Justin Smith

[SolarGarlic]

I think Nixon loved Iowa State and being apart of the team. He busted his a$$ off and never really mailed it in. His biggest issue was that he did too much, whether that be shot selection, over dribbling, over helping on defense at times, etc. I think he wanted so badly to become the second guy on the team that he fell in love with trying to be that and wasn't conscious enough to slow down in certain situations.

He was just a terrible fit for Haliburton and the offense we were trying to run. Who knew spotting up and waiting to hit a catch/shoot three-pointer would be such a tough role to fill? He was used to having the ball in his hands and driving/pulling up from the top of the key. A below average player, but more of a bad recruiting miss by Prohm. I agree, effort was never an issue.

 

[Statefan10]

He was just a terrible fit for Haliburton and the offense we were trying to run. Who knew spotting up and waiting to hit a catch/shoot three-pointer would be such a tough role to fill? He was used to having the ball in his hands and driving/pulling up from the top of the key. A below average player, but more of a bad recruiting miss by Prohm. I agree, effort was never an issue.

I would have absolutely loved him to be a role guy off the bench who would come in, give it his all, and shoot 3 or 4 times at the most. I think that would have been a great role for him. Maybe that's how Prohm envisioned him when he got him and the role he ended up having to play was due to early departures and what not, but either way, it did not work out. I thank him for representing Iowa State in a classy way though. He seemed like a very nice kid.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

Here's a highlight video of Justin Smith and some initial thoughts.

• Heck of an athlete
• Not incompetent from the 3 point line but definitely don't want him to fall in love back there
• Great finisher around the rim
• Gets out and runs the floor
• Pretty good ball handler
• Post work is pretty good. Usually initiates contact first and powers through his defender instead of using finesse
• Has a pull up game in his arsenal, but again, don't want him to fall in love with that shot

Overall, man oh man I would want him. That sort of athleticism is exactly what we did not have last year at that position. He was able to do quite a bit for Indiana last year. I loved some of the variations of his game. He's more than capable enough to take his man off the dribble and drive right down the throat of the defense. He also looked great when posted up on the block. Looks to be a guy CSP could use in a lot of ways and as I said before, he's not afraid to knock down a 3 every now and then. I'm guessing teams knew he was some sort of threat by the way he was constantly driving by defenders in this film. This would be a huge get for Prohm.

I definitely want him after watching that highlight tape!

 

[Statefan10]

I definitely want him after watching that highlight tape!

Yeah I'd be quite ecstatic if we end up landing him. Immediate starter IMO.

 

[jsb]

I think Nixon loved Iowa State and being apart of the team. He busted his a$$ off and never really mailed it in. His biggest issue was that he did too much, whether that be shot selection, over dribbling, over helping on defense at times, etc. I think he wanted so badly to become the second guy on the team that he fell in love with trying to be that and wasn't conscious enough to slow down in certain situations.

I think this is completely true. I get uncomfortable with the constant bashing of him because he worked his ass off for the team and frankly he shot so much because other people wouldn't do it. Last season didn't work out at all, but Nixon was never the entire problem and too many people on here acted like he was. I'm grateful that he consistently played hard and I think that set a good example for the younger players.

 

[Statefan10]

I think this is completely true. I get uncomfortable with the constant bashing of him because he worked his ass off for the team and frankly he shot so much because other people wouldn't do it. Last season didn't work out at all, but Nixon was never the entire problem and too many people on here acted like he was. I'm grateful that he consistently played hard and I think that set a good example for the younger players.

He was no doubt the punching bag we used to take out our frustrations on the entirety of the season. I feel bad because I did it too. I wish him well in the future wherever that may be!

 

[Cyclonepride]

I think Nixon loved Iowa State and being apart of the team. He busted his a$$ off and never really mailed it in. His biggest issue was that he did too much, whether that be shot selection, over dribbling, over helping on defense at times, etc. I think he wanted so badly to become the second guy on the team that he fell in love with trying to be that and wasn't conscious enough to slow down in certain situations.

I agree with all that, and would add that the team needed someone to step into that role, so he tried to do so.

 

[Statefan10]

I agree with all that, and would add that the team needed someone to step into that role, so he tried to do so.

And I admire him for doing so. He'll always be a Cyclone I remember that's for sure. He could go 0-11 or 10-11. The man had the confidence of Curry.

 

[AuH2O]

I would have absolutely loved him to be a role guy off the bench who would come in, give it his all, and shoot 3 or 4 times at the most. I think that would have been a great role for him. Maybe that's how Prohm envisioned him when he got him and the role he ended up having to play was due to early departures and what not, but either way, it did not work out. I thank him for representing Iowa State in a classy way though. He seemed like a very nice kid.

Nixon was tough and played his ass off. Did he hunt his shot too much? Yes. But a majority of the lineups last year were short on scorers or even guys that were willing to take shots. Not to mention when TH went down and he had the ball more often he was feeding Solo when he got position better than anybody else.

 

[Statefan10]

Nixon was tough and played his ass off. Did he hunt his shot too much? Yes. But a majority of the lineups last year were short on scorers or even guys that were willing to take shots. Not to mention when TH went down and he had the ball more often he was feeding Solo when he got position better than anybody else.

Yeah I think it was pretty clear almost through 1/4 of the season that Nixon was probably not a starter at this level.

 

[jbindm]

https://www-si-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.si.com/.amp-indiana/college/indiana/basketball/indiana-justin-smith-quit-on-teammates?amp_js_v=a3&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA=#aoh=15905394847292&referrer=https://www.google.com&amp_tf=From %1$s&ampshare=https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/indiana-justin-smith-quit-on-teammates

Sour grapes article on Smith's departure.

Hoosier shill first, journalist second. Quality hot take by a grumpy old dude. This is my favorite part:

"There is something very special about having an Indiana degree — and I'm not just saying that because I have one — and when it comes to Indiana basketball players, it matters, too. A lot. Your legend becomes etched in history to this fan base, regardless of your scoring average."

Sure, you can go somewhere else to play and make the most of your remaining eligibility but you'll never be an Assembly Hall LEGEND.

 

[ATCy]

Hoosier shill first, journalist second. Quality hot take by a grumpy old dude. This is my favorite part:

There is something very special about having an Indiana degree — and I'm not just saying that because I have one — and when it comes to Indiana basketball players, it matters, too. A lot. Your legend becomes etched in history to this fan base, regardless of your scoring average.

Sure, you can go somewhere else to play and make the most of your remaining eligibility but you'll never be an Assembly Hall LEGEND.

Wow. That's actually pathetic. Of course everyone loves their own school but have a little awareness for the world outside of Assembly Hall. Is he related to Liestikow??

 

[Rabbuk]

Hoosier shill first, journalist second. Quality hot take by a grumpy old dude. This is my favorite part:

There is something very special about having an Indiana degree — and I'm not just saying that because I have one — and when it comes to Indiana basketball players, it matters, too. A lot. Your legend becomes etched in history to this fan base, regardless of your scoring average.

Sure, you can go somewhere else to play and make the most of your remaining eligibility but you'll never be an Assembly Hall LEGEND.

What year is it.

 

[Cyched]

Many of you will say that because he's graduated, he has the right to go wherever he wants, that he paid his dues to Indiana even with a year of eligibility remaining

Yes?

 

[CySmurf]

I think if we could add this guy with the Jesus Christ recruit we apparently got...things are looking up! ;-)

 

[Cydkar]

I think if we could add this guy with the Jesus Christ recruit we apparently got...things are looking up! ;-)

Jesus Christ is limited by the holes in his feet and palms.

 

[Rabbuk]

I think if we could add this guy with the Jesus Christ recruit we apparently got...things are looking up! ;-)

I feel like Jesus would not add much height

 

[LLCoolCY]

I feel like Jesus would not add much height

True, but good for team chemistry.

 

[Clyde4cy]

Here's a highlight video of Justin Smith and some initial thoughts.

• Heck of an athlete
• Not incompetent from the 3 point line but definitely don't want him to fall in love back there
• Great finisher around the rim
• Gets out and runs the floor
• Pretty good ball handler
• Post work is pretty good. Usually initiates contact first and powers through his defender instead of using finesse
• Has a pull up game in his arsenal, but again, don't want him to fall in love with that shot

Overall, man oh man I would want him. That sort of athleticism is exactly what we did not have last year at that position. He was able to do quite a bit for Indiana last year. I loved some of the variations of his game. He's more than capable enough to take his man off the dribble and drive right down the throat of the defense. He also looked great when posted up on the block. Looks to be a guy CSP could use in a lot of ways and as I said before, he's not afraid to knock down a 3 every now and then. I'm guessing teams knew he was some sort of threat by the way he was constantly driving by defenders in this film. This would be a huge get for Prohm.

I can’t believe some folks on the board see this guy as a comp to Mike Jacobson.

 

[Cydkar]

I can’t believe some folks on the board see this guy as a comp to Mike Jacobson.

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