It shouldn’t surprise Buckeye fans that 35% of Ohio State’s points came off the hands of Sophomore guard Lenzelle Smith Jr. Sunday against Indiana at home.
Sure, he is still only averaging six points per game after the first 20 point game of his career. It’s also true that the second year guard has never had an outpour of offensive production that makes your mouth melt quicker than Dickie V on a Dipsy Doo Dunkaroo Wednesday.
But Ladies and Gents, Lenzelle Smith Jr. is for real. Fact is, he’s been legit offensively all season long.
Yes, there is some validation to the ESPN moniker that Smith is “the guy that nobody knows about.” Of course nobody should have expected Smith to go 10-12 from the field and 4-5 from beyond the arc. Nobody in their right mind would of thought he would of brought down 2 rebounds in the first four minutes of play that would be key in setting the tone of the game early.
Yet he’s one of the best rebounding guards in the Big Ten and is second on the team per game at bringing down the basketball.
Sneakily, from year one to year two Smith has done the little things that go unnoticed on the court in his 20 minutes a game. And when asked upon he has delivered.
The starting guard is shooting 53% from the field and from three point land. He averaged just four shots a game entering Sunday, but had yet to shoot under 50% in a game. He’s bringing down nearly five rebounds every time out, stealing a basketball away on defense, and producing two assists for every turnover.
So when Thad Matta and company drew it up to exploit Indiana’s defense by going to the unsung starter, it wasn’t a blessing in disguise.
It was the blossoming of a talent, continuing to define his role and piece in the puzzle.
Of course it didn’t hurt that the Hoosiers failed to keep an eye on Smith in Assembly Hall earlier this season. In round one, Smith shot a then season high 8 shots, went 2-3 from long range, and brought down six rebounds. He also compiled three key assists with the team losing, tied, or up one en route to a then career high 12 points.
When the team watched the film over, it became apparent that Smith’s man was leaving him to double team Craft or Sully in the post. Like a good coaching staff does, they put faith in their least known commodity and give him the keys to drive the offense.
And like a 16 year old with fresh rubber, #32 went pedal to the metal.
Just like that, teams will now have another fold of the Buckeye offense to worry about when scouting and preparing. And though he might lean more towards his average of six per night than 28, teams have to respect him.
Or else he’ll make you pay.
Buckeye Notes:
- Anytime you hear the phrase live or die by the three, it has to scare you as a fan. The Buckeyes are now 5-0 when shooting 40% or better from beyond the arc. They are 6-0 when sinking 6 or more three pointers.
- When shooting 50% or better from the floor, the Buckeyes are 8-0.
- The rebounding tandem of Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Jared Sullinger tallied 49% of the teams total on Sunday. Ohio State has out rebounded it’s opponent in nine straight contests.
- Ohio State only turned the ball over five times and scored 20 points off of forced turnovers.
- Another impressive Lenzelle Smith stat – He scored 18 in the first half, which was four more than all of Indiana’s roster. The Buckeyes held the Hoosiers to a season best 14 points in the first half.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
