N.C. State Wolfpack: Dennis Smith, Jr. flies high in ACC
NC State Wolfpack point guard Dennis Smith, Jr. has continued high level play despite the team running into a rough patch.
Two weeks ago, the North Carolina State Wolfpack upset the Duke Blue Devils, 84-82. Ever since that game, the Wolfpack cannot buy a victory. N.C. State has lost their last three games since the victory against Duke.
Despite N.C. State losing three straight games, Dennis Smith, Jr. continues to have an impressive freshman season. Smith had his worst performance of the season against the Louisville Cardinals. In this game, he did not score in double figures. He finished the game with eight points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Smith followed up this subpar performance with his second triple-double this season against the Syracuse Orange. Although N.C. State lost to Louisville 100-93 in overtime, Smith erupted for 13 points, 15 assists and 11 assists. Smith’s first triple-double came against Virginia Tech on January 4, 2017. He finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against the Hokies.
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On this past Saturday, Smith had his fourth 30-point game this season. He scored 31 points, dished nine assists and had three steals in a 84-79 defeat to the Miami Hurricanes. Smith’s other 30-point games this season came against Loyola-Chicago (30 points, six assists, seven rebounds, three steals), Georgia Tech (31 points, six assists, eight rebounds) and Duke (32 points, six assists, four rebounds).
Smith was a preseason first-team All-ACC selection. This preseason prediction will most likely come to fruition. Smith leads the ACC with 6.96 assists and 2.21 steals per game. He ranks fifth in scoring in the ACC (19.21 points per game).
In addition to being a lock for first-team All-ACC, Smith should be a unanimous selection for Freshman of the Year. He has an opportunity to win ACC Player of the Year as well. Smith is definitely a front-runner, in addition to Duke’s Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen, Pittsburgh’s Jamel Artis and North Carolina’s Joel Berry and Justin Jackson.
Smith represents the heartbeat of the Wolfpack. He is their heart and soul.
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This summer will be an interesting one for the Smith. NBADraft.net projects Smith to be a top-five lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. DraftXpress projects Smith to be selected as the number four overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
One thing for sure is that this season will be Smith’s lone season as a college basketball player. He is poised to win several awards at the end of this season. Enjoy his talent in Raleigh, North Carolina while you can. Next season, Smith will be playing in Charlotte, North Carolina for an opposing NBA team.