College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

Last week's big news was injuries abound for Houston, and while the Cougars have played only one game since losing Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark, it was indeed Jamal Shead who was the beneficiary of his teammates unfortunate woes. If he wasn't added last week, he needs to be this week in most all formats.

We're seeing a rash of cancellations right now, so depth on rosters is of paramount importance. 

Power Conferences

Matt Cleveland, F, Florida State

Cleveland returned to action for the first time since December 12 and put up one of his better stat lines, posting 13 points and nine boards in 27 minutes. He's been inconsistent when healthy, but there's no doubting the recruiting pedigree. I'd expect him to get more comfortable and consistent as conference play deepens.

Bubba Parham, G, Georgia Tech

Likely just a speculative add in ACC heavy leagues here. Parham made his season debut Sunday after missing time due to offseason knee surgery. It's hard to gauge his role, as he never played huge minutes for the Jackets last season, but the limited playing time yesterday was all about easing him back. He's a guy that averaged 21.2 points at VMI two seasons ago, so there's something there. We just don't yet know if the Jackets have the opportunity he needs to revisit that.

Greg Lee, G/F, Penn State

It's probably worth checking in on most Nittany Lions, as they played their first game Sunday since December 11. But it's Lee who seems to have his role growing. After missing time with a foot injury, he played 15 minutes in his debut and promptly moved into the starting lineup yesterday. While he saw only 17 minutes, it's in part due to four fouls. It's clear Lee is part of the equation here, and he averaged a usable 13.0 points and 7.2 boards last season at Western Michigan. That's a reasonable expectation here as his conditioning returns.

Trey McGowens, G, Nebraska

With all of the cancellations and needed extra roster depth, many may not have room to stash McGowens. But the guard appears to be nearing a return from a foot injury that's kept him out since November 16. He was pretty brutal in three games before injury too, but he's a known commodity capable of putting up big numbers in multiple categories. 

Courtney Ramey, G/F, Texas

I have absolutely no clue what to make of the Longhorns rotations; it seems as though they simply have too many players and not enough minutes to give. Ramey moved back into the starting lineup over the weekend after a two-game absence, and put up 15 points, four boards and three assists in 36 minutes. That's in line with his averages from a season ago, and far better than what he's currently averaging this year, and he's worth stashing in case he'll return to past form.

Justin Minaya, F, Providence

It's been a bumpy road for the South Carolina transfer in his new home. But he's started four straight for the Friars, scoring in double-digits twice, and is coming off of his first double-double. He's blocked two in consecutive outings as well. He's never been known for his consistency, but Minaya flashes enough that we can mildly invest here.

Jacob Young, G, Oregon

Young has started four straight for the Ducks and is coming off of a career-high 22 points. He's averaging 32.0 minutes in that stretch and has at least two steals in three of those starts. The defensive numbers are probably Young's most appealing, but he isn't a complete albatross elsewhere. 

Warith Alatishe, F, Oregon State

Oregon State is a pretty bad basketball team, and there are going to be nights where they're blown out and no one produces. But Alatishe looks like the best option here for all-around production. He's averaging a decent 11.8 points, 6.5 boards, 1.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals. He's reached 20+ points three times and is coming off of a huge five-steal performance against Utah. Opportunity is certainly there, and if he can improve his free throw shooting (currently 40 percent, a career-low), there's hope of consistency.

Tolu Smith, F/C, Mississippi State

Smith has unfortunately been a mainstay in this column due to his inability to stay healthy. He missed four games to open the year, played in four and posted two double-doubles, then missed four more outings. Smith returned last week, posted 18 points, six boards and five steals, and needs to be scooped up where others ran out of patience.

Zakai Zeigler, G, Tennessee

This is more of a dynasty call than a help-now, as Zeigler looked solid in a spot start last week with Kennedy Chandler out. Chandler's absence isn't expected to be lengthy, but neither is his time in Knoxville. Zeigler, on the other hand, doesn't seem likely to have immediate pro aspirations. Sticking around, he looks like a future cog in the Vols backcourt, where we can get dimes and steals at a minimum.

Tier 2

Jacob Gilyard, G, Richmond

It's almost blasphemous to think Gilyard could be on wires, but also not outlandish given that he's averaging a career-low 9.9 points while shooting 33.3 percent. Richmond is 9-6, a disappointing tally considering four starters all chose to return for their fifth season together, and it seems to start with their point guard. The schedule sets up very nicely for a two week or so run, making Gilyard a nice streaming option. UMass, Fordham, George Mason and La Salle are all on the horizon for the Spiders.

Clarence Jackson, F, Wichita State

Maybe Jackson is more of a name to flag on watch lists as opposed to a waiver add this week. But he's started two straight for the Shockers; one coming with Joe Pleasant out, the other with Pleasant available but playing as a reserve. Jackson was far more productive without Pleasant available (15 points, eight boards), but it's not like Pleasant has been overly productive himself. Perhaps Jackson provides the starting unit a boost.

Lamont Butler, G, San Diego State

The Aztecs backcourt is riddled with injury and/or illness. Butler is part of that problem, having missed six games due to a wrist issue. He was reportedly close to playing over the weekend and has been practicing with a brace, so a return is definitely imminent. And the minutes should be there given a lack of other options. Butler wasn't superb when healthy, averaging 9.7 points and 2.1 rebounds, but also 2.0 steals, and can make for a nice defensive streamer once back.