DANCE PARTY
After not sniffing NCAA’s at Columbia, Smith soaking it all in with Michgan
It was a formality. Michigan was going to be a No. 1 seed. The Wolverines’ NCAA Tournament hopes were not hanging in the balance. They weren’t on the bubble.
It didn’t matter to Mike Smith. He was still excited, like a kid waking up on Christmas morning. He had watched the tournament and the selection show for years.
But on Sunday, he was finally a part of it.
“It was just a crazy moment that I will never forget,” the point guard told The Post in a phone interview, recalling when Michigan was announced as the No. 1 seed in the East Region. “That was a surreal moment, like, ‘Man, we’re actually here.’ When they call your name on Selection Sunday, it’s just different.”
Smith had never experienced it before. In fact, he didn’t even have a previous chance to take part in a postseason format, or enjoy a winning season, as a college basketball player. Columbia, with which he started his college career, had never reached the Ivy League’s four-team tournament or recorded more wins than losses in his time there.
But with his Ivy League eligibility up after last season — graduate students can’t play in the conference — Smith was determined to finish his career on a winning note. He entered his name into the transfer portal before last season, giving teams a chance to watch him play. Smith was up front with schools he didn’t believe had a chance to reach the tournament, telling them he wasn’t interested.
When Michigan called shortly after the 2019-20 season ended prematurely because of COVID-19, Smith didn’t have to talk to anyone else. The Big Ten program was exactly what he was looking for. The Wolverines had an opening at point guard, they were close to his home in Chicago, and head coach Juwan Howard was the one making the call.
“The chances of me not coming here were very slim,” Smith said.
There was still uncertainty how his game would translate. At Columbia, Smith was a big scorer, averaging 22.8 points per game last season. He was admittedly not a strong defender, choosing to preserve energy for the offensive end. That wouldn’t fly at Michigan. His role completely changed. He became a facilitator, someone who made sure everyone was involved, thinking pass first and shoot second. His defense improved. Now, he exerts all of his energy on that end of the floor.
“It’s totally different,” he said. “I’m playing with NBA guys, an NBA coaching staff. It’s a whole different ball game.”
The 5-foot-11 Smith has been a focal point for Michigan from the outset of this season. He has sacrificed scoring numbers and led the Big Ten in assists at 5.4 per game, a career high, while shooting a personal-best 44.4 percent from 3-point range. He notched his lowest turnover numbers (2.1) since his freshman year. Though his 9.1 points per game are significantly down from what he posted at Columbia, he has reached double figures in four of his past six games. In the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal victory over Maryland, Smith set a conference record with 15 assists.
“Each and every guy in the locker room, he’s won their trust,” Howard said.
Smith hasn’t forgotten about Columbia. He still talks to his former teammates in a group text chain and credits them with his accomplishments at Michigan. Without them, Smith said, he wouldn’t have been in a position to develop into the player he has become.
Those familiar with Smith aren’t surprised he has adapted so well. He always performed well against top competition at Columbia. In his final season there, he scored 23 points against Wake Forest, 20 against St. John’s and averaged 36 in a pair of losses to Ivy League powerhouse Harvard.
“Watching him, it’s almost like he’s become a key to that team in one year,” Columbia coach Jim Engles said. “That gives you an idea of how good of a player he is.”
Engles is happy for his former point guard. In what has been a frustrating year without a season — the Lions only began working out over the past month — Smith has given his former players and coaches someone to follow and root for.
“I know a lot of Columbia people have followed Michigan because of Mike,” Engles said. “It’s really the one thing that’s kept everybody connected.”
Smith doesn’t miss his days of 30point games. That was the result of need, not want. All that mattered to him was winning and getting to experience March Madness. Saturday afternoon, that dream will become a reality. He admitted there will be butterflies after imagining for so long what it would be like to play in the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m just going to go out there and enjoy the moment, play as hard as I can,” Smith said, “because it could be the last time I put on a Michigan jersey, and I want to be able to win it all.”