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Miami basketball should recruit Indiana graduate transfer Justin Smith

By Zachary Letson

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - MARCH 04: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers steals the ball in the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Assembly Hall on March 04, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - MARCH 04: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers steals the ball in the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Assembly Hall on March 04, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Indiana small forward Justin Smith has entered the transfer portal for his final season of eligibility. Smith graduated from IU in three years, making him a graduate transfer and eligible immediately for next season. Miami basketball should target the small forward.

Indiana small forward Justin Smith averaged 10.4 points per game on 49 percent shooting, starting all 32 games for Indiana in the 2019-20 season. Smith likely would have led the Hoosiers to a 2020 NCAA Tournament bid had it occurred. The Miami basketball team could use Smith’s production.

Guards Chris Lykes and Kameron McGusty are Miami’s only returnees that averaged more than eight points per game last season. Lykes has been heavily relied on for the past two seasons as a scorer. Although Lykes has averaged at least 15 points per game in both seasons, Miami basketball needs more balance offensively.

Miami basketball doesn’t have a lot of depth at forward. Senior Keith Stone graduated, making Sam Waardenburg and Anthony Walker the only returnees at the position with adequate experience. The Canes do also have Deng Gak and four-star 2020 signee Matt Cross, but more help and experience would benefit Miami.

Smith played in all 98 games for Indiana in his three years in the program. In his final two seasons Smith started in 64 out of 67 possible games. Smith is a 6’7” wingman who is solid defensively. He’d be an upgrade for the Hurricanes, who ranked as the second-worst scoring defense in the ACC for the 2019-20 season.

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Jim Larrañaga’s team has already added one transfer this offseason in Elijah Olaniyi, but the Stony Brook Guard won’t be able to play in the 2020-21 season. Even with just one year of Smith as a graduate transfer, his ability to defend well and score efficiently could put Miami over the top to push for a 2021 NCAA Tournament bid.

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