It reads like a great title for movie: “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Part II.”
The language that could be heard in this sequel, however, would make even the most antagonistic of congressmen blush.
UCLA venturing to the Pacific Northwest this weekend means that freshman center Joshua Smith will be heading back to the Evergreen State for the first time as a collegian. Smith hails from Kent, a town just about 20 miles from the campus of the University of Washington.
Smith’s team at Kentwood High School won a state championship his senior season.
The Bruins expect a less-than-warm reception in Hec Edmundson Pavilion, a venue known for being a hostile one. Smith will likely be the primary target ““ the freshman is from the area but spurned Washington for UCLA when it came to selecting a school.
“In their opinion, I’m a traitor,” Smith said. “I made a decision that I thought was best for me, and I’m sticking to it. I love it down here.”
Given his immense size and personality, the freshman is already a popular choice for opposing fans.
He was reportedly verbally harassed during UCLA’s game at USC earlier this season, after which Smith admitted to making an obscene gesture to the fan in question.
“He’s had some inappropriate things hurled at him on the road already,” coach Ben Howland said.
“He’s a big deal, both figuratively and literally.”
Then again, Smith will also have a good amount of support ““ he expects a large number of friends and family to be in attendance. Count on those closer members to come to his aid if things start to get too vitriolic ““ for better or worse.
“The last thing I need is to look up there and see my mom trying to tell the whole student section to shut up,” Smith said.
Overall, Smith continues to progress, and mature, at an impressive pace. Howland cited a slam dunk that Smith had in the Bruins’ first meeting against Arizona State as a turning point in the freshman’s season.
“I think he’s really taken off from that point,” Howland said. “That’s how he should be playing. I thought he was great for us on Saturday in the low post.”
The March march
It’s that month of the year ““ nearly time to trade in the adidas sneakers for dancing slippers.
UCLA ““ fresh off of its dominant win over Arizona ““ is now all but ensured a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
But there is still plenty to be determined before the First Four tips off on the Ides of March. The Bruins’ weekend trip to the Washington schools will have important implications for the seeding of the Pac-10 tournament.
That event, subsequently, will be critical in determining what seed UCLA will land come Selection Sunday on March 13. The eyes of Bruin fans will be on teams such as Arizona and St. John’s as the final rankings begin to fall into place.
Not so for the Bruins themselves.
“We really try not to look at other teams,” junior guard Malcolm Lee said. “We’re going into this weekend trying to take care of our stuff, and if we take care of our stuff, everything else will fall into place.”