Would Mike Smith be able to adapt and defend in the Big Ten?
It was an important question surrounding the 5-foot-11, 185-pound scoring machine and grad transfer point guard as he made the move from the Ivy League to arguably the toughest conference in the country.
One month and six games into the league schedule, Smith has shown he can hold his own on the defensive side of the ball.
“He’s accepted the challenge. Some games thus far we’ve asked him to defend bigger guys and he’s really stepped up,” Michigan assistant coach Howard Eisley said ahead of Saturday’s rematch against No.