Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from transfers, addition of Mike Smith

What can Smith bring?

The last time Michigan landed a point guard in the transfer portal, it was Jaaron Simmons, a First-Team All-Mac selection and he didn’t even start, so fans shouldn’t get carried away with Smith.

Yes, he averaged over 20 points a game, but he took a ton of shots last season and he won’t have that same volume at Michigan and it’s crazy to assume he will be out Eli Brooks for the starting job at point guard.

Obviously, a lot of that depends on Christopher. If the five-star shooting guard joins the team, Brooks as the starting point guard makes more sense, because Christopher is a ball-dominant guard.

But, if say, Christopher chooses Arizona State, well, then a backcourt-duo of Smith at the point and Brooks at the two is certainly possible, although, like last season, that would leave Michigan lacking in size. However, with Todd, Franz Wagner and Cole Bajema, it shouldn’t be a big issue.

Smith was ranked as a top-15 transfer by ESPN, Stadium and 247sports and here’s Dylan Burkhardt of UMHoops ($) also addressing Smith’s game:

"Smith’s shooting numbers don’t jump off the page — 47% on twos and 34% on threes last season — but they are more impressive upon closer examination. He was solid shooting off the dribble given his volume, making 37% of his attempts, good for the 67th percentile nationally. He attempts any and every sort of off the dribble jumper in the book — stepbacks, pull-ups, one leg, side-steps, the whole gamut."

Either as the starter, or off the bench, Smith will add a dynamic scoring presence at point guard, which was needed after the departure of DeJulius.