After a season-opening win over Bethune-Cookman, Iowa returns to play against North Carolina A&T. Here’s broadcast details vs. the Aggies.
Iowa returns to action tonight after dispatching of Bethune-Cookman 89-58. All five Hawkeye starters finished with double-figure scoring, led by Tony Perkins’ impressive day.
Perkins had 16 points, Kris Murray had 14, Payton Sandfort added 13, Patrick McCaffery scored 12 and Filip Rebraca chipped in with 11. As a team, Iowa shot 50.7% from the floor and 33.3% from 3-point range.
Perhaps most impressively was what the Hawkeyes did on the defensive end of the floor. A program that has sometimes gotten knocked for its defensive struggles at times, Iowa did what it was supposed to do against Bethune-Cookman. The Hawks held Bethune-Cookman to just 34.8% shooting and forced 16 turnovers.
Now, the Hawkeyes will look to keep their fast start on both ends of the floor rolling against North Carolina A&T.
“I like their team. They’ve added some pieces. They’re an interesting program that obviously I’m familiar with them because they were in the same city where I coached for a number of years. They’re going to be in three conferences in three years. You don’t see that very often.
“But very proud program. They have talent. They have depth. They’ve got some size. I think they’ve put a team together that has some pieces that can be special. They’ve got really good guard play, aggressive drivers, scorers, guys that can make shots, make threes, and then their front court guys, again, they have more depth than they’ve had in the past. They can go big, they can go small. They’re going to play at least 10, probably maybe a little bit more even. They’re comfortable going deeper with the group they have. It’ll be a great challenge for us,” Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery said of North Carolina A&T.
Iowa looks to start 2-0 as it welcomes the Aggies into Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Here’s everything you need to know in terms of the broadcast details and injury report.
Duke vs North Carolina A&T game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 3 game on Saturday, September 17
Duke vs North Carolina A&T prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 3, Saturday, September 17
Duke vs North Carolina A&T How To Watch
Date: Saturday, September 17
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Venue: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
How To Watch: ACC Network/ESPN+
Record: Duke (2-0), North Carolina A&T (0-2)
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It’s been a rough run so far offensively in the 0-2 start, but the defense isn’t getting gouged, it’s doing a nice job against the run, and there’s enough offensive talent there to start doing more.
Duke is having a hard time on third downs, the pass defense was ripped up by Northwestern last week, and there isn’t enough of a pass rush to make a difference.
North Carolina A&T has to slow things down, keep converting the third down tries, and …
They were outscored by NC Central and North Dakota State by a combined score of 71-16 with just one touchdown and no points so far in the second half.
Duke hasn’t been perfect over the first two games, but new head coach Mike Elko’s offense is working. Veteran QB Riley Leonard is hitting his downfield throws, the combination of running backs is balancing out the attack, and the defense is making up for its problems with takeaways.
The team survived Northwestern with a late fumble recovery. The defense has forced three turnovers in each of the first two games, North Carolina A&T’s D has yet to come up with one, and it hasn’t yet shown any hope of keeping up any pace.
Duke will get out to a 3-0 start before going to Kansas for a suddenly tough-looking game, but the schedule isn’t all that bad for a while. This is where the offense has to work on getting better on third downs, the pass defense should get a week off, and the backups will get plenty of work.
North Carolina A&T lost last year’s meeting 45-17. It’s going to be tough to keep it that interesting.
J.R. Smith is continuing to set the bar as a former pro athlete turned student athlete, and we love to see it.
The ex-NBA player has signed with Excel Sports for NIL representation. It’s the first such deal for a high-profile former professional, ESPN reports.
Smith, now a freshman golfer at North Carolina A&T, is receiving significant NIL interest from video game companies and golfing equipment manufacturers that could earn him well into the six figures, according to the report. Under the new NCAA rule, his deal with Excel will allow him to cash in on the endorsement opportunities his name, image and likeness provide.
Smith, 36, won two titles and a Sixth Man of the Year award during a 16-year career in the NBA, with the 2019-20 season being his last. Though he expressed interest in suiting up again amid the wave of COVID-related absences in the league this winter, Smith has enjoyed a successful transition into life as a Div. I student-athlete at North Carolina A&T, an HBCU in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Chronicling everything from midterms to his first GHOE (Greatest Homecoming on Earth) to a 4.0 first semester and, of course, the golfing, Smith has built a significant audience on social media. He has nearly seven million followers between Instagram and Twitter.
During his NBA career, Smith made over $90 million in salary. Now, he’ll be able to cash in on the interest his post-NBA journey has garnered. As a student, there are still limitations on what and how he can endorse, but the opportunities should be endless for someone as recognizable as he is.
The 35-year-old freshman walk on rebounded from a tough start to his college golf career.
North Carolina A&T head men’s golf coach Richard Watkins said JR Smith “found out today that collegiate golf is not easy” after the former NBA star made his college debut for the Aggies at the Elon Phoenix Invitational on Monday.
Smith, a 35-year-old freshman walk on at NC A&T, struggled out the gate with a 12-over 83 in the morning at Alamance Country Club in Burlington, North Carolina, but did well to rebound in the afternoon with a 7-over 78. Smith called his first competitive day a “learning experience,” but Tuesday’s final round was more of the same with an 8-over 79 to finish the event in 81st at 27 over.
The two-time NBA champion, first with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and then the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, made six bogeys for the third consecutive round, as well as one double and 11 pars. It was the first round of the event where Smith didn’t make a birdie.
“Playing for a score vs. playing for your ego or your pride, it’s a lot different than playing a round with your buddies at the random public courses,” Smith said on Monday after his second round.
After a 16-year career in the NBA, what Smith is doing, coming back to college and starting from square one as a grown man in a new sport, is truly impressive. But none of this has been given to him. It’s important to note that Smith is a walk on and earned his position on the team and in this week’s lineup. According to the school, “All A&T golfers must qualify for each tournament in practice unless the golfer finishes first or second on the team in the previous tournament,” and Smith qualified for the Phoenix Invitational by one stroke.
It’s not a publicity stunt, it’s a positive step in the next phase of the wild career of JR Smith.
JR Smith had a big, bright personality during his 16-year NBA career. Unfortunately for the former sharpshooting guard his scorecard was just as colorful in his college golf debut.
The 35-year-old two-time NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, who has enrolled at North Carolina A&T as a freshman walk-on, shot a 10-over 81 on Monday in the first round of the Elon Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club in Burlington, North Carolina. Smith walked off the course tied for 79th after eight bogeys, two double bogeys, two birdies and six pars.
Elon’s Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a 6-under 65.
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For those thinking Smith’s time in Greensboro is a publicity stunt or that the former NBA star is taking someone’s place, don’t get it twisted. Smith is a walk on and earned his position not only on the team, but in this week’s lineup. According to the school, “All A&T golfers must qualify for each tournament in practice unless the golfer finishes first or second on the team in the previous tournament,” and Smith qualified for the Phoenix Invitational by one stroke.
While his score was dropped from the Aggies’ team total for the first round (the format is play five players, count your best four scores), Smith did beat one of his teammates in the first 18. Anthony Ford, competing as an individual, shot an 11-over 82.
“He has a good enough golf game to put up some good numbers,” said head coach Richard Watkins a week before Smith’s debut. “But this is what I tell people. If you want to find out how good a golfer really is, put the word tournament or money in front of the round. Playing when there is nothing on the line is one thing. But, put meaning to it, and the heart rate changes. The grip on the club changes, and we get to see who you really are.”
Smith will have another chance to show who he really is on the course in Monday afternoon’s second round, which is now underway.
Monday, October 11, is the opening day of the Phoenix Invitational hosted by Elon. There are two ways to qualify for a tournament; qualifying in practice, and finishing first or second in the previous event. Smith was awarded a tee time after qualifying in practice by one stroke.
Alamance Country Club is the venue for the week, a par 71 layout measuring 6,867 yards.
Back in August, Smith shared some thoughts about balancing school, life, and golf.
“Being able to compete and challenge myself academically is where my heart is right now,” Smith said. “Being able to play golf at the same time is even better. It gives me incentive to keep my grades up.”
I hated school growing up and I knew this would be a challenge, but that's not going to discourage me one second. You have to be able to buckle down and lock into new journys and challenges coming in your life. Observe, learn and adapt.
“I hated school growing up and I knew this would be a challenge, but that’s not going to discourage me one second.”
J.R. Smith is reading short stories in his English class, studying nutrition in his family and consumer science class.
But the lessons for the longtime NBA player at North Carolina A&T aren’t just in the classroom. Smith also has learned college isn’t all fun and games. It’s not golf 24/7 even though he enrolled in part to play on the university’s golf team.
In a series of tweets over the past week, Smith, who turns 36 on Sept. 9, shared his freshman experience, expressing frustration of being back in the classroom for the first time since his senior year of high school in 2004.
“I hated school growing up and I knew this would be a challenge, but that’s not going to discourage me one second. You have to be able to buckle down and lock into new journeys and challenges coming in your life. Observe, learn and adapt,” Smith tweeted.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports
He asked if it were natural to “want to switch majors” one week into his first semester and tweeted, “Been up since 5am LA time working on my education assignments. One bad week will not spoil the semester. Lace your boots up put your head up and go to work.”
On Sunday, he wrote, “So disappointed in myself this first week man.”
Smith was once one of the best 450 basketball players in the world, a former champion and Sixth Man of the Year. It is estimated that he’s made more than $90 million during his NBA career. Now, he’s just like thousands of other college freshmen trying, maybe even struggling, to find their way – turning in assignments before a midnight deadline and contemplating the value of joining a fraternity.
His honest words reveal a vulnerability and humility but also inspiring to others trying to make a life change. In return, Smith has received tips and encouragement from professors, tutors, students, celebrities and media personalities, among others.
I’ve been wanting to go back to school to get my master’s for a while now and @TheRealJRSmith is seriously encouraging me rn! 🙏🏾
Nearly two decades ago, Smith committed to play basketball for Roy Williams at North Carolina. But after impressive performances in high school all-star games, including the 2004 McDonald’s All-American game in which he was named co-MVP with Dwight Howard, Smith decided bypass college for the NBA.
He embarked on a successful 16-year career winning titles with Cleveland in 2016 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and earning Sixth Man of the Year in 2013.
“After a while, school just disappeared from my mind,” Smith told reporters last week. “I didn’t think I would have that urge or want to go back or let alone encouraged to go back.”
A big golf fan and avid golfer, Smith often watched PGA Tour events in his NBA locker room and sometimes brought his clubs on road trips. After a regular-season game against Milwaukee during his Cavs days, Smith watched the final holes of a tournament on his iPad before starting his postgame press conference. And there was the year early in his Cavs days when he played 36 holes on an off day in Orlando and 18 the next day before that night’s game.
Smith said he put away the clubs for the 2015-16 season and didn’t play a full round until after the Cavaliers won the title. And, of course, he was one of the Lakers who made use of tee times in the Orlando bubble in 2020.
He didn’t play in the NBA last season and contemplated what life after basketball might look like. It’s not always an easy transition especially when your “career” is over by your mid-30s.
Smith decided to attend college.
“Being able to compete and challenge myself academically is where my heart is right now,” Smith said. “Being able to play golf at the same time is even better. It gives me incentive to keep my grades up.”
Joined a study group for my African American Studies class on #groupie an my classmates don't think it's me 😂😂😂😂
North Carolina A&T opens its fall season Sept. 24-25 at the Black College Golf Coaches Association Invitational.
“Obviously it’s a different environment from playing in front of 20,000 people to playing in a college golf gallery,” Smith said. “It’s still as nerve-wracking shooting a free throw in front of 5,000 people as it making a 5-foot putt in front of 30 (people). It all correlates the same.”
JR Smith’s journey to college at North Carolina A&T has been incredibly inspiring on so many levels.
He’s not there for thrills. He’s not there for jokes. He’s not there to make a huge scene or anything. He’s literally there just to try and better himself. It’s very obvious he’s taking this whole thing seriously, which, of course, he is. But it’s still awesome to see and acknowledge.
We’ve been able to follow his journey a bit through posts on social media from him and from the students around him.
And with his latest update, Smith told us he finished his English homework which, apparently, required him to write a short story.
He wrote a story about a little girl that sounds pretty awesome.
Finished my English homework. Dope short story about a little girl with six brothers and seeking parents approval. Dope reading 📚
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in the NBA memed more than JR Smith. He’s been known unofficially as the NBA’s “Henny God” for so long.
You’ve seen the memes. You know what I’m talking about. JR Smith is always pictured with a photoshopped bottle of Hennesy. And that’s despite him not actually drinking Hennessy.
But, now, Smith is tired of it. He’s done with the Henny God jokes.
It was fine at first. Funny, even. But it’s been years, at this point. The jokes are old and tired. He’s moved on to bigger things like going back to school to get his degree at North Carolina A&T.
But y’all know the internet, though. The jokes gotta fly — even for something as cool as this. That’s exactly what happened. Someone saw JR Smith walking the A&T campus and made a Henny God joke.
Smith wasn’t rocking, though. He left a comment on Instagram saying enough is enough with the jokes. They’re tired. And he’s absolutely right. They are.
Warning: There is some NSFW language in this post.
I’m excited @TheRealJRSmith goes to #NCAT but y’all need to realize he is a person trying to better himself. Give him his space and privacy. Network with him and engage in intellectual and meaningful conversation. Proud of you J.R., do your thing. #AggiePride 💙💛💯 pic.twitter.com/z1SoSZb8aV
“As a Black man in America you still can’t move on from the [expletive] that people continue to put on your name. Not one positive post about going to school and trying to better myself. Y’all make it look so weak/corny to inspure my people to want to do better…”
Smith has a point, man. This is a really good thing he’s doing! It’s not for publicity. It’s not because he wants a spotlight. It’s because he’s legitimately trying to get his degree and give himself a new experience.
He told us himself. He was on Instagram Live with some players from the NC A&T’s football team and they asked why Smith was back in school.
His answer was simple: To get a degree.
Lakers Champion Jr. Smith on Attending @ncatsuaggies:
After passing on college to go straight to the NBA from high school, J.R. Smith is going back to school with a lofty goal.
After passing on college to go straight to the NBA from St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, New Jersey, J.R. Smith is going back to school with a lofty goal: to play college golf.
The 35-year-old two-time NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 has enrolled at North Carolina A&T and, if cleared by the NCAA, plans to play on the HBCU’s men’s golf team.
“Ray Allen kind of convinced me,” Smith said Wednesday while rocking an Aggies shirt at the Wyndham Championship pro-am in Greensboro, North Carolina. “We had a little golf trip in (the Dominican Republic) and he was talking about some of the things he was doing, about going back to school and challenging yourself for us athletes. I really took heed to it and decided to go back – and one of the best liberal studies programs is at A&T.”
North Carolina A&T competes in Division I in the Big South conference, with classes starting Aug. 18. Smith, a 5 handicap, and his family are moving to Greensboro.
“I’ve got no free time now. Raising kids and going to school, my schedule will be full. I can’t wait to be a part of the HBCU family,” said Smith. “I’ve really been embraced by everybody so far on campus. I’m looking forward to start going to football games and repping Aggie Pride.”
