NCAA Basketball: Breaking down the biggest 2018 NBA Draft decisions

Players affecting potential NCAA Tournament teams

The following players need to return to their team to make the NCAA Tournament. The most interesting players will get longer explanations while the remaining players in this category will be listed at the bottom of the slide.

Carsen Edwards SG SO Purdue

Perhaps the biggest college star on this list, Edwards’ return is essential for Purdue as the Boilermakers have lost four senior starters. Edwards can score the ball will the best of them and could help a talented core of young players reach the NCAA Tournament.

Shamorie Ponds SG/PG SO St. John’s, Khyri Thomas SG JR Creighton

These two Big East guards will dramatically change their team’s standings. If either come back, their team will be in that 4-6 range in the conference. If either player leaves, they will likely tumble to 8-9. This is a steep drop and the difference between a very long season and a successful tournament push. I would guess Thomas leaves as he is a guaranteed first rounder and Ponds returns.

Sagaba Konate C SO West Virginia, Jontay Porter PF FR Missouri

Porter and Konate have vastly different skill sets, but are grouped together because of their importance. Konate is one of the best rim protectors in the game and West Virginia needs him to return to avoid finishing in the bottom of the Big 12. Porter is an extremely valuable piece for Missouri who could struggle even he returns. However, without Porter, they could be headed back to the SEC basement.

Jerome Robinson SG JR, Ky Bowman PG SO Boston College

Boston College finally has some momentum, but only if these two return. Robinson has the higher stock and is more likely to leave so Boston College fans should be holding their breaths over the next month.

Kris Wilkes SF FR, Jaylen Hands PG FR UCLA

UCLA has already lost Aaron Holiday to early entry and cannot afford to lose their next best players. Wilkes and Hands could be second-round picks, but strong sophomore campaigns could ensure a first-round selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Other important decisions

Isaac Copeland PF JR Nebraska, James Palmer SG JR Nebraska, Admon Gilder SG JR Texas A&M, Tyler Davis C JR Texas A&M, Esa Ahmad SF JR West Virginia, Jalen McDaniels PF FR San Diego St, Quinton Rose SG SO Temple, Lamonte Bearden PG JR Western Kentucky, Lindell Wiggington SG FR Iowa State.