TheWolverine.com - Smotrycz, Hardaway sign letters; Zeigler waits

November 11, 2009

Chris Balas
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor

Michigan's two-man recruiting haul isn't ranked among Rivals.com's top 25 in the country - numbers alone would prevent that. But in Miami Palmetto standout wing Tim Hardaway, Jr. (6-5, ESPN.com No. 98) and New Hampton (N.H.) forward Evan Smotrycz (6-8, Rivals.com No. 52), Michigan head coach John Beilein has landed two more pieces of what he hopes will be a Big Ten contender down the road.

"These are two multi-dimensional players that are very capable of playing several different positions," said Beilein. "They have good length. They are outstanding shooters. They have a good feel for the game with high basketball IQs. They have great court vision. What really impresses me is their ability to pass, which will be valuable down the road."

Neither Smotrycz nor Hardaway had a plethora of offers when they committed to Michigan, but both would certainly have earned more had they not pledged when they did. Smotrycz committed on April 9 over interest and offers from Oregon State, Virginia and others and then proceeded to break into the top 100 with an outstanding spring and summer AAU performance.

Hardaway, meanwhile, was hearing from Miami, Kansas State, Minnesota and others and held offers from some, but he didn't waste time to commit after spending several days at Beilein's camp this summer, pledging immediately after he got home.

"I saw him early in the summer at Boo Williams, and at the Hoop Jamboree the year before," Rivals.com's Jerry Meyer said of Hardaway. "What I like about him is his length as a scorer. He has a feel for putting the ball in the basket, knows how to us length to his advantage.

"What he needs to improve on is his ball handling and decision making. If he's coachable and buys into the system, I expect him to improve greatly under Beilein."

Hardaway averaged 25.2 points and 11.3 rebounds as a junior. His father, Tim Sr., recently had his jersey retired by the Miami Heat, and Jr. continues to work on the crossover dribble his father made famous.

"It's getting better and better," he told the Miami Herald. "Now I am focusing more on getting low and dribbling. That is the key to doing it. My dad was really small and strong. It is different. He was much quicker than I was."

His jump shot is his staple, said Beilein.

"The biggest thing about Tim is he has a pretty jump shot," he said. "If you look at Manny's [Harris] jump shot right now, it is perfect, and Tim's is pretty close to that point early with his development. It's got great form, great spin and has a chance to go in every time. He is a very athletic player and like I said before, his vision on the court in outstanding."

Smotrycz, meanwhile, burst onto the national scene with great performances throughout the summer, but especially at the NBA Players' Association Camp in June, held in Virginia. He's rangy, more athletic than given credit for and can score the ball in a number of different ways. He averaged 14 points per game at New Hampton despite fighting through a number of injuries and an illness (mono) and added 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He posted a season-best 26 points against Winchendon Prep and had four games with 20-plus points and 15 with 10-plus points.

"I didn't know what to expect [when I saw him]," said Meyer, "but he really grew on me as I watched him. At first I was concerned about his lack of athleticism, but then I noticed he would always come up with ball. He was always the guy coming out of the pack with it.

"I was very impressed with his ball handling and passing. He made shots when he was open and scored off the dribble as well going to the basket. He's a stabilizer type player, the type of guy from the wing who can be a glue guy, facilitate involving his teammates, and can also makes plays as a scorer."

Added Beilein: "Evan can play three different positions for us. It is his versatility, great size and shooting ability which we like. Being 6-9, it is rare to see someone shoot it like he does. But what I really like is that he is an exceptional passer. His potential is outstanding."

Both Hardaway and Smotrycz are "very intelligent players," said Meyer, "right up Beilein's alley." They hope to add one more to their group to make it a trio in April, when Mount Pleasant (Mich.) 6-5 wing Trey Zeigler will sign his letter in the late period. Should the Wolverines land the nation's No. 26 player, they'll likely break the top 25 team recruiting rankings.

"I'd say they'd have a very good chance of doing that," said Meyer. "We'll have to see how everything plays out, but they'd definitely be in contention."

Zeigler is considering UCLA, Arizona and his dad's Central Michigan team in addition to others and recently enjoyed an outstanding official visit to U-M with several family members. He told TheWolverine.com the Wolverines are still on his short list.

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