College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

This article is part of our College Basketball Waiver Wire series.

It's a quiet week across waiver wires as we head into February and enter what are likely playoff weeks. Rather than injuries creating opportunity this week, we've got a handful of the opposite; injured starters returning to action who we can grab if they were previously released.

Power Conferences

Dre Davis, F, Louisville

It's difficult to really get a handle on the Cardinals' rotations after just one game without coach Chris Mack, but Davis looked like a focal point on offense Saturday against Duke. While Malik Williams was the only player to see 30+ minutes (and he should be grabbed in larger formats where available), I contend Davis would have followed suit had he not been in foul trouble. The schedule seems favorable, with high-tempo UNC up next and again on February 21, so Davis could go on a nice little run after a 16-point, three-block showing over the weekend.

Sean Pedulla, G, Virginia Tech

Yes, you can say Pedulla simply got hot Saturday at Florida State, where he scored a career-high 20 points by hitting 6-of-7 from 3-point range. But I know first-hand living in Virginia that Hokie fans have been clamoring for the freshman to see an uptick in minutes for a team that's struggling offensively, and now we've seen why. He's not suddenly going to be thrust into a starting role, or flirt with 30 minutes, but it's clear Pedulla is ascending. He's well worth a dynasty stash in ACC-heavy circles.

Xavier Johnson, G,

It's a quiet week across waiver wires as we head into February and enter what are likely playoff weeks. Rather than injuries creating opportunity this week, we've got a handful of the opposite; injured starters returning to action who we can grab if they were previously released.

Power Conferences

Dre Davis, F, Louisville

It's difficult to really get a handle on the Cardinals' rotations after just one game without coach Chris Mack, but Davis looked like a focal point on offense Saturday against Duke. While Malik Williams was the only player to see 30+ minutes (and he should be grabbed in larger formats where available), I contend Davis would have followed suit had he not been in foul trouble. The schedule seems favorable, with high-tempo UNC up next and again on February 21, so Davis could go on a nice little run after a 16-point, three-block showing over the weekend.

Sean Pedulla, G, Virginia Tech

Yes, you can say Pedulla simply got hot Saturday at Florida State, where he scored a career-high 20 points by hitting 6-of-7 from 3-point range. But I know first-hand living in Virginia that Hokie fans have been clamoring for the freshman to see an uptick in minutes for a team that's struggling offensively, and now we've seen why. He's not suddenly going to be thrust into a starting role, or flirt with 30 minutes, but it's clear Pedulla is ascending. He's well worth a dynasty stash in ACC-heavy circles.

Xavier Johnson, G, Indiana

Johnson seems to finally be finding himself at his new home. While always being a decent source of stats in all categories while at Pitt, consistency has been lacking for Johnson as a Hoosier. But with at least six assists in three straight and a season-high nine Saturday at Maryland, I like Johnson to provide managers with a late-season surge in facilitation while not hurting at scoring or rebounding either.

Kobe Webster, G, Nebraska

Alonzo Verge sat out over the weekend for personal reasons, which very well could be an issue that lasts beyond one contest. Webster started in Verge's absence, and while the three points, four rebounds and one assist are far from fantasy-worthy, it's worth noting he hoisted 10 shots; just missed all of them. If the role is confirmed moving forward, and the opportunities remain frequent (25.5 percent usage against Rutgers), there will be some appeal moving forward.

Adonis Arms, G, Texas Tech

If you haven't already moved on from Terrence Shannon, it may be time to do so. He was out again over the weekend and has now played in just four of the Red Raiders last 12 games. Arms moved into the starting lineup and promptly handed out seven assists, immediately making himself worth a look. He's been decent as a starter this season, averaging 10.8 points and 4.4 rebounds and can be added as depth where the Big 12 features prominently.

A.J. Reeves, F, Providence

Reeves returned over the weekend after a five-game absence due to a finger injury. While he saw only 19 minutes, one has to assume that will trend upward as his legs get back under him. He was on a nice run prior to injury, averaging 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 33.4 minutes in seven contests. Reeves can be added in formats where he was previously rostered then released while out.

Donald Carey, G, Georgetown

Carey missed three games due to illness recently, but he's been pretty solid in four games since returning, averaging 13.5 points, 3.5 boards, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.5 minutes. While he's reached double-digit points in all of this outings, he's seen some spikes on different occasions, dropping 21 on Providence while dishing out seven assists against Villanova. The peaks and valleys that lead to those averages may make him better in head to head formats, but either way, he needs to be rostered where available.

Marco Anthony, G, Utah

Anthony scored 13 points Saturday against Washington, his first game in double digits since January 8 against Washington State. Perhaps that outing gives him some confidence and he finds some offensive consistency moving forward, because Anthony has been a great source of rebounds from the guard position. He's averaging a career-high 7.1 on the year, giving him plenty of value in Pac-12-heavy leagues.

Xavier Pinson, G, LSU

Pinson was back in action over the weekend for the first time in the Tigers' last six games, scoring two points in seven minutes. It may take a little while for him to slide back into the starting lineup, as Eric Gaines has produced while Pinson was out, but it makes sense to preemptively add Pinson with the assumption he'll play more moving forward. He a diverse 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.1 steals as a starter.

Juwan Gary, F, Alabama

Who really knows what to make of Gary. He's flashed potential, posting a double-double against Drake and going for 19 and 8 against Florida. But he's also posted a total of six points and three boards in 21 minute against LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn (yes, combined). Now back after a two-game absence, Gary went for 15 points, three boards and a block against Baylor. I'll take a speculative add on him here in hopes there can be some consistency.

Tier 2

Kevin Cross, F, Tulane

It's easy to view the Green Wave as Jalen Cook and no one else for fantasy, but Cross begs to differ. He's coming off of his third double-double of the year and has quietly been a nice wing man for Cook, having now scored in double-digits in 11 straight. The junior is enjoying a productive breakout campaign, averaging 14.1 points and 6.4 boards against just 6.9 points and 4.7 boards a year ago.

Liam McChesney, F, Illinois State

McChesney has started the Redbirds' last two games, coinciding with the loss of Sy Chatman for the year. He's responded impressively, going for 14 points and four boards against Drake before erupting over the weekend for 19 points, eight boards and two blocks against Northern Iowa. He hadn't scored in double-digits all season prior, averaging a mere 1.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in just 13.4 minutes as a reserve, so perhaps his current form isn't sustainable. But he certainly looks good in the box score right now.

Jeremiah Bailey, F, Pacific

Bailey has been impressive in his last two games, putting up a total of 25 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks while playing 72 minutes as a starter. The Tigers upset BYU in one of those contests, so there's little reason to think Bailey will move back into a reserve role. As such, we can ride the wave for as long as it lasts.

Want to Read More?
Subscribe to RotoWire to see the full article.

We reserve some of our best content for our paid subscribers. Plus, if you choose to subscribe you can discuss this article with the author and the rest of the RotoWire community.

Get Instant Access To This Article Get Access To This Article
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only College Basketball Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire College Basketball fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Bennett
Bennett covers baseball, college football and college basketball for RotoWire. Before turning to fantasy writing, he worked in scouting/player development for the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos. He's also a fan of the ACC.
2024-25 College Basketball Conference Preview: Big Ten Fantasy Outlook
2024-25 College Basketball Conference Preview: Big Ten Fantasy Outlook
2024-25 College Basketball Conference Preview: Big 12 Fantasy Outlook
2024-25 College Basketball Conference Preview: Big 12 Fantasy Outlook
2024-25 College Basketball Conference Preview: Big East Fantasy Outlook
2024-25 College Basketball Conference Preview: Big East Fantasy Outlook
2024-25 College Basketball Draft Kit: Overall Top-150 Rankings
2024-25 College Basketball Draft Kit: Overall Top-150 Rankings