NBA Draft 2019: Players who should withdrawal and return to school

2. Vermont – Anthony Lamb

The 6-6 Lamb is one of the more unique players in college basketball. He showcased a complete offensive game last season, shooting 58% from two, 37% from three (50-137), getting to the line at the 38th highest rate in the nation per KenPom, and shooting 76% from the line. He carried the Catamounts’ offense, taking 34.5% of the shots when he was on the floor (12th highest rate in nation).

It would be a lot of fun to see Lamb dominate college basketball again, but to be fair, I’m not sure how much he has left to prove from an individual perspective. In a vacuum, it makes sense that after such an impressive season, Lamb would leave to pursue a professional career. It’s uncertain whether he would be drafted, but even if he chose not to pursue the NBA route, he surely would have plenty of solid opportunities overseas.

But although it makes sense for Lamb individually to leave I REALLY want him to return. This has largely to do with the narrative arc of Vermont over the last few seasons. In 2016-17, Lamb’s freshmen season, 13-seed Vermont lost in the 1st round to Purdue 80-70 in what was a fairly close game throughout.

In 2017-18, the Catamounts suffered a heartbreaking loss in the American East Conference Tournament championship game to a UMBC squad that went on to upset 1-seed Virginia as a 16-seed. This past season, 13-seed Vermont gave Florida State a tough game in the 1st round of the tournament but fell 76-69. The size and athleticism of the Seminoles posed an unfortunate matchup for a mid-major, yet Vermont held its own anyway.

Anthony Lamb and Vermont have been building towards an NCAA Tournament victory over the last few seasons, and it wouldn’t feel right if they weren’t able to finally get one. If Lamb returns, the Catamounts should bring back all of its roster minus one of the Duncan brothers (Ernie). They’d have a solid chance at finally getting that tournament victory.