NCAA Basketball: Biggest losers from extended 2020 NBA Draft deadline

3. Michigan State

The Spartans had two 50/50 draft decisions with Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman. Both players waited until Saturday and while Henry did elect to return, Tillman (the better of the two) made the decision to stay in the NBA Draft.

Tillman is one of my favorite prospects. He’s grown incrementally in his three college seasons. Last season he was one of the most productive players in college basketball posting the highest BPM in the sport at +12.6 He’s one of three NCAA players this century to average 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He’s the best passing big man in the draft, thriving in the pick-and-roll. He’s a brilliant player that be in an NBA rotation for a long time.

Henry’s decision to return did not come as much of a surprise. The wing had a bit of a disappointing sophomore year, as he lacked consistency. He’s a presence on defense but offensively never found a role. He lacks ball-handling skills and his jumper needs reworking. At Michigan State this upcoming season, he’ll have a lot more opportunity to showcase whatever on-ball skills he has.

With Tillman, the Spartans would have been a top ten team. But without him, I think they’ll be in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. No team in America lost a more productive two players than Tom Izzo’s crew. The Spartans will rely on sophomore Rocket Watts and freshman AJ Hoggard to run the offense next season and I don’t trust either.

Then they’ll need a large leap from Henry or Malik Hall and freshman center Maddy Sissoko to anchor the defense. Maybe selling a Tom Izzo team is a terrible idea, and I do think the future is bright for the Spartans, but after losing Tillman I am selling them this year.