a GREAT pickup, but if we are facing a team that starts 3 guards that are all in the 6'3" range, Johnson and Vanderbilt would have a difficult time playing the 3 on defense while giving up 5-6". I could see Smith picking up extra minutes in those situations
That's a lot more backcourt talent than Smith would be fighting for minutes with, I would think. (Green, SGA, Diallo, Baker).
Plus, I love Johnson to death and think he would be a GREAT pickup, but if we are facing a team that starts 3 guards that are all in the 6'3" range, Johnson and Vanderbilt would have a difficult time playing the 3 on defense while giving up 5-6". I could see Smith picking up extra minutes in those situations
Absolutely disagree. You gotta be the only person on the planet who thinks Smith would play over Shai. From watching the DC, I just don't think Smith can create his own shot. He probably should go to MSU where they will screen for him.
The reason he didn't score more in the DC is because he is not quick enough off the bounce to get to the rim. It was there for the taking all night long as other guards in the game had no problem. Shai looked like a top 5 player against the DC comp.
Smith limo is a classic Big 10 guard who may have success if you run him off screens and let him backdoor cut etc. things that UK doesn't do. Really who did he beat out for Mr Basketball? Not a stellar year for Illinois talent wise.
IS this an indication that either Allen is leaving or Duval not happenening. Honestly, it smacks of desperation.
Shai can win a thousand 3 point contests and Mark Smith will always be a better shooter than him.
I think as far as additions on the wing we only need ten minutes a game. My guess there's situations he's a third guard. If he can become the pg there is zero need for a pg next year after. He's sorta like a Andrew Harrison, and he wasn't bad.
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