Michigan Basketball: Grad transfer Mike Smith makes a lot of sense

Michigan basketball continues to be a player in the graduate transfer market and the latest to say he is getting interest from U-M is Mike Smith.

With so many questions about the roster and numbers, not many people expected Michigan basketball to be active in the market of graduate transfers. But so far, the Wolverines have been about as active as anyone, expressing interest in three players in the last week or so.

It first came out on March 8 that Michigan basketball was one of the programs Seth Towns, a graduate transfer from Harvard was considering. He’s a forward who can play on the wing and also as a four.

Then Michigan basketball was one of the teams that contacted former Harvard point guard Bryce Aiken, a dynamic scoring guard that only played in a handful of games last season. Then, to hammer home the point about possibly adding a point guard, Michigan basketball has also expressed interest in Mike Smith of Columbia, a 5-foot-11 point guard that averaged 22 points a game last season. This comes via Jon Rothstein.

While the roster size could be an issue, some players are likely to leave either for the NBA or as transfer and if Michigan basketball could get Smith, it would be worth it. He has started 90 career games and played in 92 and he averages 18 points per game. He’s a career 33-percent shooter from 3-point range and he shoots 82 percent from the free throw line.

Smith also averaged 4.5 assists per game last year, but on the downside, he turned it over about three times per game. He also averages over a steal per game and while he wouldn’t need to play 37 minutes a game as he did a year ago, he would give Michigan another ball-handling guard that can score and shoot the ball.

Right now, heading into next season, the Wolverines are probably looking at either Eli Brooks, David DeJulius or freshman Zeb Jackson running the point. DeJulius is the best offensive player, while Brooks is a really solid defender and a tough guy to leave on the bench.

Either way, Michigan basketball needs more depth at point guard, even following the addition of Brandon Wade who played at Dayton and Smith would be a perfect fit. He’s also eligible right away.

Yes, the numbers don’t seem to work out in terms of adding a graduate transfer, but Juwan Howard knows what he’s doing and if Michigan can fit Smith, it should take him.