Deuce wild about Eastern’s Big Sky chances

They call him names, common in the culture of athletics, but Ken “Deuce” Smith smiles.

The only senior for the Eastern Washington Eagles relishes his role as a leader on a team that has a host of new faces and starts two freshman, a sophomore and a junior.

With the Eagles (5-8) ready to start league play, Smith, who possesses one of the best game-face scowls, is stepping up his game and pushing his teammates to do the same. He is averaging 7.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 23 minutes a game.

Before Eastern left for the toughest Big Sky Conference road trip to Northern Arizona and Sacramento State, the 6-foot-3 guard from Oakland, by way of Tyler, Texas, Junior College, took the time to answer some questions.

Spokesman-Review: What’s it like hanging with the “Diaper Dandies?”

Smith: I enjoy being around these young guys even though they call me grandpa and old man sometimes. It’s real fun and it helps me out. I’m helping these guys out and hopefully I help them get off to a good start like guys have done for me in the past. Even though we’re young, we’re expecting to do a lot of great things.

S-R: Last year didn’t go too well (8-20, 5-9) but the feeling seems different this year. What is the difference?

Smith: Coach doesn’t want us to talk about last year but it’s a lot more fun. Guys are a lot more loose, they’re laughing. You know, we’re having fun playing basketball. That’s the biggest thing about college basketball, you can’t take it all so serious. You want to be focused on the basketball aspect but you have to have fun with it. Something you love to do you want to have fun. You want to do your job … but you want it to be enjoyable.”

S-R: Conference play is starting, what do the Eagles need to do to be successful?

Smith: We have to play 40 minutes of basketball every night. The first three are on the road so we have to stay together … fight, play hard and compete for 40 minutes. … If we play defense the way we’re capable of playing, the sky’s the limit.

S-R: Who’s the favorite?

Smith: Besides us, I would have to put up there the guys like Montana, Northern Arizona, Sac State, Montana State, they have the majority of their team back. I’m going to put us right up there because we have just as much talent as those guys.”

S-R: Did you know anything about Eastern before you were recruited?

Smith: I knew about Eastern. A couple of guys from the Bay Area came though the program, Jamal Jones (2000-01) and Will Levy (1999-00). The scheduling, I didn’t know there would be this much competition. I was surprised and I was so happy we had an opportunity to play these high-caliber teams.

S-R: Oakland to Cheney, tough transition?

Smith: It’s a big transition. Slower pace is what I need to focus on my academics and focus on ball.

S-R: What’s your major and what are your plans?

Smith: Juvenile counselor and drug rehabilitation, I should graduate in the spring or fall. My mom and my grandmother always told me you’ve got to come back to your community and give back. … I want to help guys, give them a chance … the opportunity to do what I’m doing.