This article is part of our College Basketball Waiver Wire series.
Last week seemed like a relatively quiet seven days as far as news and/or injuries go in the college basketball world. That's great news for the continuity of season-long lineups, but it means slim pickings if you're attempting to improve your team via the waiver wire. As usual, we'll run through a few names with national relevance, in addition to conference-specific pickups.
Power Conferences
Andrew Platek, G, North Carolina
Every week it seems I'm featuring a new Tar Heel, as every week there appears to be another injury that further sends their season into the abyss. Jeremiah Francis didn't play over the weekend due to "knee soreness", and given his past injury history, it's reasonable to assume the Heels will play this very safely. In Saturday's historic loss to Clemson, the starting five all saw at least 36 minutes, which included Platek. He finished with eight points, eight rebounds and six assists, and while he's unlikely to shine in any one category, it's hard to beat that newfound opportunity at this stage of the season.
Jay Huff, F, Virginia
It's almost impossible to know what to make of Huff's performance Saturday. He played a career-high 41 minutes after seeing just 53 total minutes in his previous three games, and responded with his first double-double since opening night. What we do know is 1) Huff possesses this potential and 2) Virginia is in dire need of offensive options. That makes Huff well worth a speculative add in hopes Tony Bennett continues to trust him.
Jacob Young, G, Rutgers
Conventional wisdom says add Caleb McConnell, who has moved into the starting lineup with Geo Baker sidelined. That's not the wrong train of thought and McConnell certainly has appeal, but Young has been the bigger producer of late despite a reserve role. He's averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals over his last four games, and those numbers play well in nearly all lineups.
Micah Potter, F, Wisconsin
Potter hasn't drawn a start since gaining eligibility in the season's second semester, but is coming off of a monster 24 point, 13 rebound effort Saturday against Penn State, playing 28 minutes, which was preceded by 13 points and nine rebounds in only 15 minutes against Illinois. He may fly a bit under radars given the previously limited minutes, but expecting a role similar to Saturday's moving forward makes Potter a priority add this week.
Robert Phinisee, G, Indiana
It may be prudent to watch the Hoosiers' lineup this week before claiming Phinisee in Big 10 heavy formats, but it makes some sense to stash him on the bench in hopes of a repeat from Saturday, where he earned his first start of the year. Phinisee responded with 13 points, a season-high seven rebounds and four steals, and his production didn't come to the detriment of Devonte Green, whom he replaced in the starting five. If Phinisee continues to see north of 25 minutes, production will follow.
George Conditt, C, Iowa State
Conditt has already been included in this column this season, but he was recommended largely as a player who can carry you in blocks. While he didn't set the world on fire Saturday, finishing with just eight points and four rebounds, Conditt made the first start of his career against Oklahoma. Assuming that's the start of a trend, Conditt needs to be owned wherever available as his role appears to be increasing.
Romaro Gill, F/C, Seton Hall
It's possible Gill is owned wherever available given his ability to carry your roster in blocks, averaging 2.9 nightly. But if he's unowned, he looks like a decent short-term play as his offensive game is clicking presently. He's averaged 12.7 points and 6.0 rebounds over his last three outings while playing 25.3 minutes. That's about four minutes more than his season average, which could help keep the offensive production high enough that he's not a one-trick pony.
Noah Williams, G, Washington State
This is really, really deep dive in hopes of some fantasy relevance. Williams hasn't started to date, but saw a season-high 30 minutes Saturday with Jaylen Shead sidelined. He provided only four points, but chipped in four rebounds, three assists and two steals, and is just one game removed from a season-high 16 points. If Shead proves to need additional time, there's some short term appeal in Williams.
John Fulkerson, F/C, Tennessee
The Vols' seemingly weekly inclusion in this column is similar to the Heels, as their season has not gone as planned and we see roles changing on a near weekly basis. Fulkerson has largely been immune to that, but has also largely gone overlooked. He's averaging a stable 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, and where he has center eligibility, he's likely long been owned. He's coming off of his first double-double and has failed to reach 10+ points just five times to date, with three of those outings netting nine points. He's a stable producer for Tennessee, and merits a look in fantasy leagues even if only an option at forward.
Herb Jones, G, Alabama
'Bama's pace, ranking third in adjusted tempo per KenPom, is lending itself to plenty of fantasy relevance. Jones is often overlooked behind John Petty and Kira Lewis, but he's in a nice groove right now, averaging 13.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a steal over his last five outings. The peripheral numbers keep him relevant even when he takes a back seat offensively.
Tier 2 Conferences
Trevon Scott, F, Cincinnati
Scott is surging in conference play, posting two double-doubles in four games after doing so just twice during the non-conference portion of the Bearcats schedule. He's also averaging 4.3 assists and 3.0 steals in conference, a major boost to fantasy lineups from the forward spot, even if that may not be sustainable long term.
Josh Carlton, F, Connecticut
While he's been a consistent starter for the Huskies, Carlton saw a season-high 38 minutes Sunday against Wichita State in the team's first game without Tyler Polley (knee). He responded with 13 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, and is well worth a speculative add in hopes that is the start of a trend.
David Roddy, G, Colorado State
I may be a little late to the party here, as Roddy has excelled since moving into the starting lineup five games ago. He's averaging 18.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in that span, production that will play in most any lineup.
Dalton Nixon, F, BYU
Nixon's value is tied directly to the health of Yoeli Childs, and he's likely just an add for Childs' owners while they await their star's return from a dislocated finger, which could come as early as this week. Nixon has averaged 31.0 minutes during Childs' absence, putting up 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Andre Gustavson, G, Richmond
A little insider info here, as I work at the scorer's table for Richmond and saw Blake Francis go down with a potentially serious injury late in Saturday's loss to St. Louis. The school hasn't commented on Francis, hence us not having a player news update yet, but he was in a great deal of pain after a Billiken collided with him diving for a loose ball. It initially appeared to be a shoulder injury, but trainers were later seen looking at Francis' collarbone. It's possible it's just a pain issue and Francis is back Tuesday at Davidson, but owners of the Spiders' leading scorer need to have a backup plan. The scoring onus if Francis is sidelined will go to known quantities in their lineup, but it seems reasonable Andre Gustavson would slot in as the starter, rather than Jake Wojcik. Gustavson is a good on-ball defender who should be good for a few steals, and has shown capable of scoring from outside and by slashing to the basket. Make no mistake, it won't be Francis' production you're adding here, but there's the potential for a major role change here.
