University of Massachusets Athletics
Smith Enjoying Last Run in A-10
February 26, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 26, 2003
When UMass women's basketball player Nekole Smith converted a lay-up for her eighth and ninth points of the game, at the 3:58 mark of the first half Jan. 18 against St. Bonaventure, she became the 14th Minutewoman to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau. The funny thing is that the senior forward had no idea it had happened until it was announced at the next timeout over the Mullins Center PA.
"I did not even know what was going on until they announced it and everyone started clapping for me," said Smith. "I knew I was close, but not that close. I was just focused on winning the game. That's all that mattered to me. It does mean I get my picture hung up on the locker room wall next to Jen's (Butler)."
Smith and Butler have combined to create one of the Atlantic 10's top post tandems this season. Butler is second in the conference averaging 17.1 points per game and leads the nation in rebounding at 14.2 rebounds per game, while Smith is enjoying a breakout season of her own. The Ann Arbor, Mich., product is second on the team and 12th in the conference, pouring in 13.7 points per game. In addition, she is grabbing 4.7 boards a contest and has blocked nine shots.
Smith, who is a fifth-year senior, sat out all of last season after dislocating her left knee in the preseason. After making just 23 starts in 88 career games, Smith has been a member of the starting five in each game on the Minutewomen's 2002-03 slate thus far. In her three previous years, Smith averaged just 8.9 points per game.
A co-captain, Smith makes the most of her shots as she currently sits in seventh place on the school's all-time field goal percentage chart with a .482 career mark. She leads this year's squad with a .492 (120-244) field goal percentage and is second on the team in free throw shooting, converting on 70.3 (45-64) percent of her charity tosses.
A member of the 1998-99 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, Smith is currently 11th in school history with 1,071 career points. She needs just 34 more to pass 1990 alum Helen Freeman and move into the top 10.
Smith is often the beneficiary of open looks as her fellow classmate on the post, Butler, often draws double- and triple-teams.
"It is kind of cool," said Smith. "I believe I can take some of the heat off Jen. If I start to have a good night then Jen will be back to single-man coverage and can get open. When they start to double both of us down low then we can kick it outside. They can't keep double-teaming when we are clicking on all cylinders."
As of Feb. 10, the Minutewomen were 12-9 overall and 4-6 in the Atlantic 10, good for a second-place tie in the East Division. Compared with last year's 12-18 final record, some would say that this is a great turnaround for first-year Head Coach Marnie Dacko. But, for a team laden with seniors that got off to an 8-1 start, the past month and a half could be looked upon as a disappointment.
No one can say that the Minutewomen are not in ball games this season. Out of its nine losses thus far, UMass has had a lead in the second half six times. In the other three games, it has been close down to the final few minutes in all but one game. Ironically, the only time the Minutewomen have been blown out this season was a 91-65 dismantling by Michigan in Nekole's hometown of Ann Arbor.
"We just have to stick together as a team," said Smith. "It is frustrating to be in so many games and not close them out. It would be one thing if we were young and learning, but this is a team with seven seniors. We just take the mind-set on focusing on the task at hand. There is no looking ahead to the next game and there is certainly no looking back. Once you start second guessing and playing the what if game, then you are in trouble."
What many people may not be aware of is Nekole's involvement in the community. She and Butler both participate in the Big Brother/Big Sister Programs. Nekole visits her "little sister," an eight-year old from Northampton, about once a week. They spend time doing anything from eating pizza to watching movies or playing outside. Smith and Butler also visit kids in school and read to them one day a week.
"When I graduate, I really want to work with kids," said Smith. "I want to be a primary school teacher and this is a great way to get started. Beside sports, being around kids is something I love and want to continue."
As the Minutewomen head down the stretch, they are still in good position for a first round bye in next month's Atlantic 10 Tournament. The top two seeds in each division receive a bye. It is no secret that the West is stronger this year, but Smith and the Minutewomen are in the thick of things in the East. Just take last year as an example. The Minutewomen were 8-8 in conference in the regular season, but advanced all the way to the A-10 semifinal game before falling in overtime to eventual champion Temple.
"It is very important that we maintain our composure," said Smith. "It is a long season and as we proved last year; anything can happen in March. Right now, our goal is to get that bye. It is very difficult to win four games in four days. After that, then we focus on winning A-10's, but right now, we just have to take care of business and focus on the task at hand."