He Gone: Reggie Smith Leaves Marquette.
by Rubie Q on Dec 27, 2010 9:48 AM CST
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PrintWith today's news that freshman point guard Reggie Smith has decided not to return to Marquette for the second semester, it might be time to change the music in Marquette's pregame introductions from U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" to Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust."
If you're scoring at home, this is the fourth** player to transfer from Marquette in the last year-and-a-half:
- First was Brett Roseboro, who left town before his first official practice;
- Then came Jeronne Maymon, who jumped ship at midterm last year when Coach Buzz wouldn't accede to Tim Maymon's outlandish demands;
- Then came Yous Mbao, a project player who Coach Buzz moved heaven and earth to sign in the spring of 2009;
- And now Smith, a dynamic point guard from Chicago who, according to Todd Rosiak's latest blog post, transferred after a three-minute meeting with his stepdad and Coach Buzz. Like Maymon, Smith apparently had concerns about his playing time; while he'd started five of the eight games in which he played, Reggie didn't get off the bench in Kansas City during the CBE Classic and got a DNP vs. UW-Milwaukee before sitting out the last two games due to illness.
** I've left out mention of the D.J. Newbill fiasco of last summer, even though it probably warrants mentioning here. Like everybody save for Coach Buzz and D.J. himself, I don't know what the hell actually happened there.
The rumor mill will crank into overdrive now regarding the real reason that Reggie transferred -- you'll hear that he didn't have the stones to compete with Junior Cadougan for playing time, that he didn't like Coach Buzz, that his stepdad is a helicopter parent in the mold of TIMMAY!, that Coach Buzz filled the kid's head with visions of 25-minutes-per and then failed to deliver, et cetera, et cetera.
Whatever the reason, Marquette is now desperately thin at point guard as it enters Big East play, with converted shooting guard Dwight Buycks and sophomore Junior Cadougan the only remaining point guards on the roster. Last year, when the loss of Maymon left an already-tiny team even thinner in the front court, Marquette managed to rally behind Lazar Hayward and a cast of misfits and newbies. Will the same hold true this year? We can only hope.
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The "business" of college athletics has gotten out of control!
I don’t care what the reason is, the mear fact that there seems to be these “contractual obligations” between athlete and program is sickening me. On top of the free education, housing, meals, medicine, transportation, and athletic gear…..these kids now seem to demand starting jobs, built in playing time minimums, and/or lovey dovey relationships with the coaching staff. This whole concept of “committment” is now anything but. I wish there were more Lazar Hayward’s in the world.
And like 1 year ago, I again ask.....
In the end, how many of these transfers truely work out for the athlete? The grass is always greener on the other side.
The only one I can think of is Trevor Mbakwe.
He is having an alright season up in Minnesota. He has had an interesting 2 years to say the least, so I don’t know whether that is good or bad he left.
by Bush League All Star on Dec 27, 2010 2:51 PM CST up reply actions
If we're going outside Marquette
Wes Johnson worked out OK for Syracuse after transferring from Iowa State.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Hopefully Jamil Wilson will be on this list
Except in Marquette’s favor, rather than the other way around.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
I'll give you Wes Johnson
But he left under completely different circumstances. He didn’t leave IowaSt because he didn’t think he had a big enough role……he left because they were horrible and he was good enough to play on any team in the country and thus wanted the right school and coach to get him the right coaching and exposure that would elevate him to the next level. He chose…….wisely
Mbakwe a success?
If temporarily getting suspended then playing mediocre ball on a mediocre Big10 team is defined as successful…..then yes! I will agree that he has had some good games this year, but I would bet truckloads that if he had stayed, his numbers and exposure would have been much higher than where he is at now. I hate to think of having Mbakwe the 3-amigo’s senior year and last year teamed up with Lazar. Trevor would be THE man right now in his senior year.
I get the hate, and I like it
but let’s be fair here: the Gophs are good this year, and Mbakwe’s been good, too.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
by Rubie Q on Dec 27, 2010 6:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
No i realize that
but I was too lazy to actually look up his numbers. I caught glimpses of an early season tournament with him and he seemed to be doing pretty well. What year is he exactly? 5th year junior?
Ok, I checked the stats
Mbakwe is now a junior……plays 27mpg and averages ~13ppg, 10rpg, and over 1bpg. And the gophers are ranked #13. Better than I expected…..across the board. I blame my ignorance on having a 7 week old boy that consumes all of my free time….so my bad.
It's all good. :)
The few clips on ESPN I caught with Gopher highlights, Mbakwe appeared to be a high energy type of player. Had some pretty electric dunks. But I would still say that I don’t know if it is worth the off-the-court distractions would be worth it here. I would agree with your point above that he would be a huge piece at Marquette.
by Bush League All Star on Dec 28, 2010 1:57 AM CST up reply actions
This "three minute meeting" thing is really weird.
You didn’t care enough about the kid to sit with HIM (sans stepdad) and figure out what the hell was bothering him? It’s just: “We want out,” “OK, cool, see you later”?
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
What do you expect him to do?
Does he need to re-sell them on the idea of committing to Marquette? Should he say, “You’re right Mr. Smith, I sincerely apologize for how I’ve treated your step-son. If I guarantee a starting gig and a minimum of 25 min’s per game, will he stay?”.
It sounds as if the Smith family had sat around the Christmas ham and made a firm decision. That said, I agree with Buzz’s approach and would rather he not get on his knees and beg them to stay.
Further, I know you have had your qualms with Buzz, but are you saying this is Buzz’s fault or just upset that it was a 3 minute meeting and not a 30 minute meeting?
by Mr.McCarter on Dec 27, 2010 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
I just don't understand how you put months and months into recruiting the kid
and then weeks and weeks of coaching him up … and then, at the first sign of trouble, you cut the cord without even talking to the kid by himself. If this is REALLY what Reggie wanted to do, fine, let him go. But I don’t know that anyone could suss that out in a three-minute meeting.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
A three-minute meeting where the kid doesn't even talk, I should say.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
One thing I recall hearing about Reggie
When the season first starting, was that he was kind of a quiet, almost introverted type of kid, and the coaching staff was kind of working on bringing him out of his shell so to speak. I don’t know if that’s verbatim, it was something along that line. Hearing that made me think “Hmm, I wonder if that will be an issue for him down the line?” I don’t know if that’s played a role in this decision, but I think this story may reflect that part of his personality.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 11:16 AM CST up reply actions
The thing I keep replaying in my mind
is the snippet from one of those videos where Coach Benford (or maybe it was Coach Collins, I forget) was after Reggie hard, yelling at him: “Why don’t you want to be coached today?”
Some guys don’t respond well to the stick and need the carrot.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Perhaps
The reason this meeting was only 3 minutes long is because the writing has been on the wall for weeks now. Buzz’s comments in the the Rosiak piece didn’t seem to indicate a whole lot of surprise.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 11:33 AM CST up reply actions
I didn't read it that way
but you might be right.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
It would explain the "illness" he's had the last 2 games
by Mr.McCarter on Dec 27, 2010 11:36 AM CST up reply actions
No, I think he's actually pretty sick.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Another thought...
Maybe one of the reasons they were starting him in those games was because they saw this coming, and were trying to find a way to use him and expand his role a bit. Like saying “Ok, we know you’re unhappy in where you’re at, how bout we’ll start you and try to create an ‘early game energy’ type of role for you.”
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 11:38 AM CST up reply actions
I had the same thought.
Unfortunately, starting and getting yanked after two minutes probably isn’t a good solution.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
I'm sure part of it is shear frustration on Buzz's part for that very reason
As you state, they put a $hitload of time and money into recruiting Reggie, then after 6 weeks of basketball the family decides it’s not the right place? How irrational is that on their part? What’s Buzz supposed to do. I think you are skeptical about this, but I’m sure Buzz and Co. tell the recruits and family up front that there are no guaranteed starting spots and/or playing time….ie. you get what you earn. Said family agrees and confirms that it is understood, yet 2 months into the season they suddenly think, what, that Buzz had his fingers crossed and was wink winking at them when he was saying such things during the recruitment.
I agree with Buzz in a sense that he spelled everything out clearly up front, he is THE coach in the situation, and that if they’re not all about Marquette as they originally intended, then they can walk.
by Mr.McCarter on Dec 27, 2010 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
I think the timing also plays a role
By transferring now, before the 2nd semester starts, I believe that will make him eligible for 2nd semester of next season at whatever school he ends up transferring to. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong on that.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
You're correct.
Just like Maymon.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
I'm not skeptical about the "no promises of PT" thing
for most recruits, anyway; I’d wager that Vander was told he’d see heavy minutes right off the bat. Everybody else, no. In fact, I think Reggie said in one of the “Revealed” videos that Buzz was one of the few coaches who didn’t promise him anything.
Again, my issue is this: if you love these kids as much as Buzz claims he does, wouldn’t you spent more than three minutes trying to salvage the relationship?
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Actually, I think Vander said the same thing after he committed.
That he was going to have to “earn everything”. And it seems as if every interview that Buzz/Benford/Collins commented on Vander, they praised how much he listened and wanted to be coached……..ie. he’s playing a lot of minutes, but he seems to be earning them from what they say.
Perhaps it’s not what Buzz says to them, rather the interpretation of it. Buzz always says that the hardest worker will play, so theoretically, if all the freshman are the hardest workers, they will get the bulk of the minutes. That said, maybe the recruit/family assume they will stand out amongst the rest of the players and thus will play the most. So it’s essentially an ego thing.
by Mr.McCarter on Dec 27, 2010 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
"Earn everything" doesn't always mean the same thing to everyone.
It probably sounds like a piece of cake to a high school stud, but it doesn’t always work out that way once you’re on a roster with guys that are just as talented as (if not more than) you are.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
Exactly
The translates at so many levels. High school to D1 and D1 to the pros (regardless of sport). The jump is so great that even the most talented fail if they don’t have the mentality. Big fish in small pond theory to small fish in big pond I guess.
by Mr.McCarter on Dec 27, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
That was weird
“Wanted a bigger role, quicker” was my favorite line in the piece. That’s pretty telling.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
I wish the kid well
Of course everything we say here is just us trying to wrap our heads around this whole situation. I’m curious where he’ll end up. I still think he’ll be a good player. I can see him as a mid-major super-duperstar type on account of his athleticism. If he goes to another power conference team, I think he’ll be a solid player once he gets into a role he’s comfortable with.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 11:45 AM CST reply actions
Yeah, I'm bummed.
He was the player I was most excited about after that exhibition game. Sure, it was against D-III competition, but the kid had another gear that no one on our team could match.
I think he’s going to be good. Just wish it was going to be here, that’s all.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Agreed
It’s hard to find a spot for him though, IMO. As I explained to Warrior Brad earlier, he’s Jerel McNeal without the ability to get to the rack and finish (or so he hasn’t up to this point). He’s athletic, can D up with the best of them, but isn’t tall enough and doesn’t have a good enough jumper to be a SG, and doesn’t have the handles and distribution skills of a PG. In essence, he’s somewhat of a hybrid guard. Remember it took Jerel nearly 3 years before he really took that next step, and Jerel appeared to be an insanely hard worker (ala Lazar, Wes, and Dom).
by Mr.McCarter on Dec 27, 2010 11:57 AM CST up reply actions
At least we don't have to split the time at PG 3 ways any more
I can’t figure out what exactly is holding Cadougan back (is it stamina, “headiness”, or shear lack of talent), but I’d really like to see what this kid has got. The injury may have held him back some, but it’s now or never at this point. Personally, I haven’t been a fan of the substitution patterns, so I’m hoping this gives JC some solid time running the show. I think he would be much better if we had some legitimate shooters on the team.
GTST
So, to review, the 4th best recruit in a 5 person class who’s already been passed in contributions by the 5th best recruit thinks he deserves more PT than 10 minutes a game when he was doing something to piss off Collins in Kansas City before they played the defending champs?
yawn
Who are the front runners for 2011 JUCO POY?
No more JUCO-heavy classes for a while, pleez.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Only 3 sophomores on the team
Adding one to balance classes wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, and I’m talking about 1 guy.
by Brewtown Andy on Dec 27, 2010 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
I understand.
And I don’t have a problem with one JUCO, necessarily. It’s just that the Jaes and DJOs of the JUCO ranks are few and far between, and by the time you’ve get the majority of ‘em acclimated to high-major college basketball, they’ve got one year left (if that).
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Here's the big picture concern, in my mind:
Let’s assume this is primarily Reggie’s (or Reggie’s family’s) doing; he wasn’t willing to put in the work, didn’t realize how tough the college game would be, had an overinflated opinion of his own game and how much he should be playing, isn’t a good match for Coach Buzz’s coaching style, etc.
No one saw inklings of this kind of stuff when we were recruiting him?
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
What I see
Letting a guy sign his LOI the day he committed was a bad idea, signing period or not. I think letting him commit, but making him wait til the spring to sign may have alleviated some problems.
by Brewtown Andy on Dec 27, 2010 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
You can't take that risk
If you want a kid enough to offer him, you have to get his John Hancock ASAP or you run the risk of someone else swooping in.
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
by Warrior Brad on Dec 27, 2010 1:03 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed
Many times these kids decide between a handful of schools on a whim, thus you should ink them if you want them and worry about the rest later. Sure it can bite you in the a$$, but at the same time most high school kids are so wishy washy its just best if you lock them up while you still can. (You never know who’s going to swoop in and offer a sack-full-o-cash and john deer tracktor to sign with them :) )
That is good news.
Hope he can help us in conference.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
Rubie, you bring up a good point and beat me to the punch a bit
This now leaves 2 available scholarships for next season. Before this occurred I was REALLY hoping we either A) signed another high school kid or B) just gave it to Singleton if he was deemed worthy. I think this run of JuCo players is, in the end, slightly damaging to the overall complexion of the roster and I am now afraid this opens the door to bringing in another JuCo guy. Nothing against the current JuCo transfers, but I am a HUGE believer in success driven by experience ie. 3-4 year players. Currently, our “seniors” (Jimmy, Joe, Dwight) have 2, 2, and 1 year under their belt, while our “junior” (DJO) has only 1 year under his belt.
I have no other place for this, so I'll say it here:
I have to spend 10 seconds every time you post figuring out if it’s you or Mr. Kensington, since your damned screen names are so similar. You’re like Scorpion and Sub-zero; I can barely tell the two of you apart anymore.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
That's what the pictures are for
Besides, my takes are far more rational and well thought out.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
I hate Dan Needles
But I do agree with his assessment of this scenario. He said he’s not alarmed by the transfers because:
A) This says that Marquette has a lot of talent – since a guy that was as highly regarded coming outta high school can’t get on the floor.
and
B) This is kind of thing has become more and more common – kids come in and expect to play and play a lot right away, regardless of what they’ve been told, then when they don’t they look elsewhere.
Probably an oversimplification of the situation, but it’s good that an outsider views it that way.
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
Not saying you're wrong to hate Needles
but, just curious: why do you hate him? I’m not exposed to him enough to form an opinion either way.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
I don't know exactly
He just comes up with some of the most idiotic ideas and then defends them to the death*. I’m sure there’s more to it than that, but I find the D-List far more listenable when he’s not on it.
*(The example I always use is when he came up with the idea of trading Ben Sheets for Johan Santana, straight up, when both were entering the walk year of their contracts. He argued up and down that it would be a great trade, and refused to listen to any logic on the subject. Surprisingly the Twins were in no hurry to make that trade.)
We all have to chase one rabbit. If we try to chase two rabbits we won't catch either of 'em.
by Mr. Kensington on Dec 27, 2010 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
Idiotic takes that he defends to the death?
Dude should be a blogger.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Highly regarded?
Really?
I know I’m not a recruiting expert, but really?
by Brewtown Andy on Dec 27, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
I would say yes, highly regarded
Not exactly Vander Blue highly regarded, but IMO, anyone ranked in the top100 or near the 100 mark is pretty good, and Reggie was ususally ranked right around the 100 mark from most scouting services. When using 50 states as a guage, if a player is in the top100 he is the 1st or 2nd best player in his state (rough estimate of course)…..pretty good I would say.
From the day Reggie signed his NLI:
“[Reggie] plays for one of the best high school and AAU programs in the Midwest and he has won at a very high level every step along the way,” [Buzz] Williams said. “He has been on campus multiple times over the last couple of years and is completely familiar with our players and staff and the culture we function in.”
Mulligan on that last part, then?
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
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