NBA Draft

[BEhomer]

Reports indicate that Whitehead performed well the past couple of days and likely moved himself up (or onto) draft boards.

I've always thought he was a 1rd guy. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he climbs to the teens. Looking more and more like he's gone.

[Clovis]

Bentil's showing at the Combine certainly increases his chances of remaining in the draft....

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-s ... t-combine/

“I’m really looking forward to the pre-draft process because I feel like I have a lot to prove,” Bentil told Basketball Insiders last month. “I feel like I’m one of the best players in the country right now. I want to show everyone what I’ve got and see where I’m at [on draft boards].”

Those were some strong words, but Bentil absolutely backed them up at the Combine. Not only did the 21-year-old hold his own during the event’s five-on-five games, he was widely regarded as one of the most impressive players in Chicago after wowing teams with his well-rounded game.

As of now, the 21-year-old is just testing the waters, meaning he can still pull out of the draft since he hasn’t hired an agent. However, the likelihood of Bentil returning to the Friars for his junior season seems pretty slim after his excellent showing at the Combine.

[DudeAnon]

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Und ... wings-5482

"Players like Ben Bentil, Cheick Diallo, Jaron Blossomgame, Chinanu Onuaku, Pascal Siakam took full advantage of that with strong performances at the NBA Combine, which sets them up nicely to make a decision from a position of strength at the deadline on May 25th. "

"Here are some players who will likely strongly need to consider returning to school (or taking alternative routes through professional basketball) now after up and down performances at the NBA Combine:

Josh Hart: Hart is a gritty competitor and played a huge role in Villanova's NCAA Tournament Championship run, but he doesn't have an NBA-level skill at this stage of his development. He can straight line slash a bit, but with average physical tools and a very shaky jump shot, Hart could definitely use more time at Villanova to hone his skills and find a way to impact the game on the offensive end.

Isaiah Whitehead: The Seton Hall sophomore combo guard may have the strongest case of any of the players on this list to actually stay in the draft, as there are some NBA teams who do like him. Unfortunately there are just as many who don't consider him a serious draft prospect at this stage, which could put him in a precarious position on draft night if things don't fall his way. Whitehead's lack of athleticism is a hindrance at this stage considering how heavily he relies on mid-range stepbacks for production, and his jump-shot, playmaking and overall decision making is just too inconsistent at this stage. He did display much better intensity on defense at the Combine than he had in college so far. Barring some outstanding workouts, Whitehead would likely get picked somewhere in the second round at best based on the feedback we received from NBA teams, but that may be enough for him to stay in the draft. "

[Jet915]

Getting 2 of 3 in regards to Bentil, Hart and Whitehead to come back would be a win IMO. I personally think Hart and Whitehead are the most important. Hart makes Nova a championship contender while Whitehead makes Hall a NCAA second weekend team. Bentil coming back makes PC a bubble team at best IMO.

[Edrick]

From the majority of the stuff that I have read on Twitter, mostly, Id bet Bentil and Whitehead remain in the Draft and Hart returns to VU.

[hoyahooligan]

I think Bentil and Whitehead are gone. Whitehead definitely. I also don't think the conference has anything left to prove that we need wins. We can drop the comraderie stuff now. We don't need to pull for one another anymore we've proven ourselves as a conference.

[ChestRockwell85]

I think Bentil and Whitehead are gone. Whitehead definitely. I also don't think the conference has anything left to prove that we need wins. We can drop the comraderie stuff now. We don't need to pull for one another anymore we've proven ourselves as a conference.

You're welcome.

In all seriousness though, granted Villanova won the NC, but in doing so, Villanova is the only team from the New Big East who has gotten past the Sweet 16 so far. If you ask me, we have done well as a conference, but we still have a way to go. If Villanova had not made it past the Sweet 16, you would still be hearing Villanova can't get it done in the tournament and the whole Big East still is far from impressive in March. Granted Villanova got a HUGE monkey off it's back and did so in impressive fashion we still need 2 or 3 teams in the Sweet 16 every year before we've truly proven ourselves as a conference.

Big East fans know we have something special, and Villanova certainly helped the cause this year, but the rest of the college basketball world is still taking shots at us every chance they get.

[handdownmandown]

He's discreetly telling us it's OK to not have to hide the distaste many have for the pompousness of some fans of...certain schools.

That's all.

[Clovis]

Bentil signed with an agent.

[DudeAnon]

I think Bentil and Whitehead are gone. Whitehead definitely. I also don't think the conference has anything left to prove that we need wins. We can drop the comraderie stuff now. We don't need to pull for one another anymore we've proven ourselves as a conference.

Ironic you would say this because Georgetown has done nothing to help the league.