'12 TNFR NH SF Evan Smotrycz (Transferred to Maryland)

[Quattro]

Rivals (http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Evan-Smotrycz-73383)
Scout (http://washingtonstate.scout.com/a.z?s=137&p=8&c=1&nid=4069995)
ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/55672/evan-smotrycz)
http://cmsimg.detnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C3&Date=20120321&Category=SPORTS0201&ArtNo=203210443&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Loss-Evan-Smotrycz-possibly-major-setback-Michigan
New Hampton Prep (New Hampton, New Hampshire), University of Michigan

Ht: 6'9"
Wt: 235

Rivals: 4*; #12 SF (#59 Overall)
Scout: 4*; #21 PF
ESPN: 4* - 94 Rating; #20 PF (#84 Overall)

Offers: Michigan, Northwestern, Oregon State


Jimmy Wood ‏ @jimmyMHS (https://twitter.com/#!/jimmyMHS)

Close (https://twitter.com/#!/jimmyMHS/status/184117912414593024)


Colorado is currently going after Evan Smotrycz. Smotrycz will have 2yrs of eligibilty. Sweet shooting 6'9 F from Michigan.

[Darth Snow]

kinda weird what with the sitting out a year... we need veteran help immediately...

[aik]

I see Northwestern offer. Which by all logic means he doesn't clear admissions here. :doh:

[LoneTreeBuff]

I'm always curious why a player would be transferring. Anybody know in this case?

[Quattro]

I'm always curious why a player would be transferring. Anybody know in this case?
Looks like he wasn't happy. (http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-basketball/mother-says-ex-michigan-basketball-player-evan-smotrycz-wasnt-happy-but-holds-no-ill-will-toward-um/?cmpid=mlive-@mlive-sports)

[mattrob]

It sounds like he never got as much PT as he wanted and the staff was pretty hard on him over his d and rebounding. That said, it sounds like he was also forced to play out of position as a 5. Tom McCormick at ESPN didn't like the loss for Michigan though, and said he was their second best returning player and had the look of a potential all big 10 player next year. This may be a case of a player who's just too good to pass up.

[sackman]

OK, this is all of a sudden getting really weird. Take this kid and we have zero scholarships, and that assumes Sharpe leaves the program. ZERO scholarships. That means we don't sign ANYBODY. Am I missing something here?

[mattrob]

OK, this is all of a sudden getting really weird. Take this kid and we have zero scholarships, and that assumes Sharpe leaves the program. ZERO scholarships. That means we don't sign ANYBODY. Am I missing something here?

Nope, not at all. Unless they're counting on Mills transferring and Roberson leaving early, which opens up 2. I'd still like a little more certainty for that 2013 class though.

[Quattro]

Nope, not at all. Unless they're counting on Mills transferring and Roberson leaving early, which opens up 2. I'd still like a little more certainty for that 2013 class though.
Don't hold your breath.

[Darth Snow]

Don't hold your breath.
must... have... attention... I...know... secrets...

[mattrob]

Good reminder to check in on barzil. I know 'tini wouldn't keep that one quiet!

[PuebloBuff]

Started 18 games and averaged 21 min per/game. 7.7 pts, 4.9 reb. and .435 from behind the arc.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/stats/season_stats.pdf

[tante]

he kinda looks like what we wanted Dufault to be.

[Goose]

This may be a case of a player who's just too good to pass up.

Bingo. This also gives us a hell of a safety net in case Dre goes pro after next season.

[SECOBuffsFan]

Talent > Class Balance

[CVilleBuff]

This would be a huge get. Want.

[buffted]

At this point I'm starting to wonder if Boyle knows about a large amount of attrition coming our way. Obviously at this point, we have to be losing potentially Mills or Sharpe, because we're over on scholarships. Plus, I heard a while back that Andre made a comment about wanting to get into the NBA as soon as he can.. I still doubt he leaves this year, but he may be pretty convinced about leaving next year. There was also all of the talk about one of our recruits not qualifying. I dont know if all that has already passed over and they all qualified, but if maybe Xavier Talton isn't qualifying, that would explain why Boyle spent another scholarship on a risky point guard. Even if we aren't losing Roberson and all of our recruits do qualify, I'm just gonna say we might as well take him. He could help us out a ton in 2013 if potentially Scott or Gordon can't develop by their sophomore years, and at this point, we have no shot at bringing in all of the players I was hoping we would bring in for the '13 class. We might as well bring in a veteran who will be out by 2014 and hopefully we stock up then with strong players

[Goose]

If Smotrycz wants to come here, we take him. Future scholarships be damned.

As for attrition, I think it's looking more and more likely that Dre is gone after next season. Honestly, I think he could use four full years of college, but looking over his numbers for the year in review, it was shocking at how elite he is at rebounding & defense. And honestly, his offensive numbers aren't bad. If he can improve his skillset even the tiniest bit this next year, he could be a potential lottery pick.

[Darth Snow]

Dreeee don't go.

[CVilleBuff]

Still think Dre needs a full 4 years. More power to him if he can get where he needs to be on offense by this time next year, but I have my doubts. For him to be successful in the NBA, it's going to take improvement on the perimeter on offense to a degree that's pretty hard to imagine him covering in one year.

[RK]

Gotta think Beau Gamble helped get us in on this one as they went to New Hampton prep together along with (gulp) Brady Heslip.

[Buffnik]

Gotta love a guy who scored over 7.5 ppg in the B1G. That's like half the team's scoring in a typical conference game.

[Quattro]

Gotta love a guy who scored over 7.5 ppg in the B1G. That's like half the team's scoring in a typical conference game.

:lol:

[mattrob]

If Smotrycz wants to come here, we take him. Future scholarships be damned.

As for attrition, I think it's looking more and more likely that Dre is gone after next season. Honestly, I think he could use four full years of college, but looking over his numbers for the year in review, it was shocking at how elite he is at rebounding & defense. And honestly, his offensive numbers aren't bad. If he can improve his skillset even the tiniest bit this next year, he could be a potential lottery pick.

With Smotrycz, I definitely agree. We need a big for the '13 class anyway, and this would give us a kid who's ready from day 1 with the potential to score 12-15 ppg with 6-8 boards. It's gonna be next to impossible to find that kind of production from a HS kid.

[BuffLuKe]

Seen him play several times. If he wants to come, we take him. He could help CU quite a bit.

[rolandftw]

Sounds like he'd be a great pickup for us. Hopefully Boyle has at least one scholarship open for 2013 tho, in case someone like Isaac Hamilton decides he wants to play in Colorado.

[Jimmy_Wood]

"Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz lists Maryland, Colorado, Baylor, Providence and Xavier and plans on taking visits soon." I have been saying from get go, there will be movement.

[Goose]

That'd be HUGE. Thanks Jimmy.

[Buffnik]

That'd be HUGE. Thanks Jimmy.

Absolutely. All signs point to Dre leaving for the NBA after next season. Plugging Evan into his spot would keep our dreams alive for a deep tourney run in 2013-14.

[Darth Snow]

Absolutely. All signs point to Dre leaving for the NBA after next season. Plugging Evan into his spot would keep our dreams alive for a deep tourney run in 2013-14.
I hate it when you say my worst fears... and I have nothing on which to base a counter argument.

[tante]

I hate it when you say my worst fears... and I have nothing on which to base a counter argument.

*cough*Hitler*cough*

[Buffnik]

A good point someone made on the Rivals board is that Evan's game is much more similar to Dufault than Roberson. He's a big that can shoot. He won't be replacing Dre's shot blocking or rebounding.

[RumblinBuff]

A good point someone made on the Rivals board is that Evan's game is much more similar to Dufault than Roberson. He's a big that can shoot. He won't be replacing Dre's shot blocking or rebounding.

If I could get two more years of Dufault, I'd jump at it, 'Dre or no 'Dre. With the post prospects of our current forward corps, "Austin 2.0" would get to play the correct position.

[tante]

A good point someone made on the Rivals board is that Evan's game is much more similar to Dufault than Roberson. He's a big that can shoot. He won't be replacing Dre's shot blocking or rebounding.


some idot here said the same thing:

http://www.allbuffs.com/showthread.php/74264-12-TNFR-NH-SF-Evan-Smotrycz?p=1101256&viewfull=1#post1101256

[Buffnik]

some idot here said the same thing:

http://www.allbuffs.com/showthread.php/74264-12-TNFR-NH-SF-Evan-Smotrycz?p=1101256&viewfull=1#post1101256

I was hoping to give the observation some credibility. :wink2:

[tante]

I feel so dirty, I think I'm a rep whore now.

[RalphMalph]

now?

[Goose]

Jimmy Wood (https://twitter.com/#!/jimmyMHS/status/187547247280537600):


Per http://Scout.com (http://t.co/mkm8KZGy) Evan Smotrycz will visit Providence this weekend, w/ stops to Maryland & #cubuffs (http://www.allbuffs.com/#!/search/%23cubuffs) after. Appears CU in top 3.

[RumblinBuff]

By the time he visits, the scholarship issues should produce a final answer one way or the other.

Does the transfer visit system the same as it is for high-school recruits? Is this an official visit that we're paying for, or is this on Evan's dime?

[Darth Snow]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanCBS (http://twitter.com/GoodmanCBS) Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz told CBSSports he has added Kansas State to list. Also includes MD, Xavier, Prov, Colorado, Baylor, Clemson.


Smotrycz will host Mark Turgeon Friday, Chris Mack Saturday and will meet with Ed Cooley on Sunday. Will take visit to Maryland on the 13th.
http://twitter.com/GoodmanCBS

big time competition.

[BeBe]

http://twitter.com/GoodmanCBS

big time competition.
SSoooooooooooooo this means we are being viewed by him as a big time program, right???

[Darth Snow]

SSoooooooooooooo this means we are being vewed by him as a big time program, right???
That is how I took it :nod:

[Buffnik]

I needed some good news right about now... and this definitely qualifies:

Jeff Goodman ‏ @GoodmanCBS

Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz @_ev23 told CBSSports his final three are Maryland, Providence and Colorado. Will take officials to all 3.

[Goose]

Holy ****. Not going to lie, I had written him off already.

In Tad I Trust.

[MtnBuff]

Who would have ever thought it, CU is a basketball school.

[BIGEZ321]

I wonder how the addition of the sixth recruit, Eli Stazner plays into this. Is Eli and Talton coming in on a scholarship for sure, or is Smotrycz going to pay his way for a year? Roster currently looks full. I couldn't imagine Smotrycz coming in without a scholly, but hey, if CU really is a basketball school now, maybe he'd make that sacrifice for a year. It doesn't sound like we'd get him based on available scholarships, but maybe Tad is a better salesman than I think.

Do you hear what I hear, some transferring???....

[CVilleBuff]

Great that we're still in the running. Said it before, but landing Smotrycz would be absolutely huge. A 6'9 235 sharpshooter is just invaluable. While he was averaging about 8 points and 5 rebounds per game for the season, he also only averaged 20 minutes per game. He was getting 25-30+ minutes per game from the start of the season until mid-January, and then Beilein tweaked the rotation and he started typically getting around 15 minutes per game. Smotrycz would be an excellent number 3 scorer for us. During December Smotrycz had a 5 game stretch of: 20pts 9reb, 16pts 8reb, 17pts 11reb, 20pts 10reb, 10pts 10reb. Yes please. While he generally fits the "Dufault" mode of forward, he's way more of a natural shooter, and while rebounding isn't by any means his main thing, the 7 or 8 rebounds per game he would give us would be a nice boost.

Certainly some tough competition, but we have a good chance. The main allure of Providence is that it's close to home (Smotrycz is from Massachusetts), but to be frank: they also suck. Maryland has the draw of playing in the ACC, but Turgeon's guards will also be chucking it up 95% of the time. Hopefully he makes the right choice, he would be a perfect fit for Tad's offense. The opportunity is there for a couple extremely special seasons culminating in deep runs in the Dance.

Also, as a sidenote while we're on the subject of transfers: Arizona landed point guard TJ McConnell, a transfer from Duquesne (just finished his sophomore season). Before you scoff and write him off because he's from Duquesne, this is actually a very solid pickup for the Wildcats. McConnell will undoubtedly get plenty of minutes for them after sitting out the upcoming season. This is a guy who does everything well. He averaged 11.5pts, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. That's pretty damn good for guy who's listed at 6'1. He even managed a triple double this season. You might be able to consider this a "glue" guy in that he's going to be good at managing the Arizona offense with all the 4* and 5* talent that Miller is bringing in, but I'm not sure that's the best description as he's a legitimate scoring threat in his own right.

[Goose]

Also, as a sidenote while we're on the subject of transfers: Arizona landed point guard TJ McConnell, a transfer from Duquesne (just finished his sophomore season). Before you scoff and write him off because he's from Duquesne, this is actually a very solid pickup for the Wildcats. McConnell will undoubtedly get plenty of minutes for them after sitting out the upcoming season. This is a guy who does everything well. He averaged 11.5pts, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. That's pretty damn good for guy who's listed at 6'1. He even managed a triple double this season. You might be able to consider this a "glue" guy in that he's going to be good at managing the Arizona offense with all the 4* and 5* talent that Miller is bringing in, but I'm not sure that's the best description as he's a legitimate scoring threat in his own right.

****. I missed that news. Great move for them.

[MtnBuff]

****. I missed that news. Great move for them.

Goose, How many of the Zona guys are candidates for 1 and done to the NBA.

They have some really good recruits coming in, question is how long are they likely to be around.

[Goose]

Jarrett has a decent chance of being one & done and it wouldn't surprise me to see Tarczewski as well. That said, I think Tarczewski will torture CU & the PAC-12 for two years before going pro.

[mattrob]

Jarrett has a decent chance of being one & done and it wouldn't surprise me to see Tarczewski as well. That said, I think Tarczewski will torture CU & the PAC-12 for two years before going pro.

Huh, I'd think Ashley would be the first to go.Shows what I know!

[Goose]

Huh, I'd think Ashley would be the first to go.Shows what I know!

Forgot about Ashley. Yeah, he's a possibility too. God they have a great class.

Honestly, I think Jarrett could be their best player next year, so he's the most likely one IMO.

[mattrob]

Forgot about Ashley. Yeah, he's a possibility too. God they have a great class.

Honestly, I think Jarrett could be their best player next year, so he's the most likely one IMO.

Yeah, they're gonna be loaded inside.

[jgisland]

Looks like Evan is visiting Butler today. (http://instagr.am/p/JSN0RtvXIL/)

[Buffs@5345']

General question here - do transfers have to commit in the same window as the general signing for recruits, 4/11-5/16? Is there a typical pattern, most early or most late? Seems that anxiously awaiting basketball offseason moves is a new pass-time for me.

[Buffnik]

General question here - do transfers have to commit in the same window as the general signing for recruits, 4/11-5/16? Is there a typical pattern, most early or most late? Seems that anxiously awaiting basketball offseason moves is a new pass-time for me.

Nope. They don't sign Letters of Intent. Transfers need to enroll and sign a scholarship agreement. That can be done any time.

[Buffs@5345']

Nope. They don't sign Letters of Intent. Transfers need to enroll and sign a scholarship agreement. That can be done any time.

Thanks for the clarification.

[jgisland]

Looks like Evan is taking his official to Maryland this weekend.

Evan Smotrycz™ ‏ @_ev23 (https://twitter.com/#%21/_ev23) On my way to Maryland ✈ http://instagr.am/p/JZzJRuvXHY/ (http://t.co/ZtfjLeGM)

[Buffnik]

Looks like Evan is taking his official to Maryland this weekend.

Evan Smotrycz™ ‏ @_ev23 (https://twitter.com/#!/_ev23) On my way to Maryland ✈ http://instagr.am/p/JZzJRuvXHY/ (http://t.co/ZtfjLeGM)

That's the one that makes me most nervous. Turgeon has won all the battles against us (on the court and in recruiting).

[mattrob]

That's the one that makes me most nervous. Turgeon has won all the battles against us (on the court and in recruiting).

I'd agree, Maryland would seem to make sense. East coast, ACC, decent basketball tradition, etc. But Tad's just on such a role right now, nothing would surprise me. Hopefully he gets out here next weekend, the weather should be just about perfect.

[rolandftw]

Good that we made his final cut. I see it as a win/win for CU. Sounds like he'd be a good kid to add, but if he goes elsewhere we would have another scholarship to offer for the 2013 class (assuming Sharpe, Mills transfer like many expect and/or Roberson declares for the 2013 NBA Draft.

It'd be kinda cool to get a transfer that could play right away (someone that just graduated), as I think another key player in the rotation would help CU a lot

[Goose]

I'm starting to hate Turgeon.

[RumblinBuff]

I'm starting to hate Turgeon.

Not like we have a spot for him anyways. Just means we can focus on getting a solid player in 2013.

[Goose]

Not like we have a spot for him anyways.

Goodman at CBS still has Mills & Sharpe on the transfer list. Until I hear something from the school officially, I'm refusing to get excited, but I think it's a possibility.

[jgisland]

Too bad they didn't even get a chance to get him in Boulder before he committed.

[Buffnik]

The way basketball is going right now, I'm finding myself unable to worry much about not getting a guy like Evan. If he'd picked the Buffs, I would have celebrated. He's a good player who would have been a valuable player for 2 years. But I fully expect Tad to get someone else instead for the 2013 class who will be a valuable contributor for 4 years (less than that if he's good enough to jump early for the NBA).

[Darth Snow]

still a loss, imo. Best way to characterize it is as a non-crippling loss. Smots would have been very very good for us.

[Goose]

still a loss, imo. Best way to characterize it is as a non-crippling loss. Smots would have been very very good for us.

This is where I am. Plus, he would have provided some necessary frontcourt depth for us once Dre leaves next year.

[MtnBuff]

The way basketball is going right now, I'm finding myself unable to worry much about not getting a guy like Evan. If he'd picked the Buffs, I would have celebrated. He's a good player who would have been a valuable player for 2 years. But I fully expect Tad to get someone else instead for the 2013 class who will be a valuable contributor for 4 years (less than that if he's good enough to jump early for the NBA).

Completely agree with all of this.

A couple of years ago this would have been looked at as a make or break decision for the program, now it is a decision that just needs to be overcome with another player taking the spot. He would have provided immediate help but as Nick points out that help would have been short term.

Show's how far Tad has come in building the program that this kid was considering us and that we don't go into a panic when he decides against us.

[SECOBuffsFan]

Talent is talent, but at least he is taking his far away from the Pac 12....would have been a good get

[rynobuff]

So we have 1 open schollie for '13 now? Depending on transfers (mills/sharpe)?

[tante]

So we have 1 open schollie for '13 now? Depending on transfers (mills/sharpe)?

and possibly Dre going pro. (I think). It is so much easier to get straight in football.

[RumblinBuff]

This is where I am. Plus, he would have provided some necessary frontcourt depth for us once Dre leaves next year.

Frontcourt depth, sure, but he's not a similar player to 'Dre. It would've been an imperfect replacement. Between SHT, Scott, Gordon, and XJ, frontcourt should be fine in 2 years. Coach Boyle likes the guard heavy, faster lineups anyways.

[Buffnik]

Frontcourt depth, sure, but he's not a similar player to 'Dre. It would've been an imperfect replacement. Between SHT, Scott, Gordon, and XJ, frontcourt should be fine in 2 years. Coach Boyle likes the guard heavy, faster lineups anyways.

It would have been a replacement for Austin... delayed by 2 seasons.

[RumblinBuff]

It would have been a replacement for Austin... delayed by 2 seasons. Agreed, but also an Austin allowed to play in the proper position. Considering he reportedly didn't like being played "out of position" I'm surprised he picked Maryland. Everything I've read has them playing him at the 4, where I thought he vastly preferred the 3.

[Buffnik]

Agreed, but also an Austin allowed to play in the proper position. Considering he reportedly didn't like being played "out of position" I'm surprised he picked Maryland. Everything I've read has them playing him at the 4, where I thought he vastly preferred the 3.

He would have played the 4 at CU. No significant difference between Turgeon's system and Boyle's. Johnson & Jenkins will be playing the 3.

[rolandftw]

Would have liked him to come to CU, but we could have used someone who could play next year as well (recent graduate).

Overall, I could see it as a positive as we'll have a chance to have a bigger 2013 class this way. Good get for maryland I guess but I don't think it will be a game changer for their team or anything like that.

[BuffLuKe]

Sucks we didnt get him but there is another transfer out east Id love to see at CU, Michael Gbinije from Duke. I think he'll stay out east though. Cville probably knows his game pretty well, he didnt play much in the Duke games I saw. He was only a freshman this year too.

[CVilleBuff]

Sucks we didnt get him but there is another transfer out east Id love to see at CU, Michael Gbinije from Duke. I think he'll stay out east though. Cville probably knows his game pretty well, he didnt play much in the Duke games I saw. He was only a freshman this year too.

I know of him because he's from Virginia, played at Benedictine H.S. in Richmond. He was a quality 4* recruit in the 2011 class. Quality 6'6 small forward but definitely pretty lanky. He'll be a good pickup for somebody.

Anyway, would have been nice to land Smotrycz but it's not a huge loss, either. The main issue here is I'm getting ****ing tired of Turgeon always beating out Boyle. That needs to stop. We need to play Maryland again sometime soon and beat those ****ers.

[J-R-K]

I fully expect Tad to get someone else instead for the 2013 class who will be a valuable contributor for 4 years (less than that if he's good enough to jump early for the NBA).

I hear you but keep in mind we took three less then stelar looking players this last cycle. And while Boyle has added some very good players he's yet to show the ability to win big-boy recruting battles. Scott and Gordon were both in-state players who at least when they committed had no other offers, for some reason most of the schools recruting Xaiver Johnson had stopped going after him prior to us landing him, we beat out Penn State for Roberson, UNLV and Oregon for Dinwiddie, Alabama for Adams, Oregon State and Boston College for Cain, and Booker, Stalzer, Mills, Talton, and Jenkins had no other notable offers. Also, every player who visited CU this last cycle and also visited another school (6 of them) ended up not chosing CU. I'd rather have the proven ability of a transfer then risk whether or not we can land a quality player and even if we do whether such a player would pan out.

[mattrob]

I hear you but keep in mind we took three less then stelar looking players this last cycle. And while Boyle has added some very good players he's yet to show the ability to win big-boy recruting battles. Scott and Gordon were both in-state players who at least when they committed had no other offers, for some reason most of the schools recruting Xaiver Johnson had stopped going after him prior to us landing him, we beat out Penn State for Roberson, UNLV and Oregon for Dinwiddie, Alabama for Adams, Oregon State and Boston College for Cain, and Booker, Stalzer, Mills, Talton, and Jenkins had no other notable offers. Also, every player who visited CU this last cycle and also visited another school (6 of them) ended up not chosing CU. I'd rather have the proven ability of a transfer then risk whether or not we can land a quality player and even if we do whether such a player would pan out.

While I can't disagree with most of this, keep in mind the eye for talent the staff showed, with the stock of Scott, Johnson, Jenkins and Gordon all rising after they committed. And we were recruiting against some big schools last year, despite not having an established resume of success. Add in the fact that, agree with the signing or not, Stalzer was brought in for a very specific role and to make inroads with a national powerhouse, and it's impossible to consider last year anything but a huge success. I think the faith in Tad's ability to identify and land talent is justified.