It's a big day for college hoops
Tonight's the NCAA deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA Draft. Seems like the perfect time to launch the revamped Field of 68 newsletter.
The Field of 68 just got better.
It’s always been the podcast destination for college basketball insights, analysis, coach interviews, and updates on John Fanta’s love affair with the Big East. Now it’ll also arrive in your inbox five times a week with the Field of 68 Daily, our revamped newsletter.
It’ll cover the latest news, provide exclusive Q&As with coaches and players, spotlight college hoops history, provide a daily diversion (or two) and highlight some of the best writing on the web. Perhaps best of all, the Field of 68 Daily will showcase some of the sport’s promising young writers, including Riley Davis, Tristan Freeman, Sean Paul and Greg Waddell, along with an occasional appearance from Rob Dauster (he promises to not write 1,500 words on UConn every week) and key input from Jeff Goodman, like today’s Q&A with Illinois coach Brad Underwood.
So check your email every morning. And if you haven’t subscribed yet, click that button.
Let's get to Wednesday's news.
THE STARTING FIVE
1. Should they stay or should they go?
It’s decision day for about 40 men’s college basketball players. They have until 11:59 pm ET to decide if they want to remain in the NBA Draft or return to school.
Few — if any — of the players are projected as first-round picks, meaning they don’t know if a guaranteed contract awaits them. Thus, the difficulty of a decision.
Julian Strawther isn’t even the only Gonzaga player still weighing options. Two-time All-America Drew Timme has yet to announce if his smooth footwork and luscious mustache will be back in Spokane for his senior season.
Other notable players (full updated list here) whose Twitter/Instagram feeds will be closely watched today include:
Trevor Keels (Duke)
Jalen Wilson & Kevin McCullar (Kansas)
Marcus Sasser (Houston)
Caleb Houstan & Moussa Diabate (Michigan)
David Roddy (Colorado State)
Jules Bernard (UCLA)
Justin Lewis (Marquette)
Isaiah Wong (Miami)
Two months ago, it seemed unlikely any of these players would be seriously considering staying in the draft. With NIL deals available and big seasons ahead — both individually and for their teams — another year would be a safe decision. But hey, when your goal is to be a professional basketball player and you get promising feedback, you listen.
And sometimes, you surprise people with your decision. (Or it may be the least surprising thing you’ve heard all month.) Tomorrow, we’ll break down the decisions made today.
2. The cupboard isn’t bare in Spokane
Gonzaga may still be waiting on Timme and Strawther to make a decision, but it did get one piece of important news: Guard Rasir Bolton is returning for his super senior season.
Bolton said Tuesday that NIL wasn’t a factor in his return, though he’s certainy going to benefit from an NIL deal or two. In his first season in Spokane, Bolton connected on 46% of his 3s (ranking 18th among DI players) and averaged 11.2 ppg. His speed and experience will be valuable for Mark Few’s squad, which is reportedly the favorite to land Chattanooga transfer guard Malachi Smith.
The Zags could go small with a backcourt of Bolton, Smith and sophomore Hunter Sallis around incoming LSU transfer Efton Reid. And if Timme and/or Strawther do stay for another season, expect the Zags to be a Top 10 mainstay all season.
3. When the first round isn’t enough
N.C. State freshman Terquavion Smith performed well enough at last week’s NBA Draft combine that he was projected as a first-round pick, usually a sign that a player is done with college because of the guaranteed contract.
Smith said nah. From ESPN:
“My agent explained to me that teams as high as the late teens, through the rest of the first round, all have me ranked as a first-round talent. It's exciting to hear that. But I told him I have more work to do. I like school and my college in particular.”
The 6-4 guard was an ACC All-Rookie selection and snagged honorable mention honors after his freshman year averages of 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists for a moribund Wolfpack squad that only won 4 ACC games.
Could Smith mimic what Jaden Ivey or Johnny Davis did, and play his way into the 2023 NBA Draft lottery? He’s the early favorite.
4. Dalen Terry stays in the NBA Draft
This was not what Arizona wanted to see.
Dalen Terry could’ve had a monster sophomore season. As perhaps the best “glue guy” in 2021-22, he did a little of everything for the Wildcats — an efficient scorer, underrated passer and rebounder, all while checking the opponent’s top perimeter player.
But it seems the NBA already loves him. At 6-7 with a 7-1 wingspan and a decent perimeter stroke (he made 36% of shots beyond the arc), Terry looks like an NBA player. How quickly his game transitions to the pros will be the question.
5. Tough Tuesday for Arizona
Losing Terry wasn’t the only hit Arizona took on Tuesday. Washington State transfer Efe Abogidi (he’d reportedly considered Zona) is probably off to the G-League, while 5-star prospect Leonard Miller — who reportedly was leaning toward the Cats — is skipping college.
From On3.com:
My lifelong dream has been to play basketball at the highest level, and I’ve been fortunate to have had a number of amazing people in my life that have helped me pursue that dream.
After getting feedback from going through the NBA Draft process up to this point, I have decided to take the next step in that journey and move forward in the professional process.
The 6-11 big man now has until June 13 to remain in the draft or sign with G-League Ignite. He would’ve been a nice addition to Tommy Lloyd’s squad, which is losing 3 players to the pros, including big man Christian Koloko. Now it places an even bigger onus on Azuolas Tubelis and incoming Estonian 7-footer Henri Veesaar.
DID YOU SEE THIS?
Kadodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu has bounce
From the Field of 68’s Instagram, this slow-mo video of Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu is mesmerizing. Just watch what Memphis’ new 6-9 sophomore can do.
I assume he left a quarter up there for safekeeping. (And be sure to follow The Field of 68 on Instagram.)
ICYMI
Back to School
We’ll see more news today, but these guys decided college was the play for 2022-23:
Kentucky senior Jacob Toppin is back and will likely move into a starting role
USC junior guard Boogie Ellis, who started all 33 games for the Trojans
Daylen Kountz — who put up 21.2 ppg last season while hitting 42% of his 3s — is going back to North Colorado
BJ Mack averaged 16.5 ppg last season and is returning to Wofford
DeMarr Langford, a 6-5 sophomore, is headed back to Boston College
Harrison Ingram wanted another year at Stanford
FOUR QUESTIONS
Brad Underwood’s preferred drink in the summer heat
What’s ahead for Illinois? Kofi Cockburn is gone. No Trent Frazier or Andre Curbelo. Alfonso Plummer, Da’Monte Williams and now Jacob Grandison, all out of Brad Underwood’s program after a 23-10 season and a regular-season Big Ten title.
Well, Underwood reloaded.
There are four incoming 4-star recruits — led by point guard Skyy Clark — and two impact transfers in Matthew Mayer and Terrence Shannon, both of whom could be All-Big Ten. It’s no wonder Underwood could relax a little bit and answer Four Questions with Jeff Goodman.
Q: How different do you see the Illinois playing next season?
Brad Underwood: “The Illini will play faster. Forward-dominated team with open paint. Think Boston Celtics!”
Q: How much of a game-changer is NIL with the transfer portal?
Brad Underwood: “Huge change in how we build and maintain our programs. Directly impacts education and graduation. NIL is great for kids who have been in the program and built a brand.”
Q: What’s your favorite summer beverage?
Brad Underwood: “Tito’s and lemonade. No, make that water.”
Q: You are stranded on a deserted island either with Bob Huggins or Frank Martin. Who are you choosing and why?
Brad Underwood: “Huggs because he knows how to fish. Frank can’t bait a hook. Would starve with Francisco.”
Underwood is 94-66 in five seasons at Illinois.
2022 NBA DRAFT
The draft’s most underrated player
So what do NBA teams see in Dalen Terry? He certainly shows promise, but there’s much more than that. On the Field of 68’s YouTube channel, Randolph Childress and Jeff Goodman explain why Terry’s ability to defend, shoot and pass will make him an impact player in the NBA.
Watch for yourself.
If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Field of 68 on YouTube.
THE FAST BREAK
Links while you decide if you want to see Top Gun: Maverick for the third time.
Gonzaga and Baylor announced a Dec. 2 neutral-court game in Sioux Falls, S.D., which could be a Top 10 matchup. A pity it’s not at the Corn Palace.
What’s it like suddenly stepping into Jay Wright’s shoes? The Athletic runs down Kyle Neptune’s first few weeks on the job at Villanova.
Rocket Watts is returning to the state of Michigan after an injury-plagued season at Mississippi State. But it’s not a Big Ten destination.
John Calipari hired K.T. Turner, Oklahoma’s associate head coach. Per Kyle Tucker, Calipari wanted a player-development specialist with Texas recruiting ties.
The Mark Emmert stories remind me of the Saturday Night Live oral history that came out a few years ago. To paraphrase: They all hated Chevy Chase. That’s Mark Emmert.
Memphis is crowd-sourcing its new court design. In related news, we’re open to new logo ideas. DM Rob Dauster.
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