"It feels good... feels good to get it under your belt."

Braden Smith shows up early to the media scrum. Usually we're left sitting around waiting for players and coaches to fit us in between practice, classes, and to be honest, anything that seems more fun than talking to a bunch of middle-aged people with pens. (Okay, iphones, not sure I've seen actual notes being taken.)

But there Smith is, ready to go just a little after 1:00, with practice ahead of him at 2:00.