Small College Basketball Release
SEWARD, Neb. – In recognition of their decorated collegiate careers, Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball stars Noah Schutte and Tristan Smith were named to the Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List on Saturday (Feb. 1). The watch list includes 25 men’s basketball student-athletes and was selected by the National Awards Committee and Small College Basketball. Concordia has the unique distinction of being the only men’s basketball program with two players chosen to the watch list.
The Trevor Hudgins Award is presented annually by the Small College Basketball organization to the senior (or graduate student) who has had the finest overall career in college basketball outside of the NCAA Division I level. According to the organization, the criteria includes overall career statistics and achievements, team achievements, awards and personal character. The player must play his entire career within “Small College Basketball.”
A two-time First Team All-GPAC honoree and 2023-24 NAIA Third Team All-American, Schutte became Concordia’s all-time leading scorer this season. Through 23 games in 2024-25, Schutte is averaging 16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 59.0 percent from the floor, 34.9 percent from 3-point range and 75.9 percent from the foul line. Over 138 career games as a Bulldog, Schutte (Laurel, Neb.) has tallied 2,203 points, 885 rebounds, 256 assists and 95 steals. In addition to ranking No. 1 on the program’s all-time points list, Schutte ranks third in school history for career rebounds.
A First Team All-GPAC award winner as a junior, Smith has elevated to another level as a senior. Through 23 games in 2024-25, Smith is averaging 20.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. The Elizabeth, Colo., native leads all GPAC players with a field goal percentage of 70.9. In 102 career games, Smith has totaled 1,360 points, 653 rebounds, 200 assists, 116 blocked shots and 102 steals. He has been named a GPAC Player of the Week four times this season.
Schutte and Smith were also named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List by Small College Basketball on Jan. 15. For more details on that recognition, click HERE.