NCAA Basketball: Biggest winners from 2020 extended NBA Draft deadline

5. Saint Louis

Travis Ford’s squad was ready to go earlier in the summer when both Hasahn French and Jordan Goodwin withdrew from the NBA Draft to play for the Billikens. The duo caused problems inside all season for opposing A-10 schools, finishing first and second in the conference in double-doubles. French averaged 12.4 points and 10.4 rebounds, while Goodwin went for 15.5 and 10.4. Saint Louis will now return all five starters and their sixth man from a 23 win team that gave Dayton a run for their money twice last season. The Flyers will be competitive again, as will Richmond and Rhode Island, but with their nucleus back, the Billikens look like the team to beat in the A-10.

4. Iowa

The Hawkeyes only had one decision to monitor before August 3rd, it just happened to be the National Player of the Year runner-up Luka Garza. But on Sunday, Garza announced he would be returning to Iowa, putting the Hawkeyes in the national title discussion. Garza put up video game numbers in his junior season, going for 23.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 35% from three. Despite the dominant season, Garza was not seen as a lock to be drafted. Most mock drafts had him outside of the top 60. He was No. 79 on ESPN’s Big Board and outside the top 80 on Sports Illustrated’s. That being said, it felt as if Garza had nothing left to prove in college after being a first-team All-American.

But with Joe Wieskamp electing not to test the draft waters and Jordan Bohannon using his final year of eligibility in Iowa, Garza will have his best team in four years. The Hawkeyes should be an offensive powerhouse and will be one of the top teams in the Big Ten. If Garza can lead Iowa to a Big Ten title and Final Four, while replicating his numbers from last season, then maybe his stock will rise. Garza was the best college player left to make a decision and his return gives Iowa a very high ceiling.