[BlackBear3]

Cards are back, just hope he doesnt suffer any injuries this year. And you have to expect the UL/UK game will be even more heated. Going to be a packed house at Rupp this year. What are your thoughts on Smith returning?

[FBALL]

Much like his game he can't decide which way he is going.

[outdoorsman43]

Since this news has broke, I hear these Louisville fans saying their going to be better than Kentucky this coming year. Stop it.

Without Russ Smith, Louisville could have won the title. Without Siva or Dieng, they would not have. I don't think Smith helps the Cards very much. He is similar to the Archie Goodwin of last year's Kentucky team, just scores a little better. His shot selection is still juvenile and that will never change.

I also hear Louisville fans acting like JUCO transfer Chris Jones is better than Peyton Siva.

Simply put, I'm not that worried about next year's game.

[Disco Stu]

His stock will never be higher than it is right now...Big mistake, but then again Pitino is only thinking of himself

Anybody surprised by that?

[Steve Kuberski]

If Ware comes back healthy, they will be super-solid at the guard position. Smith, Ware, the #1 Juco in the country and the two freshmen.

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

Weak draft class this year he should have went.

[theVILLE]

His stock will never be higher than it is right now...Big mistake, but then again Pitino is only thinking of himself

Anybody surprised by that?

Actually Pitino encouraged him to leave. That was stated 3 weeks ago. Russ said he was losing sleep and if he had that much of a doubt about leaving he ahould just stay.

[theVILLE]

Idk how anybody compares him to Archie Goodwin. Totally different! Russ is a 2 star recruit not a 5 star, one of the nations leading scorers in points and steals. Led the tourney in PPG, doesnt have that attitude that Goodwin has, he appears to enjoy the game alot, and in noway did Russ destroy team chemistry like Goodwin. Russ takes bad shots but look at his avg in the tourney until the championship, his fg% was out the roof!

[Wildcatk23]

Since this news has broke, I hear these Louisville fans saying their going to be better than Kentucky this coming year. Stop it.

Without Russ Smith, Louisville could have won the title. Without Siva or Dieng, they would not have. I don't think Smith helps the Cards very much. He is similar to the Archie Goodwin of last year's Kentucky team, just scores a little better. His shot selection is still juvenile and that will never change.

I also hear Louisville fans acting like JUCO transfer Chris Jones is better than Peyton Siva.

Simply put, I'm not that worried about next year's game.

Lol workout Russ smith they don't win the championship. Plain and simple.

[insideinfo]

Can you say D LEAGUE.

[#1 Blackcat Fan]

Idk how anybody compares him to Archie Goodwin. Totally different! Russ is a 2 star recruit not a 5 star, one of the nations leading scorers in points and steals. Led the tourney in PPG, doesnt have that attitude that Goodwin has, he appears to enjoy the game alot, and in noway did Russ destroy team chemistry like Goodwin. Russ takes bad shots but look at his avg in the tourney until the championship, his fg% was out the roof!

I'm a huge UK fan and agree with you completely. Not to mention Goodwin probably took a lot more bad shots than Smith. Smith did make a huge contribution in the National Title run.

[outdoorsman43]

Lol workout Russ smith they don't win the championship. Plain and simple.

Why not? He was a no-show in the title game.

Do you think he was more valuable than Siva or Dieng?

[outdoorsman43]

Idk how anybody compares him to Archie Goodwin. Totally different! Russ is a 2 star recruit not a 5 star, one of the nations leading scorers in points and steals. Led the tourney in PPG, doesnt have that attitude that Goodwin has, he appears to enjoy the game alot, and in noway did Russ destroy team chemistry like Goodwin. Russ takes bad shots but look at his avg in the tourney until the championship, his fg% was out the roof!

Russ averages 20 points per game because he doubles that average in field goal attempts per game. He did shoot it well in the tournament until the Final Four, in which he couldn't buy a bucket.

All I'm saying is I think this Louisville team could have won without him. He was the third (maybe even fourth behind Chane Behanan) most important player on this team.

Archie Goodwin did not destroy team chemistry, either. He actually had a good attitude was one of the 2 or 3 players that gave it their all this season. I assure you he was not the problem.

[Mix1]

Russ averages 20 points per game because he doubles that average in field goal attempts per game. He did shoot it well in the tournament until the Final Four, in which he couldn't buy a bucket.

All I'm saying is I think this Louisville team could have won without him. He was the third (maybe even fourth behind Chane Behanan) most important player on this team.

Archie Goodwin did not destroy team chemistry, either. He actually had a good attitude was one of the 2 or 3 players that gave it their all this season. I assure you he was not the problem.

Wouldn't be so sure on that.. What I was told,, from close to UK,, that harrow was main bad attitude,, and Archie was a close second.. Reason Archie was so hell bent on going to the NBA. He never even told Cal he was leaving. Went behind his back and put his name in the hat. Either way I'm glad he's gone..

Mix1...

[outdoorsman43]

Wouldn't be so sure on that.. What I was told,, from close to UK,, that harrow was main bad attitude,, and Archie was a close second.. Reason Archie was so hell bent on going to the NBA. He never even told Cal he was leaving. Went behind his back and put his name in the hat. Either way I'm glad he's gone..

Mix1...

Why was he so "hellbent" on coming back after the Robert Morris game then? What changed? Did he watch Cal's post-BobbyMo presser (I could understand that LOL)? But if what you say is true, that's fine.

I have a feeling that there won't be any of those attitudes around these parts for a while.

Could it be where Cal has had so much success with recruiting lately that he laid back more than normal to find a kid with that ideal attitude, discipline, and work ethic? Because all of those attributes were terribly lacking last season.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Im glad Goodwins gone.
He was a big part of the problem.

[Mix1]

Why was he so "hellbent" on coming back after the Robert Morris game then? What changed? Did he watch Cal's post-BobbyMo presser (I could understand that LOL)? But if what you say is true, that's fine.

I have a feeling that there won't be any of those attitudes around these parts for a while.

Could it be where Cal has had so much success with recruiting lately that he laid back more than normal to find a kid with that ideal attitude, discipline, and work ethic? Because all of those attributes were terribly lacking last season.

The Robert Morris quote was right after a loss to a miserable season. Was just caught up in the moment. All players almost always says the same thing in that situation. Cal even said there was 2 players on the team that caused the season to be like it was. Uncoachable I think was the word. And your correct on that Cal took longer looks at recruits as far as them being the ideal team concept players. He was nor never will get into the same mess as he did last year..

Mix1...

[Steve Kuberski]

Putting too much emphasis on Smith's "O". It was his "D" that made him so valuable. They certainly do not win NCAA championship without him.

[Fromthebleachers]

Outdoorsman....you are definitely clueless. Wow!

[theVILLE]

Russ averages 20 points per game because he doubles that average in field goal attempts per game. He did shoot it well in the tournament until the Final Four, in which he couldn't buy a bucket.

All I'm saying is I think this Louisville team could have won without him. He was the third (maybe even fourth behind Chane Behanan) most important player on this team.

Archie Goodwin did not destroy team chemistry, either. He actually had a good attitude was one of the 2 or 3 players that gave it their all this season. I assure you he was not the problem.

Russ was a huge key to UL this season! If he wasnt having a great shootig game, so what?Take his defense away and we have no banner!
And Thanks for the input on Goodwin, still doesnt change my opinion about him though. I still feel he was a problem with chemistry most of the season

[Ballers]

Russ Smith definitely did not hurt the Cards.
And it don't hurt them this coming season either.
Could have definitely went to the NBA if he chose too. Pitino must have jerked out that wallet like Cal does.

[Skip]

Mistake! Undersized and will not get drafted nearly as high with a stronger draft next year.