January 7, 2014 – Howard Practice Facility
Three days after the Alabama loss, Michael Schmidt had already turned the page.
Sort of.
He was still in the gym at 6:00 a.m. Still running wind sprints on his own. Still replaying every mistake in his head like a broken record.
But this time, he had a plan.
Coach Beasley walked in mid-morning to find Michael drilling mid-range pull-ups with two assistant coaches playing full-contact defense.
Beasley didn't interrupt. He just watched. Then nodded once and left.
[System Notification: Efficiency Metrics Rising][Template Progress: 74.02% → 74.35%][Consistency Bonus Activated – Sustained Performance Will Accelerate Growth Temporarily]
Michael wiped sweat from his chin.
"Then let's sustain it."
January 10 – Howard vs. VCU
A gritty, fast-paced matchup.
Michael didn't try to score 40. He just picked them apart.
Precision cuts. Hit-ahead passes. Defensive rotations called out two steps ahead.
Final stat line:
21 points
10 assists
4 rebounds
4 steals
0 turnovers
Howard won by 17.
January 15 – Howard @ Temple
Temple had size. Experience. A top-15 defense.
Michael dismantled it.
Backdoor cuts that sliced open their zone. Fadeaways over taller wings. And a defensive presence that rattled their point guard into four first-half turnovers.
Final score: Howard 78 – Temple 66
Michael's line:
28 points
6 assists
7 rebounds
2 blocks
3 steals
[System Notification: High-Level Back-to-Back Detected][Template Progress: 74.35% → 74.91%][Next Trait Unlock at 75.00%]
Michael sat down postgame, towel draped around his shoulders, when the system pinged again.
[Trait Unlock Approaching – 'Post Scoring Package II']
[Legacy Recognition Tier: Regional Authority Established – National Narrative Building in Progress]
He exhaled slowly.
For the first time since the Alabama loss, he smiled.
Just a little.
On the way back to campus, Jamal nudged him on the team bus.
"You good, King?"
Michael gave him a look.
"I will be when we don't lose again."
And from that point on, Howard didn't lose for the rest of January.
They climbed to 18–1. Michael's averages rose.
And the draft boards? They finally adjusted.
#1 pick: Michael Schmidt – Howard – SG/SF – 6'9" – 214 lbs