College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

It was a quiet, abbreviated holiday week throughout college hoops, with most teams playing only one game, if that. But unfortunately, we had some season-ending injuries that have shaken up rotations, specifically in Houston where Tramon Mark (shoulder) and Marcus Sasser (foot) were lost. They haven't played since that news, so we're not 100 percent certain on where that production will go, but it creates at least a couple of speculative adds. After a few weeks of being frontcourt heavy, we're guard-dominated this week.

Power Conferences

Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame

Perhaps we're a little late to this party, but I've overlooked Wesley's emergence as I continue to wait for Prentiss Hubb to awaken from a season-long funk. Wesley has scored in double digits in eight straight, twice topping 20 points this season. He's stated five straight, once grabbing eight boards and another handing out nine assists. He's not overly consistent in peripheral numbers, but the minutes will continue to be there as the Irish routinely play a short rotation. As a starter, Wesley is averaging 14.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.6 apg and 1.0 spg.

Terquavion Smith, G, North Carolina State

The 'Pack have unleashed Smith over the last five games, and the results have been impressive. Since entering the starting five, he's averaging 19.4 points, 3.0 boards, an assist and 1.4 steals. I have some doubts he'll be this consistent once ACC play is in full swing, but the conference is also down a bit, and the freshman should grow as he gains more experience.

Tyson Walker, G, Michigan State

Walker has already been a steady provider of assists, averaging 5.5 on the year, going for nine or more in three of his last six outings. But the Northeastern transfer appears to be finding his scoring footing, having scored in double-figures in five straight after failing to do so in his first eight games. He's also averaged 2.4 steals over his last five, the same number he posted last season. He's a two-category guy who now isn't looking like a liability in points.

Jacob Grandison, G/F, Illinois

The Illini are scoring in bunches, going for at least 79 in seven straight, and it's creating a lineup full of fantasy worth options. Grandison is an interesting case. He's started two straight after a six-game absence from the opening five, putting up 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists. The last number may not be sustainable, but it's what drew my attention, as dimes from a potential forward can be incredibly valuable. Don't be afraid to stream here while Grandison is hot, as his size, or lack thereof, may have him back out of the starting five in favor of Coleman Hawkins come league play.

Mark Smith, G, Kansas State

Smith's appeal is his glasswork as a guard, as he's averaging a robust 7.9 boards. While that may not be sustainable, he at least has flashed this potential before, pulling down 5.2 nightly as a sophomore at Missouri. His scoring has been inconsistent, but the Wildcats also don't have a ton of options to put the ball in the basket, so there's hope he can level out there and at least chip in 10 or so nightly.

Don Carey, G, Georgetown

While Aminu Mohammed (rightfully so) is getting most of the attention for the Hoyas, Carey has quietly emerged as a viable fantasy option. On the year, he's averaging 12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals, all numbers that seem useful/won't hurt you. He's really cranked up the defense of late, collecting 10 steals in his last four outings, and if that holds, there's even more to like.

Will Richardson, G, Oregon

Richardson is likely a familiar name in fantasy circles, and his season statistically is nearly a mirror image of last year. But he went through a funk after the team's first two games, averaging just 8.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in seven games between November 16 and December 5. That appears to be a thing of the past, as Richardson has put up 16.5 points, 4.3 boards and 5.0 assists in the Ducks' last four contests. It's well worth checking to see if someone in a deeper player pool grew impatient and cut Richardson.

Allen Flanigan, F, Auburn

Flanigan made his season-debut last week after recovering from Achilles' surgery. He's obviously not ready for heavy minutes just yet, getting just 12 here, but he's a guy who played 30+ last season and averaged 14.3 points and 5.5 boards. He should return to reasonably similar production in the coming weeks.

Tier 2

Josh Carlton, F/C, Houston

Carlton may have landed here without any injuries to the Cougars backcourt. He's scored in double digits in five of six, sometimes doing so in as little as 16 minutes. He piled up a huge 38.2 percent usage rate against Texas State and has now started three straight, averaging 14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 1.7 big. It's possible Houston looks more to the post for production with inexperience on the perimeter.

Jamal Shead, G, Houston

It's always difficult to project availability, so while it's certainly reasonable to think Shead isn't available in many leagues, now's the time to ensure that's 100 percent the case. He moved into the starting lineup November 24th, and has been a valuable source of assists and steals, averaging 7.0 and 1.8, respectively, albeit with some inconsistent scoring. But that has come around over the last four (14.5 ppg), and it's very likely he shoulders more offensive onus without Mark and Sasser. In deeper formats, Ramon Walker is an upside speculative option. We'll keep a keen eye on the Cougs game against Cincinnati tomorrow.

Donovan Williams, F, UNLV

Williams has been as inconsistent as they come, but he looks to be in great current form. He's scored in double-digits in three straight, including a 32-point eruption against Hartford. The Texas transfer certainly qualifies as a big fish in a small pond at his new home, and if he remains in the Rebels starting lineup, he'll have an opportunity to show his recruiting pedigree wasn't a misjudgment.