Once considered a failed ex-periment at point guard whomany believed would transfer afternot playing much as a freshman, Smithhas become the Cards’ offensive savior. Hehas led the team in scoring 11 times, the Elite Eight win over Florida,and is the second-leading scorer for the season despite coming off thebench.

His penchant for improvising and making shots he probablyshouldn’t take has drawn such descriptions as Russ-diculous, Russ-tasticand the all-encompassing “That’s Russ being Russ.”

HIGHLIGHTSHis 85 steals are one shy of the school single-season record shared

by Darrell Griffith (1979-80), Tick Rogers (’94-95) and Terrence Williams(’08-09).

Cards’ second-leading scorer (11.6) despite being sixth in minutesplayed (21.3).

Scored career-high 30 points at Kentucky, accounting for nearlyhalf of the Cards’ total of 62.

Smith, a transfer from Manhattan College,was mistaken by coach Rick Pitino for a newteam manager when he first arrived for a work-out with Samardo Samuels. He’s been unmistak-able ever since. Smith started all but two gamesthis season and is one of only three Cards to play

in every game.He is the team’s most accurate 3-point

shooter, ranking fourth in the Big East Con-ference at 39.8 percent. He has hit a career-high four threes in a game five times this

season.Pitino says Smith has always played in

the shadow of his brother, NBA guardJ. R. Smith, but adds that he has come

into his own in two seasons with theCards. Pitino presented him with

one of the nets cut down fromthe Elite Eight victory overFlorida.

HIGHLIGHTSTied for second on the team

with 75 assists. His assist-to-turnover ratio (1.74) is best on

the team.Scored team-high 15 points

during the Big East Tournamenttitle win over Cincinnati — with

J. R. watching in the stands.Tied his career high with 20

points at DePaul, including seven inovertime.

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User: gbrownstein Time: 03-28-2012 18:52 Product: LCJBrd PubDate: 03-29-2012 Zone: KY Edition: 1 Page: Special-D Color: CMYK