NCAA Basketball: Breaking down the biggest 2018 NBA Draft decisions
Players affecting potential top 25 teams
The players in this section are key components to potential top 25 teams. In almost all of these cases, losing any of these players will bump their team from projected rankings entirely. Some of the biggest names in this category include:
Charles Matthews SG SO Michigan
With Mortiz Wagner officially leaving for the NBA Draft, Matthews becomes Michigan’s most important player and lone returning double-figure scorer. This long athletic wing could be a second-round pick, but would probably improve his stock with another year in school.
Bryce Brown SG JR, Jared Harper PG SO, Austin Wiley C SO Auburn
Auburn has three players testing the waters and desperately needs at least two of them to return. Multiple key players have already left the program this off-season and Auburn can ill afford to lose any more talent. Brown and Harper had breakout years where they established themselves as All-SEC caliber players.
Bruno Fernando C FR, Kevin Huerter SG SO Maryland
Maryland is a trendy top 25 selection, but they will not even sniff the rankings if Fernando and Huerter leave early. Huerter would be the more impactful departure as he is their best player and is an excellent shooter and scorer. I think both players would get drafted if they stay in.
Quinndary Weatherspoon SG JR Miss St, Tyus Battle SG SO Syracuse
Mississippi State could reasonably be considered a top 20 (or even top 15) squad, but they need Weatherspoon to return. He is their best scorer and overall player. Battle is responsible for much of Syracuse’s offense and losing him would be crushing. Few teams have as much to lose as Syracuse if their star departs and unfortunately it is a strong possibility.
Noah Dickerson PF/C JR Washington, Ethan Happ C JR Wisconsin
These big men are the difference between a top 25 team and bubble team. Happ is more likely to leave, but he is essential to Wisconsin returning to the Big Dance. Washington returns all of their starters from last season’s NIT team and Dickerson is their best player and is a crucial piece to the lineup. Both players are fringe draft picks at this point.
Shelton Mitchell PG JR, Marcquise Reed SG JR Clemson
Clemson had a breakthrough season where they reached the Sweet Sixteen, but to remain nationally relevant they need this backcourt duo to return. Mitchell is a solid floor general while Reed is an athletic scorer. Both players would go undrafted so it is likely that they return. Clemson is borderline Top 25 with Mitchell and Reed.
Jalen Hudson SG JR Florida, Kerwin Roach SG JR Texas, Torin Dorn SG JR NC State
These three wings are important pieces, but their teams have capable replacements if they leave for the NBA Draft. Hudson has the most draft stock, followed by Roach, and Dorn would likely not be selected. These teams do not necessarily need them back, but losing them would lower their ceilings.