After two late nights in a row, Saint John’s (Minn.) University assistant coach Pat McKenzie was tired.

His Johnnies had lost a tough game in overtime on Nov. 20 and pulled out a thriller the next day, defeating Division II opponent Minnesota State-Moorhead by two points.

The victory happened to be head coach Jim Smith’s 700th win, and though McKenzie was exhausted from two emotional games, Smith had other ideas.

‘Even though he just won his 700th game and we played back-to-back nights, late nights, he just decided, ‘Let’s go have a beer,” said McKenzie, who played for Smith before joining his staff. ‘This is a 75-year-old guy, out well over midnight two nights in a row, and now he wants to go have a beer.’

While McKenzie struggled to stay awake, Smith was just getting started, reeling off what McKenzie called a ‘mini history lesson’ on Saint John’s basketball for the remainder of the evening.

It’s a history that Smith knows quite well, as he has enjoyed 30 winning seasons as the head coach at Saint John’s since his arrival in 1964. He became just the second Division III coach to notch 700 wins.

Smith’s boundless energy, something he attributes to genetics, is what has enabled him to coach season after season.

‘Truthfully, I had not even thought about (the 700th win),’ said Smith. ‘I told my wife, ‘I don’t get what the big deal is. Why isn’t 699 a big deal?’ But, it is a milestone, and it is really about longevity more than anything.’

Smith played four years of college basketball at Marquette and was a graduate assistant with the Golden Eagles for one year. After a three-week stint at the high school level, Smith returned to Marquette when an assistant coaching vacancy opened up.

After serving as Eddie Hickey’s assistant for three seasons, Smith arrived in Collegeville, Minn., and immediately made his presence felt.

For 20 years, Smith served as the athletic director, while also coaching golf, track and field, cross country and junior varsity and varsity men’s basketball. In addition, Smith has taught humanities courses and was an academic counselor.

Such an active tenure has made it impossible for Smith to remember everything he has been a part of.

‘He has created a special culture here,’ junior forward Aaron Burtzel said. ‘He truly cares about each player individually and not just about basketball. He will study with you and just really cares about everyone. His spirit raises you up everyday, and he is just such a great figure.’

A lot has changed since 1964. Smith notes he cannot recognize any of the songs that blare over the speakers during warm-ups, and has been tempted to ask the scoreboard operators to put on Frank Sinatra. However, his passion and genuine love for his players has remained the same.

McKenzie was a point guard at Saint John’s for four seasons following in the footsteps of his father, who also played for Smith.

‘From my dad’s experience, I knew Smitty was a great person and one of those guys you want to be friends with, and have as a role model in your life,’ McKenzie said. ‘It has been just as great working for him.’

Smith’s intensity has never wavered. Though he views himself as a calm coach, Smith jumped up off the bench last season in protest of a call and nailed an assistant coach with his elbow, giving the assistant a bloody nose.

Smith attributes these assistant coaches for making his career possible. He used to coach the junior varsity basketball team and then have to leave the game five minutes early so he could get the varsity team ready.

And though Smith does not think about retirement, he realizes that when the time comes, he will be more than satisfied with the career he has had.

‘When you start thinking about retirement, you are already retired, and I don’t want that yet,’ Smith said. ‘All I know is I feel pretty darn good. It has been a great life and a great run.’

Minnesota at Miami (Fla.)

Wednesday, 7:15 p.m., ESPNU

Just six games into the season, Minnesota has experienced success and disappointment. After knocking off then-No. 12 Butler and jumping to No. 22 in the country, the Golden Gophers fell to Portland and Texas A&M, consecutively.

Minnesota 76, Miami (Fla.) 74

Florida State at No. 15 Ohio State

Wednesday, 9:30 p.m., ESPN2

After an impressive one-point victory over Marquette, Florida State faces its first ranked opponent of the year, as it travels to Columbus to take on No. 15 Ohio State. Led by Evan Turner and David Lighty, the Buckeyes have four players scoring in double digits and have gone on a tear since falling to North Carolina at Madison Square Garden.

Ohio State 81, Florida State 70

No. 11 North Carolina at No. 5 Kentucky

Saturday, 12:30 p.m., CBS

After North Carolina fell to Syracuse by 16 at Madison Square Garden, people wondered if this would be a rebuilding year. Since then, the Tar Heels have won three straight and now face a tough Kentucky team. Rupp Arena will be pumped as the Wildcats’ young but talented backcourt of Eric Bledsoe and John Wall looks to prove it is for real.

Kentucky 89, UNC 83

No. 3 Villanova vs. Maryland

Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net

Though Jay Wright’s Villanova squad is ranked No. 3 in the nation, the Wildcats still have something to prove. After it squeaked by George Mason and then Dayton, it faces an interesting test against Maryland. Led by Greivis Vasquez, the Terrapins look to bounce back after tough losses to Cincinnati and Wisconsin.

Villanova 76, Maryland 65

No. 23 Butler vs. No. 16 Georgetown

Tuesday Dec. 8, 7 p.m.

Butler started the season as the No. 10 ranked team in the nation, but after falling to Minnesota and Clemson, the Bulldogs have fallen to a No. 23 ranking and only have a couple of opportunities to prove themselves against high-profile teams. Georgetown is one of these last chances.

Butler 62, Georgetown 59

restern@syr.edu