Quote Originally Posted by Dawg61 View Post
Idk I've got a bad feeling about it. All signs are pointing to him getting 17ed on draft night. Jamont Gordon went totally undrafted after three straight years of All-SEC play. I feel much worse about Newman's chances than I did about Gordon's. Let me be perfectly clear here too. I'm not saying this to be selfish so he'll play for MSU next year because I think we'll be just fine without him and maybe even better after seeing who gets his scholarship. A grad transfer PF for example would really help this team. Losing a quality guard doesn't hurt as much as gaining a quality grad transfer PF helps. Newman has a LOT he needs to work on. He might need two more years not just one. I just would feel really shitty about all of this if we can't prevent a disaster from happening. Newman not going in the 1st round is a disaster. That disaster is very real and very possible.
Totally get your concerns, and I certainly have similar ones in the back of my mind. I think the main thing that's different here, though, is the new rule about declaring and getting input, but still being able to return to college. The fact that this took so long to happen is mind boggling. It just makes sense. Also, as much as I loved Gordon, with all his potential, he never struck me as one with a good head on his shoulders. He was a turnover machine, and often played extremely selfish. I'd be willing to bet had Jamont played for a coach like Howland, he'd have been a lottery pick.

I'd like to hope that most of Newman's woes this year had to do with his lack of consistency due to the nagging injuries. Also, I think Malik has better people around him, and something that really can't be understated, is that he is playing for a coach who he trusts and who's opinion he values (definitely wasn't the case for Gordon).