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Blake Smith Appreciation Thread

AdamOnFirst

AdamOnFirst

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
9,723
1,369
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If you were to search through my posts around here the last few weeks, you would find a fairly skeptical attitude towards his ability to contribute beyond token amount.

Tonight, he called BS on all that. He was far from perfect and still isn’t a guy I need to see handling the ball a lot, but he stepped out there as a young walkon and played competent, competitive defense against a Jahmir Young led team and made a few key and excellent offensive plays, especially in the paint. We needed him tonight and he delivered. Very impressive, maybe this team is deep!
 
lunker35

lunker35

Sophomore
Jan 1, 2010
5,679
165
62
Let’s not forget Reggie Hearn was one of the better players we’ve ever had by the end of his career. Why can’t Blake be the next Reggie.
 
M

MickeyCat

Redshirt
May 29, 2001
428
3
13
Yes, and Blake Smith looks relaxed and comfortable taking a free throw shot. Impressive.
 
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hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,314
1,110
113
AdamOnFirst said:
If you were to search through my posts around here the last few weeks, you would find a fairly skeptical attitude towards his ability to contribute beyond token amount.

Tonight, he called BS on all that. He was far from perfect and still isn’t a guy I need to see handling the ball a lot, but he stepped out there as a young walkon and played competent, competitive defense against a Jahmir Young led team and made a few key and excellent offensive plays, especially in the paint. We needed him tonight and he delivered. Very impressive, maybe this team is deep!
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All three (Smith, Clayton and Mullins) are getting valuable minutes and for the most part they have held their own. And each has made valuable contributions
 
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EvanstonCat

Senior
May 29, 2001
50,765
762
73
Who is Blake Smith? He’s a walk on? Where did he come from? Why wasn’t he recruited by anyone? How come he’s playing ahead of our scholarship guards? Bad recruiting or he’s a lucky find for us?
 
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EvanstonCat

Senior
May 29, 2001
50,765
762
73
lunker35 said:
Let’s not forget Reggie Hearn was one of the better players we’ve ever had by the end of his career. Why can’t Blake be the next Reggie.
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Reggie had his story. He played on a team in Hs where at 6’5 he was the tallest guy and had to play center. Never was evaluated as anything but a short big. At the B1G level he played a more natural position for his height and was well sized as a guard.

What’s Blake Smith’s story?
 
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hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,314
1,110
113
EvanstonCat said:
Who is Blake Smith? He’s a walk on? Where did he come from? Why wasn’t he recruited by anyone? How come he’s playing ahead of our scholarship guards? Bad recruiting or he’s a lucky find for us?
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He has the athleticism and showed he can play D against one of the best in the country. Showed that the moment was not to big for him and took advantage of couple of offensive opportunities he got. And remember the number that Gragg did on our recruiting last year. Coaching staff saw something in him and wanted to develop it, This is his second year and they wanted to RS him because of his potential but he burned it to help out when Berry went down, Got to figure he will probably be on scholarship after this year
 
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NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
EvanstonCat said:
Reggie had his story. He played on a team in Hs where at 6’5 he was the tallest guy and had to play center. Never was evaluated as anything but a short big. At the B1G level he played a more natural position for his height and was well sized as a guard.

What’s Blake Smith’s story?
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Good athlete. Dad was a walk-on at North Carolina. Seems like an excellent leader.

More importantly, he’s a little skinny, but he sure looked like he belonged again last night. Found a few offensive boards on a night NU wasn’t. Made his free throws. Contributed pretty consistent defense on a tough matchup. Started in a B1G road win.

Hearn fell into NU’s lap. It’s possible Smith has as well. Journalism major who hopes to work in sports media.


@lou v, @mshelton33, was he a preferred walk-on?



 
F

freewillie07

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2017
5,240
100
48
Blake has likely spent his short time at NU matching up against Boo Buie, Chase Audige, Ty Berry and Ryan Langborg in practice. That’s a recipe for quickly leveling up.

EvanstonCat said:
Who is Blake Smith? He’s a walk on? Where did he come from? Why wasn’t he recruited by anyone? How come he’s playing ahead of our scholarship guards? Bad recruiting or he’s a lucky find for us?
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Um, by my count he’s playing in front of exactly one scholarship guard — a freshman who is not ready for prime time and likely needs a year in strength and conditioning even more than Clayton.
 
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Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,194
2,680
67
EvanstonCat said:
Reggie had his story. He played on a team in Hs where at 6’5 he was the tallest guy and had to play center. Never was evaluated as anything but a short big. At the B1G level he played a more natural position for his height and was well sized as a guard.

What’s Blake Smith’s story?
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Blake was forced to play 1 on 5 in high school because he was home schooled. He usually lost, but learned how to play zone defense.
 
U

Username Not Available

Sophomore
Dec 24, 2010
3,099
102
63
I don't know if I've said this before, but I've been rooting for Blake since I ran into his parents last year in Sacramento and chatted with them a bit. They were delightful, so excited for him, and their happy enthusiasm won me over.
 
SmellyCat

SmellyCat

Junior
May 29, 2001
7,290
340
83
I am not a body language expert by any means, but whenever I look at Blake Smith between plays, he just seems unfazed. Like it's no big deal he's in the game. Some young players seem a little geeked up (I love Hunger's enthusiasm, for example), but Smith just composes himself like a real veteran. Sure, he's thin, and he may never be a star in this league, but he seems like he belongs. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.
 
L

lou v

All-Conference
Staff member
Aug 27, 2004
17,558
2,038
98
Here are my thoughts on the matter:



I believe NU has 12 scholarship players on the roster right now, so one is open. I think it should have Smith's name on it.
 
AdamOnFirst

AdamOnFirst

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
9,723
1,369
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lou v said:
Here are my thoughts on the matter:



I believe NU has 12 scholarship players on the roster right now, so one is open. I think it should have Smith's name on it.
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Could Collins award a scholarship for just this year? Even if everybody who can returns we’ll need a guard transfer next year, we need a little space.
 
P

PURPLECAT88

Senior
Feb 4, 2003
7,686
751
113
lou v said:
Here are my thoughts on the matter:



I believe NU has 12 scholarship players on the roster right now, so one is open. I think it should have Smith's name on it.
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I don't remember ever hearing about a scholarship being awarded retroactively, so I don't think this year's roster count is an issue. For next year we have three guys definitely leaving and only two coming in. That leaves two spots open. I was thinking a veteran point guard and an inside banger, but maybe Smith gets one of those scholarships.
 
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NUThump

Redshirt
May 29, 2001
1,321
21
38
AdamOnFirst said:
Could Collins award a scholarship for just this year? Even if everybody who can returns we’ll need a guard transfer next year, we need a little space.
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In the Big Ten, signing in HS is a 4 year scholarship. If it isn't directly from HS then it is year to year. At least this is how it works for B10 rowing.
 
cedricmelons

cedricmelons

Redshirt
Dec 13, 2001
379
13
18
AdamOnFirst said:
Could Collins award a scholarship for just this year? Even if everybody who can returns we’ll need a guard transfer next year, we need a little space.
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Worst case, couldn't they put him on scholarship for the spring and summer quarters?
 
X

xxxbobxxx

Sophomore
Mar 12, 2005
10,806
163
43
AdamOnFirst said:
Could Collins award a scholarship for just this year? Even if everybody who can returns we’ll need a guard transfer next year, we need a little space.
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I think 12 are in use now. Three guys leave (Preston?) and two are signed. That leaves two open.
 
BosCat

BosCat

Sophomore
Nov 29, 2008
1,273
173
63
"Crucial and-1 in crunch time"
(Note the nice lead blocking by Nick - taking out 2 guys)

 
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hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,314
1,110
113
AdamOnFirst said:
Could Collins award a scholarship for just this year? Even if everybody who can returns we’ll need a guard transfer next year, we need a little space.
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This year is done so I doubt it. Scholarship would be for next year and beyond
 
P

Pasadena Bound

Sophomore
Nov 13, 2002
1,259
129
53
Will be cheering very loudly for Blake when he enters (starts?) the game on Saturday. Really happy for him. Go ‘Cats!
 
C

CappyNU

Junior
Mar 2, 2004
5,168
348
83
Turns out Blake Smith went to my high school. For years we turned out D1 basketball players under our legend of a coach, I think my junior or senior year the entire starting 5 played D1. Think he retired before he would've coached Blake though.
 
R

ricko6543211

Junior
Nov 15, 2006
4,223
207
47
lou v said:
Here are my thoughts on the matter:



I believe NU has 12 scholarship players on the roster right now, so one is open. I think it should have Smith's name on it.
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Lou V I said the same thing to my friends on group texts last night. He’s earned it, even if just from that game alone. I say find him a scholly. We are gonna need him down the stretch.
 
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No Chores

Senior
Jul 2, 2006
6,712
498
83
CappyNU said:
Turns out Blake Smith went to my high school. For years we turned out D1 basketball players under our legend of a coach, I think my junior or senior year the entire starting 5 played D1. Think he retired before he would've coached Blake though.
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It's a great school and I know a couple of kids from my area in Western Pa. who went there, but I believe Blake was home schooled. Looking forward to Blake becoming a major contributor down the stretch.
 
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Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,194
2,680
67
No Chores said:
It's a great school and I know a couple of kids from my area in Western Pa. who went there, but I believe Blake was home schooled. Looking forward to Blake becoming a major contributor down the stretch.
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I was kidding about the homeschool part. I had to set up my joke.
 
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NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
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CappyNU

Junior
Mar 2, 2004
5,168
348
83
No Chores said:
It's a great school and I know a couple of kids from my area in Western Pa. who went there, but I believe Blake was home schooled. Looking forward to Blake becoming a major contributor down the stretch.
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I wouldn't be surprised if he was home schooled up until high school, but I don't think he would've been eligible to play for the team if he wasn't attending school there. We always recruited athletes to enter high school.
 
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mekCat

Redshirt
Dec 31, 2005
2,924
2
38
In PA home schooled or charter school students may play for the school in the district where they live. Unless the charter school has that sport.
 
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No Chores

Senior
Jul 2, 2006
6,712
498
83
mekCat said:
In PA home schooled or charter school students may play for the school in the district where they live. Unless the charter school has that sport.
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Which is why Hudaifa Ismaeli played for Pittsburgh Fifth Avenue H.S. even though he was home schooled. The same may be true for Blake Smith at Germantown Academy because I know he was home schooled. He was raised in Blue Bell Pa. Cappy might know.
 
C

CappyNU

Junior
Mar 2, 2004
5,168
348
83
No Chores said:
Which is why Hudaifa Ismaeli played for Pittsburgh Fifth Avenue H.S. even though he was home schooled. The same may be true for Blake Smith at Germantown Academy because I know he was home schooled. He was raised in Blue Bell Pa. Cappy might know.
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GA is a private school, so I doubt that would've applied to him.
 
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