NCAA Basketball: Updated early top-25 rankings for 2021-22 after NBA Draft deadline

Michigan State usually goes through a couple of key NBA Draft decisions each offseason concerning its top players. Instead, it was relatively quiet for the program, as Aaron Henry, who led the team with 15.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 3.6 apg last season, made it clear he was staying in the NBA Draft.

He was really the only guy good enough to be in the draft conversation, as no one else averaged double figures in scoring last season. However, there was some roster movement going on, especially in the backcourt. The lead guard experiment with Foster Loyer and Rocket Watts didn’t work and both of them transferred to Davidson and Mississippi State respectively.

In their place is Northeastern transfer Tyson Walker, who averaged 18.8 ppg and 4.8 apg and was also the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year. Also joining is five-star shooting guard prospect Max Christie, along with top-60 freshmen Jaden Akins and Pierre Brooks.

The key remains in the frontcourt, which was even more a collective disappointment than in the backcourt. Stretch forward Joey Hauser looks to rebound after a hot-and-cold campaign, while  Marcus Bingham, Jr., Julius Marble, and Malik Hall return as well. Former top-30 center prospect Mady Sissoko will have the most pressure on him to break out at the five-spot on both ends. If he does, then Walker won’t have to do so much next season.