According to the ETSU website a decision has still NOT been made on Mike Smith's return this year. Does that mean there is a chance they will try and bring him back this season?
That would be the worst idea in the long history of bad ideas. It's January 9th and the season is half over...it's just not worth it. Bringing him back now would be a total waste of Mike Smith. I'd rather sacrifice this season (we only lose Davis anyway) then to bring Smith back for at best a month.
(01-09-2010 01:10 AM)Goldfinger Wrote: [ -> ]According to the ETSU website a decision has still NOT been made on Mike Smith's return this year. Does that mean there is a chance they will try and bring him back this season?
That would be the worst idea in the long history of bad ideas. It's January 9th and the season is half over...it's just not worth it. Bringing him back now would be a total waste of Mike Smith. I'd rather sacrifice this season (we only lose Davis anyway) then to bring Smith back for at best a month.
Wholeheartedly agree.
Mike has made himself one of ETSU's greats. He deserves a complete senior season.
This young team has some glaring holes, and it must be killing Mike to watch and imagine what he could add at his best. They need another reliable scorer - they need a steady hand down the stretch in close games - they need more size, especially against 6'6" 220 athletic types. When they are in the mix for best in the A-Sun, it must be easy for Mike to think that he would be the one piece to put them over the top.
But this bunch is finding it's way, learning as they go. They are already competitive in conference, without Mike sacrificing himself. And they are making progress.
Be patient as these guys learn, Mike. Help from the sideline, and in practice. But remember that everybody but Jocolby will be back next year. IMHO, it would be far better for you to be the leader of an experienced group next year, then to waste so much trying to help a learning team this year. And, heck, this team might just be good enough without you... for this year, that is.
We all want to see you back, Mike. But in a setting that is right for you, and for the team.
Will he be graduating in May and looking to move on with his life?
Disagree. Here's why-
Remember 2003? How much better is ETSU if Tiras Wade isn't suspended?
Are they, I don't know, three points better in their game against Wake Forest?
It's a subjective arguement, but I'm sure you're like me and thinking "Probably!"
And how far could that team have gone in the NCAAs if they had him? Would Auburn, the 10th seed, in the next round really have been that tough? What about Syracuse, who Auburn only lost to by a point?
A sweetly ironic game against Oklahoma to get to the Final Four?
ETSU could have made a Davidson/George Masonesque run before either Davidson or George Mason did.
So if Smith would be available for the NCAA Tournament, how could you NOT use him? I don't even think it's a sure thing he could get a medical redshirt.
Don't give me the team is young and will be back next year and then Smith could have an ENTIRE SEASON. Bird in the hand is better than one in the bush. All sorts of factors could come into play.
Does Smith have enough credits to graduate? If so, he may not want to return.
So the odds are not playing Smith, if healthy, if ETSU would make the NCAAs would be preventing Smith from playing in the NCAA Tournament again. You're taking away the most visible opportunity he will ever have to play.
That's a reward?
No, that's the setting that is right for Mike Smith, and right for the team.
I don't agree with that at all. I remember 2003. I remember a team that didn't find itself until Tiras Wade was kicked off. Once that happened the team suddenly found chemistry and had the right mix to win the SoCon. Tiras Wade was a great player. No denying that. But for whatever reason he did not fit the chemical makeup of ETSU in 2003. Thus Dechellis got rid of him. As soon as he did we started winning. I have always believed that to be the secret of that championship season.
As far as Mike getting a medical redshirt...I would be very shocked if he didn't. I would be more shocked if he turned down an extra year on the court than I would be if Paul Stanton came to the next ballgame nude with giant tattoo of Jesus on his ass. (I believe he is Jewish)
After Wade was suspended, and really kicked off the team, the Bucs dropped two of three.
But what's the point? That the Bucs were better off without Tirus Wade in 2003, and they'd be better off without Mike Smith in 2010?
I thought Smith was a good player; one that helped the team.
My bad.
I`m pretty sure Mike enjoys ETSU so him not wanting to come back isn't the issue IMO. The issue is going to be helping for part of this season vs helping for all of next season. Personally I see no reason why Mike should come back, from his perspective or the team's perspective. While he may be practicing he hasn't played in a meaningful game in months. From the team perspective Mike coming back would further muddy an already muddy rotation and IMO stunt the growth of some younger players.
Plus we could have a REALLY good team next year if he comes back.
The point is that I don't think it's an accurate comparison. Although talented, Tirus Wade brought with him a plethora of problems that Mike Smith is completely without.
I like our chances of actually winning a game in the NCAA next year (although a long shot) with Mike Smith better than I do of getting to the NCAA this year with Mike Smith for a few days.
The difference between Justin Tubbs this year and next could be as dramatic as the difference between Tiggs's senior year to his junior. Couple that with a healthy Mike Smith and a senior season for Tommy Hubbard and you might have another big three. Not to mention the maturity of everyone else. Perhaps our point guard delima will be figured out by then.
Mike Smith will come back just as sure as Timmy Smith loved to miss class for long road trips. I think sometimes the elderly forget what it is to be young.
I completely agree. A medical redshirt for Mike Smith would be incredible for next season. While it's been really sloppy, the team is off and running in conference play with him in street clothes, forcing alot of the other guys to step it up. Imagine next season with what we have returning along with Mike Smith.
(01-09-2010 10:24 AM)Goldfinger Wrote: [ -> ]The point is that I don't think it's an accurate comparison. Although talented, Tirus Wade brought with him a plethora of problems that Mike Smith is completely without.
I like our chances of actually winning a game in the NCAA next year (although a long shot) with Mike Smith than I do of getting to the NCAA this year with Mike Smith for a few days.
The difference between Justin Tubbs this year and next could be as dramatic as the difference between Tiggs's senior year to his junior. Couple that with a healthy Mike Smith and a senior season for Tommy Hubbard and you might have another big three. Not to mention the maturity of everyone else. Perhaps our point guard delima will be figured out by then.
Mike Smith will come back just as sure as Timmy Smith loved to miss class for long road trips. I think sometimes the elderly forget what it is to be young.
We still need a scoring big for next season, of course Bartow said we were going to get bigger and more athletic after the Clemson game in 06 and it didn't happen.
Nutt22:
In fairness to Bartow, he did sign a 6-11, 250 post man from Indiana who showed a lot of potential as a freshman. Unfortunately, we'll never know how good Seth Coy might have become. But Bartow did what he said he was going to try to do--sign a big man with some ability.
I hope this isn't a factor with Mike. But if I understand the new NCAA rule, he could not play this year, graduate from ETSU and then use his fifth year of eligibility at another school next year. UAB has two players--George Drake (Vanderbilt) and Kenneth Cooper (LA Tech)--who did that.
The only way that makes much sense for Mike would be if he wanted to get back closer to home and maybe enroll in a graduate program that ETSU doesn't have. The UAB guys transferred because of so-so playing time (Drake) and a discipline problem (Cooper). Neither of those apply to Mike.
I think he will be back at ETSU for his fifth year next year. Have no idea why they haven't already made that official.
(01-09-2010 06:18 PM)Baxterboy Wrote: [ -> ]I hope this isn't a factor with Mike. But if I understand the new NCAA rule, he could not play this year, graduate from ETSU and then use his fifth year of eligibility at another school next year. UAB has two players--George Drake (Vanderbilt) and Kenneth Cooper (LA Tech)--who did that.
The only way that makes much sense for Mike would be if he wanted to get back closer to home and maybe enroll in a graduate program that ETSU doesn't have. The UAB guys transferred because of so-so playing time (Drake) and a discipline problem (Cooper). Neither of those apply to Mike.
It might not be as simple as he wants to come back another year or not. "They" haven't made that official yet because "they" can't yet. It can and has been said that the team might seek a medical redshirt for Mike, but the results as I understand wouldn't be approved until after the season ends. The story as I've heard from my own little birddies is that it is thought he has been suffering from a stress fracture just below the knee, which is an unusual location for that type of injury to occur. But it has also been difficult to prove with x-rays, mri's and the like. That is why a medical redshirt is not as sure a thing as in most cases one would think. If a redshirt approval is not a sure thing, and Mike feels he's capable of playing and helping the team make a push at tournament time it is a possible he might just choose to play at the end of this season rather than take the chance of maybe coming back next year. It might not be as simple as he wants to come back another year or not.
I think he will be back at ETSU for his fifth year next year. Have no idea why they haven't already made that official.
(01-09-2010 06:14 PM)Baxterboy Wrote: [ -> ]Nutt22:
In fairness to Bartow, he did sign a 6-11, 250 post man from Indiana who showed a lot of potential as a freshman. Unfortunately, we'll never know how good Seth Coy might have become. But Bartow did what he said he was going to try to do--sign a big man with some ability.
Not trying to sound insensitive but Coy was always a project and his signing came 3 years after Bartow made the statement.
I hope he is healthy enough so there is a choice of whether he comes back for the end of this season or not.
Pitt had a good point (excuse while I double-check those previous few words); if he is healthy and could back and give us a boost to get into the tourney, he will have to think about it.
Why do you have to double check those past few words?
Most of the time, coming back this year would make sense, but the potential of next year's team is really intriguing. I can see why they haven't made a decision yet - I think they want to see how the team develops a little more this year, and obviously you don't want to take chances with a kid's health. If his injury were more immediately damaging, I think they would have already made the call.
(01-11-2010 07:26 AM)PittsburghBucs Wrote: [ -> ]Why do you have to double check those past few words?
It was a joke. It hurts to admit you have a great point.
I think the reason this is taking time is because Mike wants to play so badly..'
I suspect the red shirt process has started..
Would not be surprised to see Mike do the same thing Tommy did last year and come off the red shirt later.. if it could send the Bucs back to the NCAA's
But most likely.. he will be back for a full year next year.. and with this young bunch having another year experience.. and Mike... WOW!!!!
J.C. Press, 1/29/10
Sidelined Smith stays involved
Kelly Hodge
East Tennessee State’s senior guard is trying to stay involved with the team as much as possible as he slowly works himself back into basketball shape. Sidelined as a medical redshirt after suffering a stress fracture in his left leg, Smith said Thursday that he’s been getting more active with his conditioning regimen.
“I’ve been riding a bike and running in the pool,” he said, “and the last couple of days I’ve been practicing a little bit — not jumping so much but running up and down to get a little exercise. I’d like to practice twice a week and continue to see where my leg is at.”
Right now Smith estimates his fitness at “85-90 percent. I had some testing done and found out there was a stress fracture in my tibia, the knot just below the kneecap. But I’m doing pretty good; I think my leg is pretty much healed.”
The Bucs have certainly missed Smith and his leadership, not to mention the 15-plus points and seven or eight rebounds a game he surely would have provided. And Smith has certainly missed being on the floor with his teammates.
“It’s not fun watching, especially when it’s my senior year,” he said. “I didn’t want to sit out, but I’m keeping it in perspective. I can finish my degree (in business management) and start on my master’s. And I know we’ll have a pretty good team next year.”
The Bucs aren’t bad even without Smith. The defending Atlantic Sun Conference champs just defeated Campbell on Wednesday night to move into a three-way tie atop the standings.
“I’m proud of them,” said Smith. “A lot of people didn’t think we’d be where we are right now, but those guys have continued to work hard in practice and play together. They’re tied for first, so that’s not too bad.”
Smith says he will return as a wiser player next season.
“Sitting on the sidelines, I’ve been able to get the coaches’ perspective,” he said. “I think I’ll be able to bring that leadership next year, knowing more what they’re talking about.”
———
There are still plenty of contenders at the midpoint of the A-Sun race.
ETSU, Campbell and Jacksonville are all 7-3. Lipscomb is 7-4, while Belmont and Mercer each have five losses.
At this stage, Jacksonville looks like the best bet to win the regular-season championship. The Dolphins were the preseason favorite but staggered through a brutal early schedule, losing seven of their first eight games. Now they’re the hot team, with eight straight wins.
The Bucs can solidify their status in the next few days. Lipscomb visits the Dome on Saturday, followed by Belmont on Monday night.