Conference Breakdown: Key NBA Draft decisions

The deadline to apply for the NBA Draft has come and gone. There are 137 prospects that could forfeit their remaining college eligibility. While some have hired agents, others remain on the fence. May 24 is the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft, but until then, we will have a guessing game as to what the college game will look next season. In this week’s conference rundown, we touch on the programs with the most at stake between now and May 24.

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Louisville has what its takes to cut down the nets next April in Minneapolis. Jaylen Johnson has hired an agent and will not return, and the Cards have two others that have submitted their names for the NBA Draft. For Louisville to contend, Donovan Mitchell will have to return. A first-team All-American candidate, Mitchell is still battling consistency issues. He has also been stuck with the tweener label in the backcourt. By returning to Louisville and showing that he can run his team but also produce more frequently, he could become a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Deng Adel, another potential early entree, is likely to withdraw his name from the draft but if he doesn’t, it makes incoming freshmen Malik Williams and Jordan Nwora that much more important.

The Musketeers went from being on the bubble in the first week of March, to 40 minutes from a Final Four appearance. The catalyst to the run was Trevon Bluiett, a 6-foot-6 small forward, who was one of the bigger breakout performers from the NCAA Tournament. The Indianapolis native threw his name into the NBA Draft, but word out of the 513 is that he will be returning for his senior year. Chris Mack’s program does welcome in one of its best classes in school history, led by top-50 recruits Paul Scruggs and Naji Marshall, but Xavier would like to bring these two future stars along slowly and rely more on the talents of Bluiett. It already lost Edmond Sumner early to the NBA, but losing Bluiett would be the ultimate blow, knocking Xavier out of contention for a league title.

The Boilermakers enjoyed the best season under Matt Painter’s watch and next year could bring even more success if their three early NBA entries return. Caleb Swanigan, the most dominant big man in college ball last season, is likely gone for the league. If he does return, the Boilermakers instantly become national title contenders. The other wildcards in the mix include Isaac Haas, Purdue’s second portion of its twin tower frontcourt, and Vince Edwards, a versatile forward that can make shots. If both opt for the NBA, look for top-60 signee Nojel Eastern to be leaned upon more heavily and Matt Haarms, an original member of the 2017 class that enrolled for the spring semester, to provide length and size on the frontline.

The Baylor Bears return the majority of their roster from last year outside of Ishmail Wainright and Allerick Freeman, the latter deciding to use the grad-transfer option this spring. While Baylor has just one name in the NBA Draft, that name is a big one as Johnathon Motley holds the keys to the season. One of the best big men this past season, Motley doesn’t have a ton to gain by coming back, but the fact that he didn’t play his best down the stretch of the season, which coincided with Scott Drew’s squad suffering a few losses, does throw a wrench into the mix. Baylor has Tristan Clark enrolling and Mark Vital, an explosive athlete that redshirted this past season, to lean on if Motley leaves. But if he doesn’t, the Bears could knock Kansas off its perch atop of the Big 12.

There is still a bevy of questions looming about the Pac-12 for the upcoming season and while Arizona and UCLA have a few of their stars still debating the NBA Draft, each bring in elite recruiting hauls this fall. While USC has captured two four-star prospects, its ability to reload like its league foes is not as great. Bennie Boatwright and Shaqquann Aaron both declared for the draft, but Boatwright has already pulled out, which is huge boost for USC. That leaves Aaron, a versatile forward that can defend three positions and is the ultimate utility knife. Boatwright’s return will have the Trojans in the upper third of the league. Aaron, a Louisville transfer, could push them into Pac-12 title consideration.

Mike Anderson was finally able to get his alma mater back into the NCAA Tournament thanks to its spree of wins in February. The next step for his program is to consistently push for an SEC title, but that idea could get thrown out the door if Daryl Macon and Jaylen Barford keep their names in the draft. The Hogs will lose Moses Kingsley in the post, but Arkansas does have the ideal replacement coming in with top-50 big man Daniel Gafford. While it also brings in freshmen Darious Hall and Kahlil Garland, replacing both Macon and Barford will not be an easy task. With the two seniors returning, Arkansas could be wearing its white uniforms in the first round of the tournament next March; if they don't, the Hogs could be competing in the NIT.