NCAA Basketball: 10 teams with most to lose with 2023 NBA Draft moves

NCAA Basketball: 10 teams with most to lose with pending 2023 NBA Draft decisions

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 10: Boo Buie #0 of the Northwestern Wildcats reacts after scoring against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

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Northwestern’s Chase Audige 221204 Msu Northwestern Bball 124a /

4. Northwestern Wildcats

Players to watch: Boo Buie and Chase Audige

A year ago, the thought of both Buie and Audige leaving the program probably wouldn’t have been a big deal. But Northwestern’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament in 2024 likely hinge on what both of them do in the NBA Draft process.

Each of them had breakout years as seniors, particularly Buie. He led the Wildcats this past season with 17.3 ppg and 4.5 apg and made the All-Big Ten team. That includes 14 games of at least 20 points, including a career-high 35 against Illinois. Buie was the go-to scorer and came through for them many times.

Audige wasn’t too bad either. He was second on the team with 14.1 ppg and 2.9 apg and was an all-conference defender. He had five games with at least 20 points, including 28 versus DePaul in the non-conference. Audige has never been the most efficient guy but his two-way play was key for the Wildcats to compete in the Big Ten.

In case they left, Northwestern did land a pair of transfers in Ryan Langborg and Justin Mullins. But that would be a big downgrade for a program that struggles to be NCAA Tournament-good on a yearly basis. Their decisions could singlehandedly decide the at-large hopes for the Wildcats.

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