10 - Tuesday, March 6, 2007 5Por
Strength from above:
The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom
Smith relies on
By H. JOSE BOSCH
Daily Sports Editor
Before every basketball game, sopho-
more Jerret Smith reads Philippians 4:13:
"I can do all things through Christ, who
strengthens me."
Smith needed that strength following
a concussion he suffered against Wis-
consin on Jan. 24, which kept him side-
lined for the Indiana and Ohio State road
trips.
"In those kinds of situations, I can't
rely on anybody else except for the Lord
to heal me, and that's what He did,"
Smith said. "He (willed) me tobe able to
come out here and play and to be able to
improve my game each day."
Smith's play has improved and his
recent success has led Michigan coach
Tommy Amaker to start the Romulus
native for the past five games of the sea-
son.
Over the second half of the Big Ten
season, Smith has averaged 7.3 points, 3.8
rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
His consistent play in the past month
is a major reason why the Wolverines
have been playingtheir best basketball of
the season.
Over that time, Michigan has played
rival No. 1 Ohio State close in two games,
defeated then-No. 24 Indiana and beaten
Michigan State at Crisler Arena.
"(Smith's play) has given us a big turn-
around and you can see a big difference
in our play, especiallythese past couple of
weeks," senior Brent Petway said. "He's
really taking care of the ball for us and
he's really commanding us so we haven't
turned the ball over nearly as much as we
had in the past."
Before Smith's injury, the Wolverines
averaged 15.2 turnovers per game. That
number has since dropped to 13.9.
Smith's presence has also allowed
senior Dion Harris to play at his natural
position - shooting guard. With both
Harris and Smith in the lineup regularly,
Harris has scored two more points per
game (15) than his season average (13).
"When we're out (on the court) togeth-
er, he's always talking to me and telling
me what we need to do as guards in the
back court," Harris said. "That's definite-
ly been a help to me. I don't have to worry
about having the ball as much (because)
he does that well."
While Smith's recent accomplish-
ments are being noticed by fans and the
media alike, the soft-spoken sophomore
deflects any credit.
During interviews, Smith often extols
his teammates' play on the court and
praises God for blessing him with the
opportunity to play at Michigan.
And, according to Smith, a Baptist, it's
his religion that has helped him become
faith
the player that he is today.
"It's a blessing to be healthy and to be
alive (until) this point in my life," Smith
said. "It's all credit to God, because with-
out him, I couldn't do anything. Nothing
is possible without Him. I give Him all
the credit because through thick and thin,
He's always goingto be there for me."
Prior to this season, no one would've
imagined that Smith would be a major
contributor for the Wolverines. But head-
ing into the Big Ten Tournament opener
on Thursday, he's one of the key players
who can guide Michigan to postseason
success.
"He's leading our offense right now;
he's leading our team as far as playing
the point guard position," Harris said.
"His play is as vital as anybody's, seniors
included. He's probably the most impor-
tant piece because he's handling the ball
... and taking care of the ball for us."
Smith still has some work to do. He
committed six turnovers against Ohio
State, two of which occurred during
Michigan's meltdown in the final four
minutes. And in the two losses prior to
that, Smith committed more turnovers
than assists.
But if the sophomore keeps his turn-
overs down, Michigan has a better
chance to go deep into the Big Ten Tour-
nament.
His opponents will pray he doesn't.
E
PETER S.
Sophomore Jerret Smith has seen increased playing in time in Michigan's past five games.
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