The Wisconsin Badgers Men’s Basketball Team improved to 51-4 all-time in exhibition play with a 84-59 defeat of UW-La Crosse at the Kohl Center on Saturday.
If you look past the spectacular dunks and double-double from Jon Leuer (15 points and 10 rebounds), it was evident that back-up point guard Wquinton (pronounced QUIN-ton) Smith should be a key reserve for Bo Ryan’s squad in 2010-11.
It’s been a long road for the 5-10 senior from Milwaukee, WI as he joined the team in 2007 as a walk-on after winning the spot in an open tryout. While Smith has appeared in only 18 games in his career, his 14 minutes in the first exhibition might indicate an increased role for the little guy.
By: Nick Grays
Even though his numbers (1 point and 1 assist) were nothing to brag about, Smith’s ability to handle the ball and run the offense were impressive against UW-La Crosse. As most followers of Badger basketball know, Bo Ryan could care less about production. Ryan will put players on the floor who work hard and help the team. After only one game, Smith looks like he could be one of those players.
“He’s just low to the ground, obviously. But I thought he did a good job of taking care of the ball; he broke the defense down a few times. And maybe it didn’t lead directly to an assist that he got credit for, but because of the way he broke the defense down, he got it to somebody who got it to someone for an open shot. Wquinton was tough, I like what he gave us,” said Ryan.
If Smith can obtain an increased role this season, he can start to be recognized as more than merely the team’s strongest player. This past summer, Smith set the Wisconsin basketball records for the guard position in both the bench press (310 pounds) and squat (475 pounds).
No one is asking Smith to be a prolific scorer because starting point guard Jordan Taylor has the ability to step into that role. What Smith can do is establish a confidence to play solid defense and hold onto the ball when Taylor or another guard needs rest. After three years of primarily sitting on the bench, Smith feels it’s his time.
“I got a lot more confidence over the years, backing up Jordan Taylor and Mike Bruesewitz. In the back court, a lot of people say we are inexperienced, but we are really coming on strong. Josh Gasser, Ben Brust, Jordan, and I, we make sure we push each other every day, and that’s the main thing we have to do. We see other guards, and if we’re not ready, not pushing each other in practices, we won’t be ready for the other guards,” said Smith following Saturday’s exhibition.
The Badgers next action will take place on Wednesday in their second exhibition game. This time, Minnesota State-Mankato travels to the Kohl Center followed by the regular season-opener on Sunday versus Prairie View A&M.
Will Wquinton Smith be a solid contributor in 2010-11? Let me know what you think by commenting below!
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