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Michigan State Basketball: Two Spartan NBA lottery picks projected for 2018

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) dunks the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Josh Reaves (23) looks on in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) dunks the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Josh Reaves (23) looks on in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball has two projected NBA lottery picks in the 2018 draft, according to multiple outlets.

Year after year, opposing fans look for flaws in Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo’s approach. They contest that Izzo gets so many ‘blue chip’ recruits and yet has so few that are successful in the NBA.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: Top remaining 2018 basketball targets

After looking at the way-too-early mocks for the 2018 NBA Draft, it’s clear that he has two potential lottery picks on his hand. Could this be the year people stop knocking his ability to produce NBA talent by dishing out two potential top-10 picks?

It’s looking that way.

Jeremy Warnemuende of 247Sports put together a piece on the two draft prospects Tuesday, accounting for multiple media outlets and where they have Jackson Jr. and Bridges projected.

Sites like DraftExpress, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated have both going in the top 10 while Sporting News has both in the lottery, but Jackson Jr. is on the fringe at No. 14. The author raves about Jackson Jr.’s two-way ability and even concedes that the incoming freshman might be a little low at 14th.

It’s tough to gauge a guy like Jackson Jr. who has never played a minute of college basketball, but he has broken out as a true star and McDonald’s All-American. He’s long, can shoot the three-ball and is an excellent post defender.

Related Story: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for June

On the other hand, we all know what Bridges brings to the table. If the soon-to-be sophomore can improve defensively and continue to shoot the outside shot effectively, he will be a top-five pick.

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