College Hoops Barometer: Risers & Fallers

Is the reign of the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 about to come to an end?  Kansas won at least a share of the Big 12 regular season crown for 14-straight years, ultimately coming to an end in 2019.  However, the Jayhawks bounced back in 2020 to capture the crown before the season was cut short due to the pandemic.  This season has been a different animal entirely, though.  Kansas has lost two games in a row, and three of their last five contests, all within Big 12 conference action.  That includes Monday's loss to Baylor in a game that was not as close as the final score indicates.  Kansas sits at just 4-3 in the conference at this time.  All this on-court adversity does not even include the serious off-court transgressions alleged against coach Bill Self and the program, which have been delayed due to COVID-19.  This season could just be an aberration for one of college basketball's blue bloods, or it could be ominous foreshadowing.

Here's a glance at some notable hoopsters in this week's College Hoops Barometer.

UPGRADE

Jared Butler, G, Baylor 

Let's stay for a minute on that Kansas-Baylor matchup, and delve into one of the reasons why the Jayhawks dominance could be coming to an end.  Butler poured in 30 points in the 77-69 win for the Bears.  He drained a staggering seven three-pointers for the game.  Butler also had a game-high eight assists.  As a result, far more than half of Baylor's points were orchestrated by Butler in some fashion.  Butler's overall scoring average is about the same as a season ago, but his efficiency and shot selection have markedly improved.  Butler is averaging slightly more points per game on one fewer shot per contest as compared to a season ago.  He is also playing fewer minutes per contest yet still averaging more points than last season.  His field goal and three-pointer percentage have both gone up around 7% from his sophomore campaign.  Butler is also averaging over two more assists per outing than a season ago.  He is second in the conference behind teammate Davion Mitchell in assists, and third in the conference in scoring.  Baylor remains undefeated and has won every game this season by at least eight points.  The Bears rank in the top 20 in all of college hoops in a variety of offensive categories, and Butler is the engine that makes the Baylor vehicle run.

Jay Huff, F/C, Virginia 

It appears the supposed demise of the Cavaliers has been greatly exaggerated.  Since getting trounced by No. 1 Gonzaga, the Cavaliers have reeled off five-straight conference wins, including Saturday's 35-point thrashing of a ranked Clemson squad.  Improved play by Huff has been one of the key reasons.  The 7-foot-1 senior is averaging 14.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game over those last five outings.  He registered five blocks against Boston College on January 9, while dishing out five assists in the most recent win over the Tigers.  Huff has proven a dangerous three-point shooter for his size, hitting six treys over the last two contests.  He is shooting an impressive 62.2-percent from the floor overall.  The Cavaliers have scored at least 80 points in each of the last two tilts; so much for low scoring defensive struggles.  Virginia is the only undefeated team left in the ACC and could be the cream of a weakened conference crop after all.

Jeremiah Tilmon, F/C, Missouri 

Tilmon has been on a tear of late for the Tigers.  The 6-foot-10 senior has notched double-doubles in three of the last four games, and four of the last six contests.  By contrast, he did not have a single double-double in the first five outings of the season.  A foot injury limited Tilmon to just 17 games as a junior, and even when he appeared on the court, he did not produce at the level anticipated.  However, he appears to be rounding into form during his final season at Mizzou, shooting a blistering 66.2-percent from the floor.  He is second in the SEC in shooting percentage behind Romello White of Ole Miss.  Tilmon poured in a career-high 25 points in early January at Arkansas.  The big man has also been a force on the defensive end, swatting six shots in the last two games.  Tilmon's presence in the paint on both ends of the floor, as well as his hot start shooting the basketball, have contributed greatly to Mizzou's 9-2 record.

Posh Alexander, G, St. John's 

The Johnnies upset UConn on Monday, although admittedly the Huskies were playing without their best player in the form of the injured James Bouknight.  Still, the road win was impressive for a St. John's squad that has otherwise struggled in the Big East this season.  Alexander was the chief catalyst for the Red Storm, and has been flashing his versatility lately.  Over the last three games, the freshman is averaging 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.7 steals per contest.  After struggling from long range to begin his collegiate career, Alexander is 5-for-11 (45.4-percent) from three-point land during this span.  Alexander's thievery has been exceptional as well; he leads the Big East in steals by a wide margin, and is tied for 16th in the nation overall at 2.5 thefts per contest.  Some growing pains were to be expected, but Alexander's stock finally appears to be trending upward.

CHECK STATUS

Colin Castleton, C, Florida 

The Gators have been snake bitten this season, as COVID-19 has wreaked havoc upon the basketball squad.  First came the scary incident with star Keyontae Johnson, who passed out on the court, was hospitalized and ultimately ruled out for the season due to heart inflammation, possibly brought on by coronavirus.  Although less severe in terms of end result, leading scorer Scottie Lewis has become the latest Gator to be sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols.  Lewis should return soon, but the absence of both Johnson and Lewis has left a huge void for Florida.  Enter Castleton, a junior and Michigan transfer who had been on a tear.  In a recent six-game span, Castleton averaged 16.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest.  He had a monstrous outing last Tuesday against Ole Miss, nearly tallying a triple double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks.  He swatted six more shots in a narrow loss at Mississippi State last Saturday.  He even shook off what appeared to be an early minor ankle injury in that tilt.  Unfortunately, apparently the injury was a bit more serious than initially thought, as Castleton himself was sidelined for Tuesday's clash with Tennessee.  Surprisingly, the Gators blew out highly ranked Tennessee without Castleton.  Sophomore Omar Payne compiled nine points, nine rebounds and five blocks in Castleton's absence.  Still, the Gators are undoubtedly better with Castleton on the floor, and the hope is that he will be able to return to the floor shortly.

Pete Nance, F, Northwestern 

If the last name looks familiar, it should.  Nance is the younger brother of current Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance, Jr.  Their father Larry Nance, Sr. played 13 seasons in the NBA, averaged 17.1 points and 8.0 rebounds over 13 seasons while also winning the Slam Dunk Contest.  Pete is a 6-foot-10 junior who just appears to be coming into his own.  His shooting is much-improved from a season ago, as he is working on career bests of 53.6-percent from the field and 35.5-percent from three-point range.  Nance also leads the Wildcats in rebounding.  Northwestern has had a murderous stretch in conference play, facing ranked opponents in seven of its last eight outings.  However, Nance has more than held his own against elite competition over that span, managing 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists.  He had a double-double in the win over Michigan State in December, and most recently stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, nine boards and five dimes in a loss to Iowa.  The Wildcats have lost five games in a row, but Nance does not really appear to be at fault.

Warith Alatishe, F, Oregon State 

The transfer from Nicholls State has had an up and down first season with the Beavers.  His overall numbers are virtually identical to his statistics from his final season at Nicholls State, though Alatishe isn't shooting the ball quite as well.  In fact, his field goal percentage is down 10% from a season ago.  Certainly the step up in competition could be a contributing factor.  Alatishe did connect on the game-winning dunk against Arizona State on Saturday, but failed to score in double-digits for the fourth-straight outing.  After posting double-doubles in almost a third of his games as a sophomore, Alatishe has registered double-doubles in less than 20% of his contests thus far with the Beavers.  Alatishe remains serviceable averaging 9.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per tilt, but he hasn't had quite the impact that the Beavers hoped.  He managed only three points and four rebounds Tuesday versus USC.

Elijah Harkless, G, Oklahoma 

Harkless is also a transfer, having come over from Cal State Northridge last year.  Harkless missed four games awaiting NCAA clearance, then started this season off on the bench.  However, he has made his way to the starting lineup over the last three games.  Unfortunately, his shooting has been dreadful; Harkless is hitting a putrid 27.8-percent from the floor.  However, Harkless does have the ability to impact the game in a variety of other ways.  For example, in Tuesday's blowout win over Kansas State, Harkless accumulated eight points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals.  He is an above-average rebounder for his size, and would be third in the Big 12 in steals if he qualified.  The ability of Harkless to contribute in numerous statistical categories could give him sneaky value, especially if he continues to start and play over 30 minutes per contest.  Even despite the fact that his shot isn't falling right now.

DOWNGRADE

Matt Mitchell, F, San Diego State 

The leading scorer for the Aztecs suffered a hyperextended right knee as well as a bone bruise last week, and has already missed one game for San Diego State.  While the injury is not considered season-ending, Mitchell could be sidelined through the end of January.  The issue could not come at a worse time for the Aztecs, who dropped back-to-back games to Utah State and are sitting at just 3-3 in the Mountain West.  The preseason Mountain West favorites could suddenly be a longshot to even make the NCAA Tournament.  The Aztecs will attempt to fill Mitchell's lost minutes by committee with the likes of Aguek Arop, Joshua Tomaic and Keshad Johnson.

Earl Timberlake, G, Miami 

In a huge recruiting coup for coach Jim Larranaga and the 'Canes, Timberlake committed to Miami despite offers from North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama.  However, Timberlake missed the first five games for Miami waiting to be cleared by the NCAA.  After coming off the bench in his first three collegiate games, Timberlake was inserted into the starting lineup and averaged 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals in three subsequent contests.  Certainly the absences of Chris Lykes and Kameron McGusty allowed for an increased playing time.  However, Timberlake missed Saturday's surprise win over Louisville due to undisclosed reasons.  He has missed almost as many games as he has appeared in this season for the Hurricanes.  Timberlake oozes potential, but he has to stay on the court to realize that potential.  Isaiah Wong poured in 30 points for Miami in the upset win over the Cardinals and should continue to see plenty of usage due to the bevy of absences in the backcourt.  While Timberlake did appear in Tuesday's lopsided loss at Syracuse, he managed just four points in the 83-57 defeat.

Marvin Coleman, G, UNLV 

Coleman has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right leg and will miss the rest of the season for the Rebels.  The leading assist man on the squad, Coleman was averaging 4.0 dimes to go along with 6.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per tilt.  He was fourth in the conference in assists prior to the injury.  Even more pressure will be placed now on star guard Bryce Hamilton, though freshman Nicquel Blake is also a candidate for more run.  Like San Diego State referenced above, the Rebels will have their work cut out for them to make noise in an ultra-competitive Mountain West.

Aamir Simms, F, Clemson 

Simms tested NBA waters before ultimately deciding to return to school for his senior campaign.  While the Tigers are ranked as a squad, Simms individually has seen his overall numbers largely decline.  He is averaging fewer points, rebounds and assists as compared to a season ago, while averaging more turnovers and more fouls.  He has been held to single digits in points in six of Clemson's 11 contests this season, including three of the last four for the Tigers.  Simms managed just two points on 1-of-9 shooting in Saturday's blowout loss to Virginia.  Simms is a versatile player with the ability to explode on any given night, but those big outings have been fewer and farther between thus far this season.