Fantasy College Hoops: Power Rankings #2
With a great Christmas in everyone's rear view mirror, it's time to get down to business. I've made my lists and checked them twice! Now it's time to wrap up this decade with the second round of Fantasy College Hoops Power Rankings. Here is a breakdown of the five categories:
- Naughty: Who's been a lump of coal for their squad?
- Nice: Who's shooting is as sweet as a Red Ryder BB gun?
- Biggest surprise: Something unexpected (good/bad) so far...
- Coaching grade: How effective are you at managing your squad?
Team #8: Neenan's Warriors (2-6)
Naughty: Courtney Fortson, Arkansas... After averaging 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists as a freshman, Fortson has been serving an indefinite suspension. It has yet to be determined if Fortson will play in any games this season. Although there are reports he is currently practicing with the team.
Nice: Dominique Jones, South Florida... Jones was South Florida's one-man show during his first two seasons. His increased patience on the offensive end has raised his 3-point shooting percentage to 38.3%. And while Jones does a lot more than just shoot, he has still scored in double-figures in all but one game this season.
Biggest surprise: Jacob Pullen, Kansas St... Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the Kansas State point guard would have scored more fantasy points than names such as Sherron Collins and Jerome Randle. But with the Wildcats off to a hot start (12-1), Pullen is a major reason why. He has scored 18+ points in eight of his last nine games. If he can improve on his assist numbers, then he'll be on the verge of some All-American lists.
Coaching grade: Though Neenan's Warriors were beaten to the punch early and often in free agency, they rebounded in a big way. Giving Dwayne Collins some well-deserved starts and picking up Ekpe Udoh will likely pay off once conference play opens up. The effort is there, but this team's only two wins are by way of forfeits...C-
New Year's resolution: "Make a smart investment." This team's point totals have slowly improved from week to week. But I'm not completely sold on this team being worthy of a playoff spot. Neenan's Warriors would be wise to make a few more moves in free agency to help shore up some loose ends on the roster.
Team #7: Aids (2-6)
Naughty: Aids, Team Owner... Looking up and down the roster, there is absolutely no reason for Aids to be this low in the power rankings. I don't have an ounce of sympathy for any team that regularly forgets to set their lineup. If Aids pulls a "Maria Koppen", then no one should ever let him hear the end of it.
Nice: Manny Harris, Michigan... I don't know if anything more can be said. Harris is teh only player not named Evan Turner to average more than 35+ fantasy points per start. Despite Aids handicapping his opportunities, Harris will likely find himself on the 1st team of my upcoming midseason All-American list.
Biggest surprise: Devin Ebanks, West Virginia... The Mountaineers got a much needed shot in the arm when Ebanks returned from his leave of absense early this season. Surprisingly, Aids waited until this week to finally insert him into the starting lineup. I highly doubt that he'll ever smell the bench for the rest of the season.
Coaching grade: There are no excuses for Aids. With on of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league, a top seed in the playoffs was practically gift wrapped following the draft. But after three straight forfeits, I'm not so sure this team has what it takes anymore...D+
New Year's resolution: "Get organized." We all witnessed Maria Koppen flush a championship caliber squad down the drain last year. Now, I'm wondering if Aids will make the same mistake. I know you just sold your phone, but it can't be that hard to set some sort of reminder to get your lineup in.
Team #6: God's on my side (5-3)
.JPG)
Naughty: Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech... The Yellow Jackets have gotten off to a fast start (10-2), and their talented front line is the main reason why. Unfortunately, his talented freshman teammate Derrick Favors has been taking more and more points and rebounds away from Lawal as of late.
Nice: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame... It's business as usual for Harangody this year. Not many players can score 25+ on an "off night". And wouldn't you know it? 'Gody is ranked in the top five in overall scoring - with only seven starts.
Biggest surprise: Samardo Samuels, Louisville... After losing Earl Clark and Terrence Williams to the NBA, Louisville was expected to take a major step backward this season. Samuels clearly never got that memo. A 7th round steal, Samuels has scored in double-figures in all 13 games thus far.
Coaching grade: With a win this week, God's on my side will have won four out of the last five. The lone loss? A forfeit to Boilers... Ouch! You better hope that temporary lapse in judgment doesn't come back to haunt you when the playoffs roll around...C
New Year's resolution: "Get in shape." God's on my side has become one of the more impressive owners in this league. After barely missing out on the playoffs a year ago, he's come back hungrier than ever. If he can tie up a few loose ends here and there, he'll be in perfect position to finish this season with a bang.
Team #5: Boilers (5-3)
Naughty: Greivis Vasquez, Maryland... He's been much better recently, but Vasquez was a nightmare for Boilers early on. He's one of the best at feasting on inferior competition, but he's struggled against the tougher teams on Maryland's slate so far. Not a great sign with ACC play rapidly approaching.
Nice: Tasmin Mitchell, Louisiana St... After a similar disaster beginning to the season, Mitchell has rebounded in a big way. He recorded four double-doubles in the month of December, after having zero before that. LSU will continue to struggle, but Mitchell should continue to put up big numbers, regardless of opponent.
Biggest surprise: Jamine Peterson, Providence... The first Providence Friar ever owned, Peterson has been a fantastic addition to Boilers' roster since Week 3. In a league that's all about numbers, the sophomore from Brooklyn has some keeper potential down the road.
Coaching grade: Boilers weathered the storm at the beginning of the season, and his team is hitting on all cylinders right now. After making some big splashes in free agency (i.e. Quincy Pondexter, Jamine Peterson) this team will be right in the thick of the playoff battle. This owner puts in the time, and it shows...B
New Year's resolution: "Reduce stress." As a Purdue alum, you have to be bouncing off the walls right now. But don't let their success go to your head as an owner. You still have to keep everyone on the same page. So take a deep breath, because I have a feeling it's going to get pretty crazy in a few weeks.
Team #4: Chalmers Chiefers (6-2)
Naughty: Tyler Smith, Tennessee... There's trouble in Knoxville, and Smith is righ tin the middle of it. After a traffic stop this past Friday, Smith and three other Volunteers were arrested and suspended indefinitely. Investigators are still gathering facts, and no official verdict has been made about the extent of Smith's suspension.
Nice: Cole Aldrich, Kansas... Chalmers Chiefers' keeper has only scored less than 20 fantasy points once. Aldrich has posted two straight double-doubles, and is a monster on the boards. If he can convince the Jayhawk guards to share the ball every once in a while, he could lead the league in scoring.
Biggest surprise: Klay Thompson, Washington St... Thompson, a 9th round pick, currently leads the NCAA in scoring (25.6 PPG) but did not earn a start until Week 7. With the recent news out of Knoxville, Chalmers Chiefers will need to lean on Thompson the rest of the way. I'm curious why it took him so long to get off the pine to begin with.
Coaching grade: Chalmers Chiefers has made some uncharacteristic mistakes this season. From not being on top of injury reports (i.e. Mac Koshwal) to forgetting to set a lineup altogether in Week 7. There's a lot of drama coming out of Chalmers Chiefers' camp, so I'm taking a wait and see approach for now...B-
New Year's resolution: "Lose weight." With a new year in front of you, it's time to "trim the fat" so to speak. There are a few players on Chalmers Chiefers who have no business being on a roster right now. Now that we're halfway through the season, cutting the dead weight is a must. If you're serious about a championship run, the time is now to make some changes.
Team #3: Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd (5-3)
Naughty: Wayne Chism, Tennessee... With only three starts on the year, Chism is arguably Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd's only disappointment from the draft. He's been riding the pine since Week 4, and the future looks grim. Now that the starting lineup is pretty much set, I doubt Chism sees any extended playing time in the near future.
Nice: John Wall, Kentucky... I've watched a lot of college basketball games this season. But I think John Wall has been mentioned at least once in every single one. When Evan Turner went down with an injury, Wall was the one to step up for Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd. He's become the leader of this team now, and has unbeaten Kentucky rolling as well.
Biggest surprise: Landry Fields, Stanford... A silent assassin from Long Beach, Fields doesn't get a lot of love from the national pundits. He's been on a tear this season, scoring 20+ points in 12 of 13 games this season. But Fields does more than just score (23.2 PPG) for Stanford, as he leads them in rebounding (9.1 RPG), steals (2.2 SPG) and blocks (0.5 BPG) as well. You won't hear his name mentioned very much on TV, but Fields is one of this league's best producers without a doubt.
Coaching grade: Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd deserves a lot of praise. He's a rookie owner who has kept his squad near the top of the standings despite some major adversity. His only two losses are to the current co-league leaders, Crimson & Bluebloods and Gordon Bombay. This grade would've been higher, but a Week 7 lapse in judgment turned into a Game of the Week forfeit...B-
New Year's resolution: "Spend more time with family." This owner has done nearly everything right so far. And when they get the league's best player back, Evan Turner, they'll be even more dangerous. Picking the "right" game each week is mostly luck, but you can still so some scouting. Studying your players' tendencies often leads to the most favorable matchup, and this separates "good" owners from "great" owners.
Naughty: Kyle Singler, Duke... Singler's move to the wing has showcased his ball-handling and passing skills this season. But his scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals are all down. As a primarily perimeter player, Singler has managed just two double-doubles, so don't expect any huge point totals like last year.
Nice: Damion James, Texas... He's the best player on arguably the best team in the country. My favorite part about Damion James is that he's gotten better in each of his four years in Austin, Texas. But with his improved skill set, he still loves to crash the boards. James does all of the little things that championship teams need.
Biggest surprise: Trey Thompkins, Georgia... Howard "Trey" Thompkins is a poor man's Carmelo Anthony. He can bury the "trey" or play with his back to the basket on offense. While on the defensive end, Thompkins is the Bulldogs' leading rebounder (8.2 RPG). He has four double-doubles on the season, and currently ranks in the top five in overall league scoring.
Coaching grade: Gordon Bombay ended last season on a five-game losing streak. But he began this season on a five-game winning streak, before suffering his first loss in Week 6 to Crimson & Bluebloods. This roster is loaded, and it doesn't appear any changes need to be made. Just keep doing what you're doing and you should be a shoe-in for the finals...B+
New Year's resolution: "Quit drinking." There's talk going around that Gordon Bombay thinks he's got the championship in the bag. It's true that your team looks very strong on paper. But claiming to play a man down on purpose to make it fair is ludicrous. We're still only halfway through the season, so keep the ego in check, rookie.
Team #1: Crimson & Bluebloods (7-1)
Naughty: Willie Warren, Oklahoma... Head coach Jeff Capel hasn't bought into Warren's brash and flash philosophy on hoops. Recently, he's been rumored to be in the doghouse, and been wildly inconsistent for the majority of the season. He's good for the highlight reels, but until he plays with more focus, "Slick Willie" won't be seeing this starting lineup anytime soon.
Nice: Ed Davis, North Carolina... The Tar Heels' super soph has grown into a superstar. After playing second fiddle to Deon Thompson early on, Davis has become much more assertive on the offensive end. He leads the league in double-doubles (5) and is looking more and more a lottery pick.
Biggest surprise: Tracy Smith, North Carolina St... An under the radar player, Smith stepped into a leadership role for the Wolfpack over the offseason. After being picked up via free agency in Week 4, Smith has scored 25+ fantasy points in each of his four starts. Only a one-game suspension for commenting on officiating could slow him down. But it appears he has his head on straight, and is ready to get back to business.
New Year's resolution: "Take a vacation." With the power rankings complete, and your team off to a great start, it's been a busy couple of weeks. After making one or two more moves in free agency, this team should be ready for the home stretch. Crimson & Bluebloods has transformed a band of misfits into a contender yet again. Get the popcorn out... because this is gonna be one helluva show!
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment