1 on 1 with Mississippi State senior Tolu Smith

Tolu Smith has built an impressive college career at Mississippi State after initially transferring from Western Kentucky following his freshman campaign. During the past five years Smith has experienced several ups and downs while also encountering a lot of success.

This year has proven to be much of the same for the Mississippi native. Once again, he had to work his way back after an injury, an injury that kept him sidelined for the first 12 games of the season. Having been back for 10 games now, Smith leads the team with 16.9 points and 7.6 rebounds a game.

Recently, Maroon and White Daily caught up with Smith to discuss his rehab, decision to return for another Bulldog campaign and other topics:

Q: Going back to your preseason injury, unfortunately you’ve had experience of going through rehab before. How much did that experience help you this season?
Smith: It helped a lot, knowing I had to do it for the second time. The biggest thing for me was to try not to hang my head for so long and just realize that my team still needs me. I am just happy to be back.

Q: Regarding last spring when you decided to return for another season, how was that process and who did you lean on for advice during that situation?
Smith: It was tough and it wasn’t an easy decision. The person I talked to the most was my father during that. The coaching staff helped me out and helped me realize that there’s things I can key in on this year and really focus on in another year.

Q: Since your return to the court, what areas have you tried to expand your game this season?
Smith: I think a little bit of everything, mostly free throws and being a better defensive player and not just a back-to-the-basket type of player. Obviously, having more intangibles and more weapons can help me be a better player and that’s what I worked on in the offseason.

Q: You’ve been back for a few games now. Do you feel you are closer to getting back in good game shape and in a rhythm?
Smith: Obviously, it can always be better. Only game shape can improve by being in games and playing multiple games. I am still a step behind every now and then but I feel like I am getting back in the flow of things.

Q: With the addition of Jimmy Bell this season, how are those battles in practice?
Smith: It’s great. He’s a big fellow, a big guy with really good footwork. That’s a guy that gives me a great look every time in practice and it makes it easier for the games. You are hardly going to see a bigger guy than Jimmy. I am playing with a more physical player in practice than I usually do in games.

Q: Of late, you are dishing out more assists when you get double-teamed and are finding the open man. Is that something you have worked on more this year?
Smith: It’s going to keep coming, the double teams, triple teams and all that. We work on that every day and just try to figure out other ways to manipulate the defense and figure out the way to put the ball in. That is the main objective and whatever it takes to get it in, that is what we’re going to do.

Q: You are on top of every team’s scouting report. How do you handle those expectations and responsibilities every time out knowing the focus from other teams is on you?
Smith: It’s good. Hard work pays off and I give God the glory. But I have to go into the game like it doesn’t matter what they know and the schemes they have to stop it. So I expect that mindset going into it but there’s a lot of key pieces on the floor that make my life easier.

Q: Last year this team played a lot of crucial games while trying to get into the NCAA Tournament. This season it could be the same way down the stretch. How could last year’s experience with that help this team?
Smith: It was tremendous for us. Having the core guys back really helps us and we have a really good feel for each other. I think the first year was great with the new coaching staff and we can have an even better year this year with some key pieces in here. I think we are meshing well and we need to keep doing what we are doing and get some wins on the road.