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Big Ten Tournament: 5 prospects the Detroit Pistons should watch

By Jacob Warfle

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans late in the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Breslin Center on February 25, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans late in the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Breslin Center on February 25, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Cassius Winston #5 (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Cassius Winston #5 (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Pistons will look to build their roster during the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft. With the Big Ten Tournament taking place this week in Indianapolis, here are 5 prospects to keep an eye on.

As many expected, the Detroit Pistons are not in the playoff push this March. In fact, the Pistons are in hot pursuit of a Top-5 pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Being a fan of a rebuilding NBA team this time of year can be a drudgery, but look no further your savior is here. Two words: March Madness.

In March, NBA scouts will turn their eyes to the college game in search of the next big prospect. But before the big dance comes the appetizer: conference tournaments.

The scouts still watch and the big boards are still affected. Fans of rebuilding franchises, such as the Pistons, will be zoned in on top prospects such as Anthony Edwards, Obi Toppin, Cole Anthony, and Nico Mannion.

As far as conference tournaments go, the Big Ten may offer the deepest field. In total, 11 of the 14 teams are in contention to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, NBA talent in the conference is underwhelming compared to years past.

Great collegiate teams do not always equate to elite level NBA talent. That is the case in this year’s Big Ten.

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The best player in the Big Ten this year has been Iowa’s Luka Garza, a Naismith Trophy semifinalist. Garza was not on anyone’s radar before this season and has not commented on his NBA future. Many scouts are unsure on how well his game would translate to the NBA.

Without a clear-cut lottery pick to headline the conference, the Big Ten is all about value. There are a couple risers – Minnesota’s Daniel Oturu and Maryland’s Jalen Smith.

As for battle-tested veterans, look no further than Michigan State’s Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman Sr. How about a sleeper with immense NBA potential? Ayo Dosunmu from Illinois.

For the Pistons, the player they will likely target with their Top-5 pick will not come from the Big Ten. If they like one of these players, they will have to look at more creative ways of acquiring them.