Doug Smith as an incoming recruit

Posted on: August 30, 2023 at 11:02:42 CT

Some discussion below about MU's reliance on Detroit talent under Norm, one thing I've never been able to isolate is just how big of a recruit was Doug Smith? Most of us that remember him recall him as one of the best players in program history but was he really that significant of a recruiting win for MU?

The recruiting landscape was much different in 1987, although for example I definitely remember what a big deal it was when we signed Chievous. Doug had been named Detroit News 1st team All Metro as a senior after earning 3rd team honors as a junior. He was also recognized as a 4th team Parade All American as a senior in high school. He avged 18.5 ppg, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals for Mackenzie High that year.

But for comparison sake his incoming MU classmate Jon McIntyre also from Detroit avged 29.8 ppg and 10 rebounds and 4 assists as a senior after avging 31 points and 11 rebounds and 9 assists as a junior, both seasons earning him All American status by USA Today and consensus 1st team all state. Even fellow teammate also from Michigan Brad Sutton who had a marginal college career avged 27 points and 18 rebounds his senior year of high school with all state recognition.

Nathan Buntin was relatively speaking a high profile recruiting win, but part of that was because of the fame and success of his father. Although they went on to have great success at the college level I don't recall and have never seen evidence that MU landing Lynn Hardy, Lee Coward, or Doug Smith as recruits was really that big of a deal. Does anyone remember that differently?

As referenced below, none of them appear on any of these lists for Michigan Mr. Basketball recognition:
http://www.peschstats.com/mrbasketball.htm

Edited by FIJItiger at 11:05:51 on 08/30/23