There's a pretty solid theory that I subscribe to in determining which college basketball teams have the potential to win a national championship. The theory is that a national championship team should have at least 3 players on the roster that will end up in the NBA at some point. It does not necessarily mean they'll be in the NBA the immediate following year, but rather they will be in the NBA at some point in the future. If you look back over the past several years this theory holds true for almost every championship team. If you look at Ohio State's recent basketball rosters we have had anywhere from 2-4 players on each team since the Oden, conley class that ended up being NBA guys at some point. My question is two part, first: which players on our current rosters do people see as being potential NBA guys, not necessarily stars but at least landing on an NBA roster at some point. Second, looking around the country, which teams this year do people think have at least 3 guys which NBA futures?
My thoughts: Deshaun is obvious NBA talent and Laquinton has NBA game in his future. Finding the third on our roster is a bit tougher. Maybe Craft if he develops more offensive game or if a team wants him as a second round guy as a defensive wunderkind. Maybe shannon scott if he blossoms his senior year running the team without Craft around? Or maybe Amir if he continues to develop and an NBA team wants to give a 7 footer a look.
As for teams in the country w/ 3 NBA guys: I haven't watched all the top teams play this year but IU definitely has at least 3 NBA guys in zeller, watford, and oladipo not to mention some of their heralded freshman will probably get their in the future. Louisville also probably has 3 in Dieng, behanan, and siva. Duke w/ plumlee, curry, and maybe Kelly or the Freshman Sulaimon. I'm sure there are plenty of other, would love to hear everyone's thoughts
DT, Q and if there was a 3rd and in a few years maybe Shannon Scott. As far as Indiana, I think Zeller is the only one who will be in the NBA besides their frosh PG.
I forgot about Kentucky, they've probably got 3 or 4 first rounders on their roster this year again
With Craft's ability to play such great defense and force turnovers it wouldn't surprise me if he gets drafted in the 2nd round after next season. Craft still has work to do on his offensive game but has solid size to potentially be a back up PG in the NBA.
Really after like the top 20 picks, teams don't really care and start drafting players that are either from over seas that they'll just keep their or other players that they'll send over. If Buford didn't get drafted, it'll be hard for anyone outside of DT to get drafted IMO, unless Q can keep improving.