Duke Basketball: How Will a National Title Impact Nolan Smith's Draft Stock?

Nolan Smith's Duke basketball career has been filled with both challenges and opportunities.

He played regularly as a backup his freshman year, started 21 games as a sophomore and stepped into a primary role on last year's championship team...challenges and opportunities.

This year, Smith was projected to be a featured player on the Blue Devil's squad that would highlight returning Final Four Most Outstanding Player Kyle Singler and introduce freshman phenom point guard, Kyrie Irving...challenges and opportunities.

However, things changed early in the 2010-11 season. Singler didn't explode out of the gate, and Irving sustained a serious toe injury that would sideline him from the eighth game until the NCAA tournament. Smith needed to move from his natural position, shooting guard, to run the team as the point guard...challenges and opportunities.

Smith has superbly stepped up this season, leading the Blue Devils in scoring and assists, winning the ACC scoring championship and earning the 2011 ACC Player of the Year Award.

With Duke ready to play Arizona in the Sweet 16, Smith faces another set of challenges and opportunities.

If he can lead Duke to back-to-back NCAA Championships, how will another national title impact his draft stock?

Not getting ahead of ourselves, Smith and his Blue Devil teammates need to get out of their region and to the Final Four. This is not a given. Even though Duke will be favored in any game still in the West Regional, they have some matchups that could cause them concern. 

Arizona is playing well, and either San Diego State or UConn could present some major problems.

Head-to-Head Matchups

Separate from how his team does, how Smith does in his individual matchups will be important in terms of his draft stock. Even this presents an intriguing set of circumstances for Smith to navigate.

One of the challenges/opportunities for Smith would happen if Duke beats Arizona and UConn takes down San Diego State.

Smith would then square off against Kemba Walker, another elite point guard looking to demonstrate his NBA-readiness.

If this matchup materializes, Smith can prove that he can score, distribute and defend against one of the premier players at his projected NBA position.

If Duke advances to the Final Four, they will most likely meet Ohio State, the No. 1 seed of the tournament. The challenge/opportunity for Smith in this game would be to see how he would perform against a team with superior talent and physical ability.

Smith would most likely be matched up against David Lighty, a tough, lock-down defender with size (6'5" 220 lbs). If this matchup materializes, Smith can demonstrate how he can do against a physically bigger player. 

NBA scouts want to see Smith succeed against as many different types of players as possible.

Intangibles

Apart from how Smith goes head-to-head against any of his remaining opponents, he can confirm his team-leading abilities, the intangibles that don't show up in the box score:

How he mentally and emotionally reacts to adversity.  How he responds when his team is behind on the scoreboard.

How he challenges his teammates to step up. How he elevates his own game in big games.

NBA scouts will want to see Smith take charge, not just look for the spotlight.

Winning

Charlie Sheen's use of this single word hasn't entirely redefined its importance.

Smith's draft stock would take a jump if he and his teammates can win four more games, and be the first team to capture back-to-back championships since Florida did it in the 2006-2007 seasons.

NBA scouts like players who just make victories happen.

Nolan Smith has responded well to the challenges and opportunities of his almost four years playing for Duke.

Personally for him, the next four games may be the most significant chances that he has to help or hinder his draft stock.

If Duke wins another national title, Nolan Smith will have to come up big.

And it looks like he's ready to face the challenges and opportunities one more time.