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Chairman of the Boards

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 Periodically during the off season Friarbasketball.com will do a feature on Friar greats from the past. Next up is Michael Smith, one of the greatest rebounders in the history of Providence College and the Big East Conference. 

Michael Smith came to Providence College in the fall of 1991 after an All American high school career at Dunbar High in Washington D. C. He was part of one of the greatest recruiting classes ever at PC that also included Dickey Simpkins and Rob Phelps.

Unfortunately Friar fans would have to wait a year to see Smith in action. Both he had Phelps were “Prop 48” casualties that year which meant that under NCAA rules they could attend classes but could not play in games or practice with the team.

When he was finally eligible the following season Smith immediately showed why he was so highly regarded coming out of high school, averaging 11.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. In Big East play he pulled down 11.2 rebounds per game which led the conference. It was not a good year overall for the Friars, however, as they finished with a 14-17 record and lost in the first round of the Big East Tournament to Boston College. Although PC had a good frontcourt, anchored by Smith and Simpkins, they suffered from a lack of a true point guard.

Things improved the next year for PC and Michael Smith. The Friars finished with a 20-13 record losing in the semifinals of the NIT to Minnesota. Smith continued to fill the stat sheet averaging 11.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. For the second straight year Smith led the Big East in rebounding.

The Friars pulled it all together during Smith’s senior season. PC added junior college transfer Eric Williams, a prolific scorer, to the frontcourt. Native Rhode Islander Abdul Abdulla was added to the backcourt giving the Friars someone who could finally distribute the ball.

After a slow start PC finished the regular season on a five game winning streak. Their momentum continued in the Big East Tournament as they won three more games, defeating Georgetown in the championship game 74-64. Smith was named the tournament MVP.

Riding an eight game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament most people felt that the Friars were in a position to make a deep run in the tournament. Unfortunately, they were upset by Alabama in the first round, 76-70.

Smith had another fantastic year for the Friars averaging 12.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. It was the third straight year that he led the Big East in rebounding.

Smith finished his career as only the fourth player at Providence to have 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds — and he did it the old fashioned way, doing it in three years instead of four.

Why was Smith so good at rebounding? He was only 6’7 but he had a combination of desire and positioning that was unmatched in college basketball. In one word, it was motivation. He just wanted the rebound more than anyone else did. He still holds the Big East record for rebounding percentage at 11.7 per game.

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Friarbasketball.com’s Craig Leighton recently had the chance to catch up with Smith and get his reflections on his four years at PC. He also gave his thoughts on Ed Cooley and the current PC program:

Leighton: Do you have fond memories of your four years at Providence College?

Smith: Yes, I was very glad that I decided to go to PC. I enjoyed my four years there very much. I am still in touch with a couple of my professors and some fellow students.

Leighton: When you enrolled at PC you were part of one of the best recruiting classes in PC history along with Dickey Simpkins and Rob Phelps. How did you guys get along and are you still in contact with each other?

Smith: During my four years at PC  they were like my family. We went through a lot in the four years we were at Providence together. We got along great and I am still in contact with them to this day, 21 years later.

Leighton: Was it tough not being able to play your freshman year?

Smith: Yes it was. Basketball and academics always went hand in hand with me. Not having one made it difficult to do the other. Not being able to practice with the team, not traveling with the team, and not being around the team was really tough.

Leighton: Being from Washington, was playing against Georgetown extra special for you?

Smith: It was. There were a lot of Georgetown fans among my friends and family. My father wanted me to go to Georgetown. My mother didn’t care; she just wanted me to get my degree. I am glad I decided to go to PC.

Leighton: What was the highlight of your career at PC?

Smith: It would have to be winning the Big East Championship against Georgetown. That was a great experience. Of course it was followed by disappointment shortly thereafter when we lost to Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. I really thought we had the team to make a run that year.

Leighton: Austin Croshere was a freshman on that Big East Championship team. At that time did you think that the skinny kid from California would one day make it in the NBA?

Smith: I really did. I thought he was going to make it as more of a low post player but he actually made it as more of a perimeter player. Dickey and I took it upon ourselves to try and toughen him up at practice.

Leighton: Who were some of the best players you faced in college?

Smith: Alonzo Morning. John Wallace and Conrad McCrae from Syracuse, Jerry Walker from Seton Hall, guys like that. There were a lot of good players in the Big East back then.

Leighton: After your senior year were you disappointed that you were not selected in the first round of the NBA draft?

Smith: Not really. I still got my opportunity (selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 35th overall pick in the second round). I knew that either way I would have to put work in and get after it every day in order to make it. And that is exactly what I did. After a nine year pro career I would say I definitely did make it.

Leighton: What do you think made you such a great rebounder?

Smith: Motivation. I put my mind to it. I just had to go out and do what I had to do. You might need that one rebound to win the game. I made my career around defense and rebounding.

Leighton: What are your thought on Ed Cooley and the current PC coaching staff?

Smith: I think he is doing a great job. His recruiting has been really good. I was up there for a practice. He has the young guys working hard every day. He is tough, but fair.

Leighton: Did you have a good time at the recent reunion of the Big East Championship team?

Smith: Yes, I did. We always have a great time when we get together. It was great seeing so many fans and friends again

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If you have never seen Michael Smith play here is a special treat, a full replay of the 1994 Big East Championship game between Providence College and Georgetown:.

Email Craig: Criaig.Leighton@friarbasketball.com

Follow Craig on twitter:@CraigL78

 

3 Comments

  1. John L. Sullivan III

    June 16, 2015 at 12:36 am

    Animal!

  2. Steven Myers

    June 16, 2015 at 11:40 am

    Such a presence on and off the Court. StephensHallAlum!

  3. Eric Miller

    June 16, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    Michael smith was a beast!!! I Remember his dunks used to rock the base of the hoop when throwing it down….any and every rebound was his all the time!

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