By PAUL GOTHAM
Early returns show Scoochie Smith and the Dayton Flyers have picked up where they left off.
Handing out five assists per game while scoring 15.5, Scoochie and the Flyers are off to a 2-0 start. The now senior point guard has increased his three-point percentage (albeit a small sample size) from 38.2 (1.4/3.7) per game a year ago to 42.9 (three for seven) currently. This is part of an overall uptick in his shooting numbers from 43.9 percent last year to 52.4 going into Saturday’s home contest against the No. 17 Saint Mary’s Gaels.
What the numbers can’t show is Scoochie’s overall impact on the UD offense, and it is a contribution that may seem so simple.
“There are so many good things that can happen on the pass ahead, Scoochie is one of the best at doing that,” ESPN analyst Kara Lawson said recently by phone. “That’s a big part of their offense and their attack and what they do.
“You’ll see some point guards who never pass ahead. They just keep it because they want the assist because they want the score. His intention is to find the best possible way that the team will score. That is evidenced to me by how well he passes ahead in transition.”
On the receiving end of those passes are teammates Charles Cooke, Darrell Davis and Kyle Davis who have confidence knowing if they run the floor, they will get ball.
“He’s allowing those guys to see if they have a clean look or an opportunity to drive,” continued Lawson who was a two-time All American point guard at Tennessee. She led the Volunteers to three Final Four appearances in 2000, 2002 and 2003. “It should be a part of your game as a point guard to pass ahead because it’s so good for the offense. It’s faster. It enables your wings to get downhill in the half-court…It’s better for your post. They’re going to see more one-on-one coverage. There are less double teams if you pass ahead and get a post entry after that.”
It’s also the way in which the senior point guard has a knack for picking his spots. Scoochie scored 13 of his game-high 20 and handed out three assists in the second half of Tuesday’s come-from-behind win over Alabama.
“He has great toughness,” Lawson noted. “Going around to watch practices over the last decade it is rare to find players who have true toughness. Who are really, really tough. Mentally tough. Physically tough. Who aren’t affected by the differing emotions and the differing runs within a game. He’s stays pretty focused on what he needs to do.”
Of Dayton’s 46 second-half points, Scoochie accounted for 20 with his two assists (coming after his steals) leading to a layup and jumper and his third helper leading to a Ryan Mikesell three-pointer for a 70-67 advantage in the game’s final minute.
“He’s very crafty,” Lawson added. “He’s very good with the basketball. His ballhandling is excellent. He knows what he wants to do in a given play, and it’s hard to keep him from where he wants to go. It sounds very simple, but that’s really hard in basketball.
“To be able to slow your mind enough so that you know what you want to do. To have an intimate knowledge of whatever system your in, an intimate knowledge of the plays and then to know where you need to go. You’re not having to think as much. You’re just able to play because you know what and where. To be able to get there.
“To see players succeed and flourish in those circumstances is always really cool. I always have a lot of respect for guys who are able to put it all together at a young age. It doesn’t feel like 22 is young anymore in college basketball, but it’s still young in terms of knowing the game and grasping the game. I definitely appreciate the way Scoochie plays.”
Dayton and Saint Mary’s will tip off at 2 pm on Saturday.
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