RE: I'm always surprised when players with great looking

Posted on: October 10, 2016 at 13:14:47 CT

Willie Smith began his college career avging 12.6 ppg and 4.2 rebounds as a freshman and 13.5 ppg and 6.0 rebounds as a sophomore at Seminole JC in Oklahoma, giving no real indication as to his offensive prowess. He was recruited to MU as a backup and primarily a defensive specialist to shooting guard Steve Dangos, who had avged over 14 ppg the year before for MU. When Willie began practice under Norm, Stewart saw a flaw in Willie's shot, namely his elbow was too far out from his body when he shot. Norm got Willie to change his form, getting his hand and elbow underneath the ball when he shot. That subtle adjustment would make a drastic difference.

Smith would start his Tiger career as a junior, joining a club coming off a sub .500 finish. Norm Stewart gave the following scouting report on Smith in the media guide that season, "He won't always come through with super scoring nights, but he can handle the fast break and play both ends of the floor equally well."