College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

Power Conferences

Caleb Love, G, North Carolina

In ACC circles, Love was probably held throughout his early-season struggles, but in larger player pools, managers likely got impatient. He wasn't perfect Saturday (6-15 FG, five TO), but that Love is confident enough to take 15 shots is telling. He's getting into the lane and using his body to create easier offensive chances, and it just looks like the game is slowing down a bit for him. He's averaged 15.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.7 spg over his last three, and you'd think the peripheral numbers still have room to grow.

Kameron McGusty, G, Miami

We've been down this road with McGusty recently only to be burned. But he's played two straight after missing seven of the 'Canes previous eight. Chris Lykes isn't showing any signs of returning after prior reports to the contrary, and Earl Timberlake is now out indefinitely with a shoulder injury, forcing McGusty into 34 minutes Sunday, where he responded with 20 points, three boards, three assists and two steals. He'll likely continue to be a volume option for a short-handed Miami squad. Elijah Olaniyi merits consideration in ACC-heavy formats as well.

Manny Bates, C, North Carolina State

Bates has played just once since January 9, so it's worth checking to see if he was dropped. He returned to swat seven shots against North Carolina and can obviously carry your team in that category while not being a liability on the glass or in scoring.

Tyler Wahl, F, Wisconsin

Wahl has moved into the Badgers' starting lineup for the past three games. He's had one productive outing and two stinkers in that span, leading to an average of 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. Those probably aren't fantasy worth, but the 27.3 minutes are noteworthy at a minimum. It's rare to find role changes like this so late in the year, and a prospective add in Big 10 heavy formats is prudent.

CJ Walker, G, Ohio State

Walker returned from a four-game absence over the weekend, playing 24 minutes off of the bench. He's not a big-time scorer, but was averaging 4.1 assists, and should reclaim a starting role sooner than later, and can offer your roster help if in need of a short-term boost in distribution.

Nijel Pack, G, Kansas State

Pack appears set to return from a four-game absence, and is desperately needed by an offensively-challenged Wildcats' lineup. He averaged a decent 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals prior to absence, and assuming he picks up where he left off, that's certainly of value where the Big 12 features prevalently. 

Kalib Boone, F, Oklahoma State

Boone is merely a streaming option, but merits one-week consideration. He shined in Cade Cunningham's absence over the weekend, posting 21 points and seven boards, and it doesn't appear as though Cunningham is expected back Monday. Perhaps he's more of a DFS option than a season-long pickup, but there can be a short-term boost if you're dealing with an injury or two across your roster.

Posh Alexander, G, St. John's

Alexander had a terrific week and looks to be emerging as the team's second option behind Julian Champagnie. The freshman averaged 19 points, three rebounds and four assists in his last two outings, and has always been valuable as a defensive contributor, averaging 2.5 steals throughout the year, a number that's bumped up to 3.5 across his last four.

Branden Carlson, F, Utah

Carlson has started two straight and responded with terrific efforts, averaging 16.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. He wasn't this productive in prior starting opportunities in December, but if the Utes are going to give him 30+ minutes going forward, fantasy managers should take note.

Erik Stevenson, G, Washington

The Wichita transfer appears to be coming into his own. He's scored in double-digits in five straight, averaging 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in that stretch, and there's no reason to think this production isn't sustainable. Washington doesn't play much defense, and are often involved in high-scoring contests, allowing 80+ in eight straight, so they'll need Stevenson's offense.

Brandon Boston, G, Kentucky

Boston fits in here similarly to Love above. In SEC pools, there's little chance he was dropped due to struggles, but in deeper, national type leagues, managers surely got impatient after a four-game stretch where he averaged 7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.3 apg and 2.0 spg. But Boston is back to being his volume-scoring self, pumping in 18 in each of the Wildcats past two games while taking a combined 34 shots. Mix in 6.5 rebounds and you've got a productive fantasy guard.

Tier 2

Jake Forrester, C, Temple

Given center eligibility, Forrester is likely rostered more often than not, but his prior play could have put him back on the wire. He's a productive player when able to stay out of foul trouble, and averaged 16.0 points and nine rebounds in two contests last week. He doesn't block any shots, but is worth a look if you're hurting in the post with the hope he can stay on the court.

Matt Mitchell, F, San Diego State

Just a casual reminder to check and make sure Mitchell wasn't dropped wherever the Aztecs are included in player pools. He missed two games due to a knee injury, but played 14 in his return over the weekend, and was incredibly productive, putting up 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists. He'll see a minutes ramp up sooner than later, which will make him as valuable as he was pre-injury.

Josh Parrish, G/F, San Diego

Digging a little deep here, but Parrish is coming off of a season-best 20 points and eight rebounds against Portland. He did so as the Toreros were without Frankie Hughes (personal) and leading-scorer Joey Calcaterra was coming off of the bench in his first outing in three games. Those two are the only players on this roster that have higher usage rates, and San Diego gets a pace boost this week in a matchup with Gonzaga.