Seven Kentucky guys departed Lexington, and three Duke freshmen bolted Durham after cutting down the nets. Caris LeVert decided to return to Michigan for his senior season, and Utah 7-footer Jakob Poeltl also decided to come back to school.
The NBA draft early eligibility deadline comes Sunday night, and there are still a few key players who have yet to publicly make their intentions known. The biggest looming decisions:
Hield is a fringe first-round pick, and if he comes back to Norman, Lon Kruger and the Sooners will have a chance to challenge for one of the top spots in the Big 12 and go deep in the NCAA tournament next season. Hield (17.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG) is a tremendous all-around player and would team with Isaiah Cousins, Ryan Spangler and Jordan Woodard again to give OU a shot to compete for the Big 12 title.
Tyrone Wallace, California Golden Bears
The Bears will add talented local big man Ivan Rabb, and they bring back Jabari Bird and Jordan Mathews. Wallace, a long point guard who averaged 17.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and four assists per game, is making his decision on Thursday afternoon, and all signs point to him returning to Berkeley. Cuonzo Martin may have the best starting group in the Pac-12 if Wallace does elect to return. (UPDATE: Wallace announced Thursday he would return to Cal for 2015-16).
Yogi Ferrell and James Blackmon Jr., Indiana Hoosiers
In talking to NBA folks, Blackmon is actually higher on their boards than Ferrell. If both return to Bloomington, Tom Crean has a team that’s a lock for the preseason Top 25 -- maybe even a squad that’s capable of winning the Big Ten. Ferrell is the key, though, because the Hoosiers won’t be able to replace his talent and experience at the point. Crean has also added a talented big man in incoming freshman Thomas Bryant, so IU could go in with a core group of Ferrell, Blackmon, Troy Williams and Bryant. That’s formidable. (UPDATE: Blackmon announced Thursday he would return to Indiana for 2015-16).
Stanley Johnson, Arizona Wildcats
This one baffles me in terms of what’s taken so long. Those around the Arizona program feel the freshman wing is headed to the NBA, and while his stock has dropped a bit, he’s still likely a top 10-ish pick. Arizona lost T.J. McConnell to graduation, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Brandon Ashley early to the NBA. It looks like big man Kaleb Tarczewski is returning for his senior season, and the Wildcats have a stellar freshman class, so the return of Johnson would be huge for Sean Miller. But I just don’t see it happening.
The Friars' point guard is leaning towards returning to school, but nothing is 100 percent just yet. There are plenty of NBA guys who feel that Dunn could wind up working his way into the 15 range in the next couple of months if he does decide to leave school. If he elects to return, it gives Ed Cooley the best player in the Big East, and also keeps the Friars relevant -- even with the loss of Ladontae Henton.
Alex Poythress, Kentucky Wildcats
The athletic 'tweener forward went down with a knee injury in mid-December, and while it’s widely assumed he will be back in Lexington for his senior season, there’s been no decision yet. Poythress would give what will be a young Kentucky team experience and leadership next year. The 6-foot-8 Poythress averaged 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, but could have an expanded role -- depending on who else John Calipari adds in terms of late signees or transfers.
Isaiah Taylor, Texas Longhorns
Rick Barnes is out and Shaka Smart is in, and now the question becomes whether Taylor sticks around. The team’s starting point guard missed about a month last season with a wrist injury, and isn’t considered a first-round pick by most NBA guys, so I’m not sure what the holdup is for him coming back to school. Texas would certainly have an opportunity to be an NCAA tournament team if Taylor comes back, and he’d have a chance to boost his stock for the next level. Smart’s fast-paced style could also be ideal for the speedy Taylor.
Shawn Long, UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
The 6-foot-9 big man initially signed with Mississippi State, and spent one semester in Starkville before transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette. He’s averaged a double-double in all three of his campaigns under Bob Marlin, and NBA guys are well aware of him. He’s likely a second-round pick, but would place the Ragin’ Cajuns as the team to beat in the Sun Belt if he returns for his final season.