Russ Smith returning to Louisville

[ATWizJr]

per ESPN today.

[jficke13]

Saw that. Still uneasy about Blue's decision. It is good to get potential other picks out of the running though.

[Sunbelt15]

Isn't Russ Smith draft potential a lottery pick or first round?

[🏀]

Isn't Russ Smith draft potential a lottery pick or first round?

Too small and no handle.

I think Vander actually has a better shot of sticking than Russ Smith does.

[Lennys Tap]

No (answer to Sunbelt)

[BCHoopster]

To small, weighs 165 pounds, look at the men on the Heat compared to the small, Bucks guards, plus he is a 2 guard, sort of like Jerel McNeal.

[Rockmic87]

Isn't Russ Smith draft potential a lottery pick or first round?

To give you an ESPN insiders perspective: Russ Smith is rated the 57th best draft prospects and the 15th best SG. Thus he was predicted to be a 2nd round pick or going undrafted.

On the other hand, Vander Blue is the 79th best prospect. He is the 19th best prospect at the SG position. He too is predicted to go 2nd round or undrafted.


Russ is better than Vander. Vander made a really bad decision, and will pay for it playing overseas next year.

[Aughnanure]

Too small and no handle.

I think Vander actually has a better shot of sticking than Russ Smith does.

Russ Smith has no handle? I mean, his decisions can be bad, but Vander would kill for his handle (especially in the lane and in packed space).

[🏀]

Russ Smith has no handle? I mean, his decisions can be bad, but Vander would kill for his handle (especially in the lane and in packed space).

Meant it more to be a PG.

[ATWizJr]

To give you an ESPN insiders perspective: Russ Smith is rated the 57th best draft prospects and the 15th best SG. Thus he was predicted to be a 2nd round pick or going undrafted.

On the other hand, Vander Blue is the 79th best prospect. He is the 19th best prospect at the SG position. He too is predicted to go 2nd round or undrafted.


Russ is better than Vander. Vander made a really bad decision, and will pay for it playing overseas next year.

Van seemed to handle it pretty good against Rutgers and Davidson to win the games on drives.

[Warriors10]

 Van seemed to handle it pretty good against Rutgers and Davidson to win the games on drives.

St. Johns you mean?  And please tell me this is somewhat teal...

[JD]

Ask yourselves honestly, who would you rather have on your team.

College and Pro, i pick Russ both times.  Don't start this garbage that i'm not a real fan or something dumb, i just think Russ is better than Vander in maybe every category except rebounding.

[Rockmic87]

Ask yourselves honestly, who would you rather have on your team.

College and Pro, i pick Russ both times.  Don't start this garbage that i'm not a real fan or something dumb, i just think Russ is better than Vander in maybe every category except rebounding.

Thank you. Some people on this board will try to argue that Jake thomas is better than Russ Smith, lol.

[slack00]

To give you an ESPN insiders perspective: Russ Smith is rated the 57th best draft prospects and the 15th best SG. Thus he was predicted to be a 2nd round pick or going undrafted.

On the other hand, Vander Blue is the 79th best prospect. He is the 19th best prospect at the SG position. He too is predicted to go 2nd round or undrafted.


Russ is better than Vander. Vander made a really bad decision, and will pay get paid for it playing overseas next year.

Fixed.

[Rockmic87]

Fixed.

you forgot to add will pay get paid for it "in rupees" playing overseas next year.

[MU82]

Here's the AP story on Smith's decision. Interesting that he still feels he has a lot to accomplish in college, which is amazing given that he has won a national championship (averaging 25 ppg in the tourney in the first five games), has reached two Final Fours and has been the best player on a great team.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/cardinals-g-russ-smith-returning-175210501--ncaab.html

[avid1010]

Ask yourselves honestly, who would you rather have on your team.

College and Pro, i pick Russ both times.  Don't start this garbage that i'm not a real fan or something dumb, i just think Russ is better than Vander in maybe every category except rebounding.

college = smith
pro = neither, but vander has more potential.  if i were drafting and had to take one, i'd take vander just on hopes that he could develop because he has decent size and great athleticism. 

[77ncaachamps]

Vander has the size but Russ is faster (I think) and has a more consistent jumper.

In the end, athleticism is desired in the NBA but even marginal athleticism and a consistent jumper will get you there.

Barring injury or a really horrible year in a strong draft class, Russ will get drafted.

[brewcity77]

Ask yourselves honestly, who would you rather have on your team.

College and Pro, i pick Russ both times.  Don't start this garbage that i'm not a real fan or something dumb, i just think Russ is better than Vander in maybe every category except rebounding.

It doesn't have anything to do with being a real fan, it has to do with having the vaguest understanding of the NBA game. The only way a player with Russ Smith's physical stature plays in the NBA is if he has a tremendous handle and ability to distribute. But Russ doesn't. There is no way he can drive the lane in the NBA and that's his game. He's not a good three-point shooter. He doesn't have a single skill that is NBA quality and he doesn't have the physique that will allow him to develop those skills. At best, he's a NBDL player, though he'd be far better suited in Europe.

Whether you agree with Vander's decision or not, he is far better suited for the NBA. Vander has the physique to attack the lane and the height and length to defend at the next level. I said before that Vander is 20,000 times the NBA prospect Russ Smith is and I stand by that, only because Vander is at least an NBA prospect whereas Russ Smith is like the next coming of Scottie Reynolds. Great, great college player, but has no business whatsoever playing in the league.

[JD]

My computer is having issues quoting Brew, so i'll just state this in my reply to you.  If you think Russ is a bad 3 point shooter, what do you call Vander then?  Look at the way both players shoot, and tell me you think Vander has a better shot form than Russ.  I'll happily make a wager with you that Russ will be drafted ahead of Vander next year if you'd like, even with next years stocked class.  Loser has to wear Badger gear next year at the BMO Harris Center and post pics on scoop?

Russ's career numbers so far.

Ppg 12.9, Rpg 2.5, Apg 2.1, Bpg 0, FG% .387, 3p% .324, FT% .788

Vander's career numbers.

Ppg 9.3, Rpg 3.5, Apg 2.0, Bpg 0.1, FG% .429, 3p% .277, FT% .704

[BrewCity83]

I don't think we should ever be encouraging anyone to wear Badger gear at the Bradley Center for any reason, at any time.  Please find some other way to embarrass yourselves.

[JD]

I don't think we should ever be encouraging anyone to wear Badger gear at the Bradley Center for any reason, at any time.  Please find some other way to embarrass yourselves.

It's the ultimate shame.  Brew is 20,000 times confident, so i up'd the stakes.

[BrewCity83]

Yes, I agree that the shame would be unparalleled.  But as a by-product you're promoting that loser institution to the west.  Not acceptable. 

[muarmy81]

I triple-dog dare you!!!

[brewcity77]

My computer is having issues quoting Brew, so i'll just state this in my reply to you.  If you think Russ is a bad 3 point shooter, what do you call Vander then?  Look at the way both players shoot, and tell me you think Vander has a better shot form than Russ.  I'll happily make a wager with you that Russ will be drafted ahead of Vander next year if you'd like, even with next years stocked class.  Loser has to wear Badger gear next year at the BMO Harris Center and post pics on scoop?

Russ's career numbers so far.

Ppg 12.9, Rpg 2.5, Apg 2.1, Bpg 0, FG% .387, 3p% .324, FT% .788

Vander's career numbers.

Ppg 9.3, Rpg 3.5, Apg 2.0, Bpg 0.1, FG% .429, 3p% .277, FT% .704

Vander won't be in the draft next year