NCAA Basketball: Biggest losers from extended 2020 NBA Draft deadline
5. Saint Mary’s
The Gaels were one of the mid-major programs I thought could have done some damage in last season’s NCAA Tournament. Jordan Ford was one of the better lead guards in the country and his partner Malik Fitts was a presence on the wing. Ford graduated but it was expected that Fitts would lead the squad. But Fitts decided to stay in the draft and the Gaels could be in for a rebuilding year.
As a prospect, Fitts is not super enticing to me. He’s already 22 years old, and while he was productive in his three college seasons (one at South Florida, two at St Mary’s), I feel he’s a bit of a tweener at the next level. Defensively, he seems too slow laterally to guard power forwards but too undersized to guard centers. Despite limited upside, I think he’ll be able to shoot and convert around the rim. Fitts likely won’t get drafted but could be an interesting two-way or G-League player.
The Gaels have been a staple in the WCC but could be in for a rebuilding phase with their top three scorers Ford, Fitts, and Tanner Krebs all no longer with the program. Add in a strong Gonzaga, Pepperdine, and San Francisco team and Saint Mary’s could have their lowest WCC finish in a while.
4. Creighton
The Bluejays surprised everybody last year when they finished tied for first place in the Big East behind three-headed monster Marcus Zegarowski, Ty-Shon Alexander, and Mitch Ballock. With Zegarowsk and Ballock returning, Crieghton would have been a top-five team if Alexander returned as well. But the combo guard decided to forego his senior season and go pro.
Alexander is an intriguing prospect that has grown on me throughout the offseason and is a top 60 player for me. He’s an undersized two-guard, but he makes up for it in his defense. He’s a hounding point of attack defender, who uses his speed to cover ground. Nobody in the Big East did a better job defending Myles Powell than Alexander.
Offensively, he’s bumped up his shooting numbers each year, shooting a career-high 39% from three and 86% from deep last year. He’s not a plus creator and needs to improve his handle but can use his speed to get to the rim. Alexander was one of the 60 or so guys who received a definite NBA combine invite, putting him in a good spot.
Even without Alexander, the Bluejays should be a top-15 team next season. Zegarowski and Ballock return with fellow starters Damien Jefferson and Christian Bishop along with sixth man Denzel Mahoney.
Greg McDermott’s prolific offense should be humming again next season, but their perimeter defense without Alexander will take a hit. Villanova brings back a loaded team and will be the favorite in the league, but Creighton will still be the second-best Big East team.