Ivy League Basketball: 2017-18 stars on each team in the conference

3 of 9

EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 15: Members of the Columbia Lions basketball team cheer as they took a lead late into the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on November 15, 2013 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Columbia 62-53. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Columbia Lions – Mike Smith

The Lions finished last season towards the bottom of the conference with a 5-9 record. The lead scorer, Luke Petrasek, graduated this spring, taking his 15 points and six rebounds per game with him as well.

Columbia was a balanced offense last season but will struggle without Petrasek. The offense will become more guard-oriented this upcoming year. That guard to lead the way will be Mike Smith, a 5’11” sophomore who played and started every game last season.

Smith’s scoring average was 13.6 per game, good for second on the team. He finished sixth in the conference with 3.5 assists per game and will be the top returning passer in the conference. What made his season impressive for the Lions was his consistency, reaching double figures in 19 of the 27 games despite limited minutes.

The game against Cornell where he scored his season-high of 24 points will need to become the norm for Smith. He will have some help on the guard line with senior Nate Hickman, though, who averaged 12 points per game last season.

Smith’s development will go a long way towards the Lions reaching their goals.