http://www.toledoblade.com/DaveHackenber...-lost.html

Matt Smith is an enigma. Athletic and long, he seems to fade into the woodwork far too often. He is rarely among the rebound leaders and doesn't seem to like mixing it up inside where we really need him. He's developed into a good shooter but seems reluctant to shoot at times. As I watch Holliday play against a guy 5 inches taller and give it every ounce of energy and toughness he has I get frustrated that Smith doesn't seem to have the same blue collar attitude. I thought he would have a break out year now that we had a true post player but he seems like the same player.

My opinion, FWIW, is that a few bad decisions were made as regards launching shots and when you're playing a game like that (top team for 1st place), that's all it takes. A little more patience, a little more effort, a little better judgement and the outcome would have been reversed.

UT is 0-4 against the Big 3 of the MAC this season (Akron, OU & WMU), and 8-1 against everyone else (the lone lose was against Buffalo). We're geting closer but still not over the hump yet in competing and winning against the MAC's best teams. With 6 of our top 7 players returning combined with an influx of 7 potential "talented" new players, the 2013-14 campaign should be the season we begin to compete for both MAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships.

Broncos out rebounded the Rockets by 11 and took 27 free throws making 20 while UT went 10 for 16 at the charity stripe. Those, IMO, are the two major factors the Rockets came up short.

I have always had high expectations for Matt Smith he reminds me of Ricardo Thomas the way he seems to disappear at times. Hopefully Garber, Williams and Weatherspoon will help improve the rebounding. To rise to the top of the MAC the biggest improvement has to come on the defensive end.

(02-28-2013 07:00 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  I have always had high expectations for Matt Smith he reminds me of Ricardo Thomas the way he seems to disappear at times. Hopefully Garber, Williams and Weatherspoon will help improve the rebounding. To rise to the top of the MAC the biggest improvement has to come on the defensive end.

+1 Ricardo disappeared so much I forgot about him. I think Smith is the better of those two.