June 17
I know Michigan State point guard Marcus Taylor thinks a lot of his ability. He should, as every player has to have confidence. After all, if you think you're mediocre, you will be mediocre; if you think you're special, your performance will be special.

	Marcus Taylor led the Spartans in scoring (16.8) and assists (5.3) last season.

But Taylor never should have declared for the NBA draft. Then he made a decision to sign with an agent, which means he must remain in the draft. That move was a gamble.

Obviously, Taylor and his family think he's a lot better than many experts and scouts do. If I were Taylor, I would have stayed in East Lansing, Mich. There's no question in my mind that his stock would have improved with another year in college. He might not be drafted in the first round this year, and if he isn't he'll miss out on a guaranteed contract. He could end up in a developmental league.

According to several experts at the NBA draft camp in Chicago, Taylor's performance was average at best. That came against good competition, but many of the top potential draft picks did not compete. So what did it really mean to play in Chicago against guys also chasing the dream? The truth is, many parts of Taylor's game need improvement.

At the end of last season, Taylor came on strong. He was ready to be considered among the blue-chip returning backcourt players in college. If he had returned to Michigan State and had a dominant year, his stock could have climbed. Imagine if Taylor, a sophomore, had teamed up with one of the nation's premier diaper dandies, Paul Davis. Taylor could have improved under the tutelage of coach Tom Izzo.

Playing for a winner like Izzo and getting an extra year of guidance under such a stellar coach would have been a tremendous positive. Returning to school did a world of good for Arizona point guard Jason Gardner. If Gardner had stayed in the NBA draft last year, it would have been a major mistake. But he came to his senses after the tryout camp and enjoyed a superb junior season. This year, he's one of the top returning college guards. Gardner will be a key part of a Wildcats team I'm picking No. 1 in the preseason.

Come on Marcus, do you really feel you're ready to compete in the NBA? Is it worth it to be a part-time, bit player, sitting the pine night after night? There's nothing like getting actual playing time in a game, compared to minimal practice time and riding the pine in the pros. That's not the way to get better.

If Taylor had stayed at Michigan State, the Spartans likely would have been a preseason top-five team. And they would have been the favorite to win the Big Ten. I hope Marcus Taylor didn't make a mistake, but I'm afraid he did.