Fantasy College Hoops: Power Rankings #3

Here's the last round of Power Rankings! Inside you'll find each team's:
     - Valentine: Who's the franchise knight in shining armor?
     - Heartbreaker: Who's most likely to stand their team up when it matters most?
     - Potential keeper: Analysis of next year's team (more to come)
     - Franchise grade: How well has each owner performed over the long haul?
     - Crystal ball prediction: How's it gonna shake out during the playoffs?


Team #8: WGP (7-6)
Valentine: Lazar Hayward, Marquette... No conference is more of a grind than the Big East, and Hayward personifies toughness for the Golden Eagles. After re-entering the starting lineup in Week 3, he's averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds for WGP. He's Marquette's most versatile player, so it's no coincidence he fills up the box score every night.

Heartbreaker: Xavier Henry, Kansas... Improved competition in the Big XII or hitting the freshman wall. Whatever you want to call it, Xavier going through some growing pains. In nine conference games, Henry is averaging a pedestrian 8.7ppg, after leading the team in scoring during pre-conference play. He never scored over 25 fantasy points for WGP after the Week 1, and was benched for the first time this week. It'll be interesting to see if the talented freshman can regain his spot in the starting lineup when the playoffs roll around.

Potential keeper: LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor... It didn't seem probable at the beginning of the season, but Dunn has the biggest upside on this squad. He's shed the stigma of a streaky gunner from 3-point range. He might not look like the usual franchise keeper, but Dunn can light it up on any given night. He's become much more consistent this season as well, scoring 20+ in 7 of Baylor's last 11 games.

Franchise grade: Moves in free agency - most notably the recent addition of Marcus Morris - helped cushion the blow of a weak draft. Unfortunately, the major source of scoring power on the roster (Lazar Hayward, Da'Sean Butler) is graduating, leaving few solid options for next year. Basically, a high-risk/high-reward approach rarely works, and this roster is overloaded with far too many streaky scorers...C-

Crystal ball prediction: Lack of adjustments during the regular season cost this team in a big way. Lineup switches seemed rather haphazard, and I questioned numerous decisions each week. Nevertheless, they did manage to secure a spot in the playoffs. But after scoring nearly 200 total points less from the next closest playoff team, I am seriously questioning WGP's staying power past Week 15.


Team #7: Chalmers Chiefers (7-6)

Valentine: Cole Aldrich, Kansas... The Jayhawk center has been the lone bright spot for a franchise that has lost four straight. Averaging 40+ over his last two starts, Aldrich has been an elite glass eater and shot blocker. It still doesn't come easy on the offensive end, but he's a 74.8% career free throw shooter and opposing teams insist on putting him at the stripe several times per game.

Heartbreaker: Deon Thompson, North Carolina... After starting the season with two double-doubles, Thompson has been held under 20 fantasy points over the last eight weeks. When Tyler Smith (suspended) and Mac Koshwal (leg injury) were lost for extended periods, Thompson seemed like the logical player to pick up the slack. But just as North Carolina's season began to tailspin, so too did Chalmers Chiefers' spot in the standings.

Potential keeper: JaMychal Green, Alabama... With so many likely early departures on the roster, Green seems like the safe bet. But it's not like you'd be settling for a mediocre keeper. It's true that he only has one double-double since SEC play started, but Green will be Bama's leading returning scorer (14.5ppg) and rebounder (7.0rpg) next season. With another strong offseason, there's no reason Green couldn't average a double-double as a junior.

Franchise grade: The higher they are, the harder they fall. This seemed to be the case for Chalmers Chiefers this season. After a promising 7-2 start, nearly everything that could go wrong, did. An elite owner needs to ready his team for unforeseeable circumstances, but Chalmers Chiefers was never prepared to handle such misfortune...C+

Crystal ball prediction: Only teams that are peaking at the right time have a chance at the championship. Chalmers Chiefers, on the other hand, hasn't broken 140 fantasy points over his four game slide. I'm not recommending throwing in the towel before the playoffs, but it's hard not looking at Chalmers Chiefers and thinking "one-and-done".

Team #6: Neenan's Warriors (6-7)

Valentine: Devan Downey, South Carolina... Some players have a knack for playing their biggest when the game matters most... fortunately for the Gamecocks, their 5'9" point guard is one of those guys. Upsetting #1 Kentucky made him a national sensation for a night, but Downey is no one-game wonder. He's scored 25+ in all eight SEC games, and averaged 26+ fantasy points for Neenan's Warriors over his last seven starts.

Heartbreaker: Jacob Pullen, Kansas State... Octagon of gloom? After erupting for some monster games early in the year, Pullen has only broken 20 fantasy points once over the last 6 weeks. Unfortunately, he didn't get the start that week either. Pullen has been one of the more difficult players to pick games for this season. He can catch fire on any given night. But everyone knows what they say about playing with fire...

Potential keeper: Ekpe Udoh, Baylor... The kids in Waco can put up some fantasy points, that's for sure. As a transfer from Michigan, Udoh flew under the radar early on. But after getting picked up via free agency and posting a triple-double in Week 9, Udoh's been on an absolute tear. He's averaging 46+ fantasy points over his last 6 starts, and ranks in the top ten in overall scoring (despite 3 or 4 less starts than the rest of the field).

Franchise grade: Neenan's Warriors upheld the old adage "it's not how you start, it's how you finish." After starting the season 0-4, they have won four out of their last five and made a serious push for the final spot in the playoffs. Their current sub .500 record might not be pretty, but I can guarantee that no one wants a piece of this team right now...B-

Crystal ball prediction: As the only team to regularly start five guards, Neenan's Warriors is the black sheep of the league. No one will question his personnel strategy if they manage to get into the playoffs. That's still a big if for now, but this team is definitely playing like a championship contender. We'll see if they prove themselves worthy after this week.

Team #5: God's on my side (8-5)

Valentine: Jon Scheyer, Duke... Every year, there's always a player we love to hate. For me, they usually play their home games at Cameron Indoor Stadium. But for God's on my side, he's got to be loving Duke's point guard. While sporting a better than 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, Scheyer managed to improve his scoring and FG% from a season ago - not an easy thing to do.

Heartbreaker: Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech... Fantasy hoops is all about consistency, but Lawal clearly didn't get the memo. He's been running extremely hot-and-cold for most of the season, but lately it's been more like a drought. With only one 25+ fantasy point game over his last seven starts, has Lawal slowly become the weak link in God's on my side's starting lineup?

Potential keeper: Samardo Samuels, Louisville... Similar to an elite running back, keeping a double-double guy is a wise strategy. His production increased across the board from his freshman campaign, and he'll be Louisville's frontcourt focal point next season. Most encouraging is his marked improvement from the charity stripe (71%) this season, which can be a bugaboo for some post players. He might not be a household name, but he's a solid upperclassman to build a team around.

Franchise grade: The no-brainer keeper of Harangody can make anyone look like a genius. But surrounding him with talented teammates is what ultimately transformed God's on my side into a playoff caliber squad. That's the biggest difference I've noticed between this season, and last...B-

Crystal ball prediction: Lawal's recent struggles have been a cause for concern, but Harangody is one of the league's biggest band-aids. If Scheyer continues stringing together solid games and Jarvis Varnado plays closer to his ceiling, this team will be a tough out.

Team #4: Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd (8-5)

Valentine: Evan Turner, Ohio State... Speaking of band-aids, Evan Turner is like a gigantic first-aid kit. Even his mediocre games could lead the league in scoring some weeks. When Turner missed a month of action, this squad was forced to come together. But now that the walking triple-double is back, they're stronger than ever.

Heartbreaker: Wayne Chism, Tennessee... I never got an explanation from Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd on why Chism was benched ever since Week 5. Clearly he's been in the doghouse for a reason, but some of Chism's better performances this year were all for naught.

Potential keeper: Kemba Walker, Connecticut... Point guards from the Bronx never lack swagger or toughness, and Walker is no exception. After his coming out party in the NCAA Tournament last season, Walker has shown a lot of grit this season. Unfortunately for UConn, it hasn't translated into wins. Calhoun's medical leave of absence is something to keep an eye on, as Walker might bolt for the NBA draft if things turn south. But as of right now, he appears to be the only realistic option as a keeper.

Franchise grade: Taking a couple flyers on freshman in two of the first three rounds was a pretty gutsy move. But considering the success of John Wall and Derrick Favors, Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd should consider himself lucky to have these two young bucks, if only for one season. And having Evan Turner sure doesn't hurt, either...B

Crystal ball prediction: Can you say loaded? It's no coincidence the projected top three picks in the 2010 NBA mock draft all suit up for Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd. I know the NBA drafts on "potential" more often than not. But there's no denying the fact that this team has more than just "potential" to win it all.

Team #3: Gordon Bombay (10-3)

Valentine: Damion James, Texas... After recording five double-doubles in six weeks at one point, James is Gordon Bombay's MVP. A rare breed (college senior with lottery pick caliber skill set) James will need to carry the Longhorns the rest of the way. For better or for worse, James gets much more help from his teammates on Gordon Bombay than in Austin.

Heartbreaker: Sylven Landesberg, Virginia... Much like James Harden from a year ago, Gordon Bombay struggles to pick the right game for the talented Cavalier each week. With just three 25+ games in 13 weeks, Landesberg has been a relative thorn in Gordon Bombay's side all season.

Potential keeper: Trey Thompkins, Georgia... The in-state, super sophomore has been the league's most pleasant surprise. Undrafted a season ago, Thompkins has gone on to average 20 points and 9 rebounds in his 13 starts. He's extremely versatile, but I expect the hype machine to stay away from Thompkins just long enough to keep him in Athens for one more season.

Franchise grade: Aside from the 2-year disaster known as Raymar Morgan, Gordon Bombay definitely took a step forward after his rookie campaign. He learned from last year's mistakes, and benefitted from a strong draft. Though it appears Gordon Bombay might be moving on to bigger and better things, I know I'm not the only one that hopes he sticks around beyond this season...B+

Crystal ball prediction: After starting the season 5-0, Bombay only went 3-3 over his next six games. He might be 10-3 right now, but is this team's impressive record a mirage? A legitimate win against God's on my side (8-5) in Week 14 should silence the critics momentarily. But all three losses came at the hands of the league's top scorers: Boilers, Crimson & Bluebloods and Neenan's Warriors. So I'm not completely sold on Bombay belonging in the upper echelon just yet.

Team #2: Boilers (9-4)

Valentine: Quincy Pondexter, Washington... Most players make the biggest improvements between their freshman and sophomore years. Not the case with Pondexter, who has dramatically increased his scoring - 12.1 to 20.6 - and rebounding - 5.9 to 8.3 - averages during his senior season at Washington. It's hard to believe an undrafted free agent is putting up those kinds of numbers.

Heartbreaker: Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech... A late-season acquisition a season ago, Delaney looked poised for a breakout junior campaign in Blacksburg. But choosing the right game each week has been a headache for Boilers. It's a shame that Delaney, a 3rd-round pick averaging 20.3ppg, can't find a spot in the starting lineup. Then again, maybe that's a good problem to have...

Potential keeper: Jamine Peterson, Providence... The Brooklyn native shed his nickname "Greedy" by redshirting last season. As a former high school teammate of Michael Beasley at Fitchburg [MA], Peterson is now ready to step into the spotlight. It goes against common knowledge that Providence could produce the league's top keeper for next season. At least until you watch one of their games and realize just how talented Peterson truly is.

Franchise grade: Boilers had a solid draft, there's just no way around that. But if this squad goes on to win it all, it just goes to show you that championships are built over the course of the season. Scooping up talented free agents week after week can transform pretenders into contenders. And very few owners put in the time and effort that Boilers does, who is always looking for an edge...A-

Crystal ball prediction: For a while, it seemed like Purdue hoops and Boilers team were a cruel counterbalance of each other. When one team won, the other lost and vice versa. But now the Boilermakers find themselves ranked #6 and fresh off the heels of a huge road win at the Breslin Center. Meanwhile, Boilers is steamrolling the competition and just took the lead in overall league scoring. Sure his Colts came in second place on Super Bowl Sunday, but I just don't see Boilers sharing the same fate in the upcoming playoffs.

Team #1: Crimson & Bluebloods (11-2)

Valentine: Wesley Johnson, Syracuse... Despite his recent struggles, the Corsicana Kid remains the league's top scorer. Not only is Syracuse primed for a #1 seed, but Johnson is one of the favorites for NPOY. The only player on Crimson & Bluebloods that has started every single week is Johnson, a last round pick... how fitting.

Heartbreaker: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky... Coach Calipari has been called a lot of things over his coaching career. But I like to think of him as a magician at times. In this case, he's made Patterson, a former All-American and projected NBA lottery pick completely disappear. It broke my heart as an owner to bench Patterson for the first time in 2+ seasons. But these are the tough decisions we have to make sometimes.

Potential keeper: Greg Monroe, Georgetown... A midseason trade sent Monroe to the league's top-ranked squad. The change of scenery was perfect timing for a team on the ropes. But does Monroe have value beyond this season? He refused to declare for the NBA draft a season ago, stating he was clearly not ready physically and emotionally. After returning to Georgetown for his sophomore season, Monroe has gone on the record multiple times stating that he is loving the college experience as a student-athlete. Monroe might be the only viable option: Patrick Patterson, Ed Davis and Wesley Johnson are all projected lottery picks, and shoe-ins to leave early.

Franchise grade: Year after year, this owner fields a winner. What can I say? Some things just never change. After one of the most pathetic drafts in history, Crimson & Bluebloods is leading the league with a bunch of strays. This season is living proof that contenders can be built from the ground up...A

Crystal ball prediction: After cruising for more than half of the season, Crimson & Bluebloods hit a few bumps in the road. If they can regain their composure and return to early season form, then you'd be crazy to count out this battle-tested veteran. Granted this team might not be scoring the most points each week anymore, but there's something about this season that just feels familiar...