Schmidt led the Statesmen to a pair of wins to start of the 2016 season, as DSU downed two Sunshine State Conference opponents. Against Florida Southern, Schmidt shot 55% from the floor and scored a game-high 33 points in a narrow 73-70 win. He also grabbed nine rebounds, dished out three assists, and had two steals. The next day, against Eckerd, Schmidt was again the game’s leading scorer, putting up 37 points, as the Statesmen earned another three-point victory. Nobody else in the game had more than 16 points. Over the two games, Schmidt averaged 35.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Schmidt was a Preseason All-GSC selection and was tabbed the Preseason National Player of the Year by the Division II Bulletin.