Nolan Smith has eyes and ears.
He knows what's behind him, that Duke hasn't reached the Final Four since 2004. He's also aware what's in front of him, a possible second-round matchup in the NCAA tournament against Louisville. Smith's late father Derek was a nine-year NBA veteran who played on the Cardinals' national championship team in 1980.
Smith, however, is focused on the moment.
"It's six games to the national championship but you have to have the same mindset," Smith told FanHouse. "It's the same mindset we've had all season, taking one game at a time, never looking ahead and mentally preparing for each game."
Duke (29-5) holds the No. 1 seed in the South Regional -- its first top seed since 2006 -- and will face Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday in Jacksonville, Fla.
While most of the college basketball world figures the Blue Devils have the easiest Final Four path of any of the four No. 1 seeds -- and has said as much very loudly -- Smith, a junior guard and integral part of Duke's "Big Three," disagrees. He says The Big Dance is more musical chairs once the ball is tossed into the air, and somebody is always being eliminated, regardless of stature.
Smith has experienced it firsthand.
Two years ago, the Blue Devils survived 15th-seeded Belmont in the opening round, only to be bounced in their next game by West Virginia. Last year's team reached the round of 16 for the first time since 2006, but it was knocked out by eventual Final Four participant Villanova.
"There's no such thing as an easy path," Smith said.
Smith believes the Blue Devils are different this year, pointing to their defense, rebounding and desire. They showed their mettle in last week's Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, holding off determined Georgia Tech in the title game for their record-setting 18th tournament championship and ninth in the past 12 years.
"This team has the most desire of any team I've been on here."
-- Nolan Smith
"This team has the most desire of any team I've been on here," Smith said.
"It's one that wants to play defense, it wants to stop the other team, it rebounds, it's focused to win. We don't care who's scoring the points or who's making the big plays. We are all together and it shows out on the court."
Smith's infectious smile and love for the game shows, too.
He has been a top defender in the ACC, pressuring opposing points guards. His nine-point scoring increase from his sophomore season was second-best in the ACC. And, of course, Smith's part of "The Big Three" that includes Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler -- and is easily the best-looking fella in the group, he says.
"They wouldn't disagree," Smith said, laughing.
The trio combined to average 53.6 points per game, or 68.4 percent of Duke's scoring. They are attempting to become just the third trio in Duke history to each average over 17.0 points per game.
They continued to receive postseason honors on Tuesday.
Scheyer was named a second team All-America by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). Scheyer and Singler were each named to the final ballot for the Wooden All-America teams and the Wooden Award. The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced its All-District teams with Scheyer earning All-District 2 first team recognition and Singler and Smith being placed on the second team.
The trio share a special bond.
"It has been great to play with those two guys, it's crazy," Smith said
"They do everything. Both shoot the ball well, both pass the ball well, playing defense. Jon [Scheyer] at the point, he's so composed, and Kyle's an all-around player, an inside-outside threat."
What about Smith?
"The main thing I bring to the table is defense," Smith said. "I love pressuring the ball and getting after the other point guard. I score when I get the chance."
Smith is taking advantage of those chances, increasing his scoring average from 8.4 points per game last season to 17.3 points per game this year. He has 14 games with at least 20 points after just one in his first two seasons combined. He is also second on the team in assists (91) and steals (41).
While Duke is embracing its status as a top seed, Smith also knows he shouldn't peek at the bracket.
He's not going to lie, though, saying that it would be a treat to play Louisville in a second-round game if the Blue Devils advance and the Cardinals beat Cal in their opener.
Smith's late father Derek helped the 1980 Cardinals -- the famous Doctors of Dunk -- beat UCLA 59-54 for the NCAA title. He's also credited with popularizing the term "high five" during the 1979-80 basketball season. Derek's Louisville's jersey was retired after he left school ranked second on the all-time scoring list.
During his NBA career, Derek scored over 5,000 points. After his playing career ended, Smith became an assistant coach for the then Washington Bullets. Derek Smith died of an apparent heart attack while on a cruise ship with his family in the Atlantic Ocean, near Bermuda in August 1996. Nolan was 8 years old.Derek Smith was a powerfully built 6-foot-7 swing man, while Nolan is a slender 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard.
Nolan seemed destined to play at Louisville, but Duke had an edge in Johnny Dawkins, the Blue Devils' long-time assistant who was named Stanford's head coach in 2008. Dawkins was one of Derek Smith's old pro teammates and one of his best friends.
Nolan always sees his father when he looks down at the tattoo on his right biceps. The green ink reads "Forever watching." Below that is 4RIP3, and a sketch of his father's face, followed with "Derek Smith 1961-1996."
"I've watched video of my father. Our games are so different. He was so big and strong," Smith said. "[The tattoo] is a tribute to my dad."
Winning a national title with the Blue Devils can be a tribute, too. But Smith knows better. He has eyes and ears.
"This year's team is not thinking of the past or looking ahead," Smith said. "We have high goals this season, but every game's going to be hard and we're just going to do what we've been doing all year."
