Other teams' 2020 draft decisions

[scottdude8]

In another sad indication of where we are, its about time that we start this thread

Two important decisions appear to have been made in the past few days. Perhaps most consequentially, Obi Toppin is expected to go pro. This shouldn't be a big surprise considering he could be a Top-3 pick, but its sad that Dayton will never get to see what a Toppin led team could do in the NCAA Tourney.

Of more interest to Duke fans is that Armando Bacot is reportedly returning for his sophomore year. Again, not hugely surprising considering his struggles as a freshman (thanks Coach Roy!), but as we've all learned by now freshman struggles don't necessarily translate into staying in college when you were a 5* recruit. Next year's UNC frontcourt will be DEEP, but it'll be interesting to see how Ol' Roy manages those minutes. At minimum he seems stuck playing a traditional "two-big" lineup, which we've seen in recent years can be exploited on the defensive end. Keeping that team off the offensive glass, though, is going to be a major challenge.

If/when more news on this front arrives, let's put it here!

[SavDukeGrad]

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to put players from other teams that enter the transfer portal, but Landers Nolley from Va Tech has entered the transfer portal. He was the best player on that team, made the ACC All-Freshman team, and was honorable mention on the All-ACC team. He was a holdover from Buzz Williams but never seemed to be a good fit in Mike Young’s system. He started the year very strong, but his productivity declined throughout the season.

[dm9e24]

In another sad indication of where we are, its about time that we start this thread

Two important decisions appear to have been made in the past few days. Perhaps most consequentially, Obi Toppin is expected to go pro. This shouldn't be a big surprise considering he could be a Top-3 pick, but its sad that Dayton will never get to see what a Toppin led team could do in the NCAA Tourney.

Of more interest to Duke fans is that Armando Bacot is reportedly returning for his sophomore year. Again, not hugely surprising considering his struggles as a freshman (thanks Coach Roy!), but as we've all learned by now freshman struggles don't necessarily translate into staying in college when you were a 5* recruit. Next year's UNC frontcourt will be DEEP, but it'll be interesting to see how Ol' Roy manages those minutes. At minimum he seems stuck playing a traditional "two-big" lineup, which we've seen in recent years can be exploited on the defensive end. Keeping that team off the offensive glass, though, is going to be a major challenge.

If/when more news on this front arrives, let's put it here!

I would have loved to have had a secondary freshman big man that struggled to get 11 double doubles this year. I don't think that was achieved by Hurt, who not only was rated higher than Bacot coming in, but didn't play for Roy. I wish we would have not fallen in love with Isiah Stewart and maybe he would have had those 11 doublers doubles at Duke and coming back to pair with Mark Williams next year
And yes, unc's front court is loaded, especially if pre-season first team candidate Garrison Brooks returns, with a pass first point guard.

[scottdude8]

A couple of announcements in the “no surprise” category came last night: projected lottery picks Anthony Edwards (Georgia) and Isaac Okoro (Auburn) are at minimum testing the waters.

[scottdude8]

Things may be starting to pick up in this department. FSU is losing Devin Vassel: https://twitter.com/goodmanhoops/sta...744323081?s=21

[JasonEvans]

Things may be starting to pick up in this department. FSU is losing Devin Vassel: https://twitter.com/goodmanhoops/sta...744323081?s=21

Big deal for FSU, though not surprising. He was an absolute stud for them this year. I thought he was a better ACC POY contender than Jordan Nwora. FSU returns a lot but missing Vassel and senior Trent Forrest (he had been there since the Bush administration, I think) will hurt a lot. Those two were the heart and soul of the best FSU team in a generation.

[CDu]

Big deal for FSU, though not surprising. He was an absolute stud for them this year. I thought he was a better ACC POY contender than Jordan Nwora. FSU returns a lot but missing Vassel and senior Trent Forrest (he had been there since the Bush administration, I think) will hurt a lot. Those two were the heart and soul of the best FSU team in a generation.

While Vassell leaving hurts, they do still bring in Scottie Barnes (top-5 recruit). I think the bigger concern is that they lose Forrest. They don't currently have a PG at the moment, and Scottie Barnes is the only shot creator they appear to have next year.

I wouldn't be shocked if Patrick Williams goes pro too. If so, they take a giant step back. Because while they return a ton of guys (only 2 seniors), I think the guys that mattered were Forrest, Vassell, and (to a lesser extent) Williams.

[Jaks19]

Didn't Patrick enter the transfer portal?

[CDu]

Didn't Patrick enter the transfer portal?

Not that I have seen.

[scottdude8]

Didn't Patrick enter the transfer portal?

A quick google search reveals ZERO reporting, let alone speculation,a bout Patrick Williams transferring. Let that be the end of that.

[grad_devil]

Didn't Patrick enter the transfer portal?

Not that I have seen.

A quick google search reveals ZERO reporting, let alone speculation,a bout Patrick Williams transferring. Let that be the end of that.

As of today, Patrick isn't currently listed in the transfer portal.

[brevity]

CBS Sports: Michigan State's Xavier Tillman announces he will test draft waters

Underclassmen have the opportunity to test the draft process while retaining their eligibility and have until June 15 to either stay in the draft or withdraw and return to school.

You can read Tillman's tweet here.

[scottdude8]

CBS Sports: Michigan State's Xavier Tillman announces he will test draft waters



You can read Tillman's tweet here.

Beat me to it! I’d argue this is the first somewhat unexpected decision thus far. If Tillman leaves, MSU night not be a Top 25 team to start the year next season, unless they get some help on the grad transfer market.

Please let Tillman leave.

[arnie]

Beat me to it! I’d argue this is the first somewhat unexpected decision thus far. If Tillman leaves, MSU night not be a Top 25 team to start the year next season, unless they get some help on the grad transfer market.

Please let Tillman leave.

And our first game in November (hopefully) will be against MSU. Chalk it up now?

[PackMan97]

Cole Anthony announces he will not make an announcement. ESPN articles has a good LOL line in it.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...t-announcement

The five-star recruit averaged 18.5 points and four assists despite missing a significant chunk of the season following knee surgery. But his production couldn't save the Tar Heels from their first losing season under Roy Williams. The team finished 14-19 and likely would have ended the year without a postseason invitation.

Ya think...?

[Dukehk]

Cole Anthony announces he will not make an announcement. ESPN articles has a good LOL line in it.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...t-announcement



Ya think...?

Wow..is he seriously thinking of coming back?

Unbelievable how roy does this to every first round/lotto/top 3 projected pick.

[CDu]

Wow..is he seriously thinking of coming back?

Unbelievable how roy does this to every first round/lotto/top 3 projected pick.

Nah, he's going. He said he's delaying his announcement until the virus calms down out of respect for the NYC community (which is where he's from and where the virus is hitting hard). His implication is that it doesn't feel right to him to announce his decision while all this other stuff is going on.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Nah, he's going. He said he's delaying his announcement until the virus calms down out of respect for the NYC community (which is where he's from and where the virus is hitting hard). His implication is that it doesn't feel right to him to announce his decision while all this other stuff is going on.

Don't you make me respect you, Cole.

[UrinalCake]

"Making an announcement at this time would be in poor taste, therefore I am announcing that I will not make an announcement."

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

"Making an announcement at this time would be in poor taste, therefore I am announcing that I will not make an announcement."

Thanks! That helps