This article is part of our Draft Kit series.
A lot of what makes fantasy college sports special is the yearly progression that takes place at a dramatic rate, as players can only stay in a program for a maximum of four eligible seasons. Athletes take on a new role every year, and to be successful, owners have to be able to accurately project the players with the most potential for statistical progression. When you're trying to identify these breakout candidates, a great place to start is with the rising sophomore class. Every player and every program are different, but the biggest leap in terms of production is usually seen between the freshman and sophomore years. There's a lot going on for a freshman college basketball player: adjusting to the speed of the college game, learning a new offense and defense, and trying to build trust with the coaching staff, just to name a few. But in the second year, everything starts to slow down and glimpses of brilliance turn into consistent production. These are eight sophomores primed to see a huge jump in production in 2015-16.
Justin Jackson, F, UNC – Most players on this list are opportunists, looking to take advantage of teammates moving on and starting spots opening up. This is not the case with Justin Jackson. Jackson played a complementary role in Chapel Hill last year as a freshman, but his skill at getting the ball to the basket is too great for him to repeat that role as a sophomore. Jackson has unlimited
A lot of what makes fantasy college sports special is the yearly progression that takes place at a dramatic rate, as players can only stay in a program for a maximum of four eligible seasons. Athletes take on a new role every year, and to be successful, owners have to be able to accurately project the players with the most potential for statistical progression. When you're trying to identify these breakout candidates, a great place to start is with the rising sophomore class. Every player and every program are different, but the biggest leap in terms of production is usually seen between the freshman and sophomore years. There's a lot going on for a freshman college basketball player: adjusting to the speed of the college game, learning a new offense and defense, and trying to build trust with the coaching staff, just to name a few. But in the second year, everything starts to slow down and glimpses of brilliance turn into consistent production. These are eight sophomores primed to see a huge jump in production in 2015-16.
Justin Jackson, F, UNC – Most players on this list are opportunists, looking to take advantage of teammates moving on and starting spots opening up. This is not the case with Justin Jackson. Jackson played a complementary role in Chapel Hill last year as a freshman, but his skill at getting the ball to the basket is too great for him to repeat that role as a sophomore. Jackson has unlimited range, effortless touch in the lane and a quiet confidence to his game that will establish him as the Tar Heels' go-to scorer this year (even on a team returning four double-digit scorers and a host of talented bench players). Jackson is a player who will outsmart his opponents; he will test the waters, see where the defense has holes, and then unleash his arsenal. He's had a year to sit back and test the waters of the ACC, and now it's time for Jackson to put on a show.
Nate Mason, G, Minnesota – Playing behind seniors DeAndre Mathieu and Andre Hollins last year, Mason still managed to be productive, averaging 9.8 points and 2.8 assists. Now that both veteran guards are gone, the Gophers are Mason's team. The Georgia native is a relentless attacking point guard who will have some returning talent to work with, and dish to, in returning starters Joey King and Carlos Morris. Mason has a tremendous outside game (38.9 percent 3PT) and will have every opportunity to put up big numbers for a Minnesota team expected to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten.
Shep Garner, G, Penn State – Garner started at the point as a freshman, but the Nittany Lions' offense ran through DJ Newbill, whose 20.7 points and 3.1 assists have left State College and headed to Europe. Also gone are Garner's other backcourt mates John Johnson and Geno Thorpe. Garner will instead share the backcourt with highly-touted recruit Josh Reaves. With the addition of Reaves and the return of forwards Brandon Taylor and Donovan Jack, Penn State will have a balanced scoring attack, but don't expect Newbill numbers from Shep. He should play Newbill-like minutes, though, so don't be surprised if he leads the Big 10 in assists.
Grayson Allen, G, Duke – Here's a name that's not exactly flying under the radar, after his NCAA tournament explosion last year. Duke is loaded on the perimeter with Matt Jones, Luke Kennard and top recruit Brandon Ingram expected to compete with Allen for time at the wing positions. But we've all seen what Allen is capable of when he gets on the floor, and no one knows it better than Mike Krzyzewski. Duke is missing 57 points per game from last year's championship team, and Allen's aggressiveness and athleticism should establish him as a solid three-category player, contributing in points, rebounds and assists.
Reid Travis, F, Stanford – One of the top recruits coming out of high school in Minnesota, Travis showed loads of double-double potential before injuries plagued the second half of his season. Stanford loses three double-digit scorers, and Travis' adjusted 40-minute numbers jump off the page, especially his 5.6 rebounds in just 23.1 minutes per game. Travis showed his potential during the Cardinal's trip to Italy in August with double-doubles in three straight games (averaging 19.7 points and 12.7 rebounds over that stretch). As a word of caution, never expect exhibition stats to translate to regular season production. However, all signs point to a breakout year for Reid Travis.
Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah – Poeltl is another guy who got some national recognition last year, but I still feel like most fans don't truly understand the monster year that this guy could (should) have. The 7-foot-1 Austrian is a devastating back-to-the-basket player, thrives off of the pick and roll, and runs the floor extremely well in transition offense. Poeltl turned down the NBA Draft (where he was likely to be a top-10 pick), instead coming back to be possibly the most dominant center in the nation this year. His per 40 numbers as a freshman are staggering: 15.7 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks. Add to that the expected jump in productivity between freshman and sophomore seasons and Poeltl could be on the verge of a historic year, provided he does a better job staying out of foul trouble.
Tyler Ulis, G, Kentucky – A lot of pundits spent all of last year singing Tyler Ulis' praises, and Ulis will spend all of this season trying to prove them right. After quietly being one of the most important pieces in the Wildcats' perfect regular season, Ulis takes the keys this year. He's joined in the backcourt by dynamic scorers Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray. Like many of Kentucky's prized recruits, he's a guy who could go out and average 20 PPG this year if he needed to, but he doesn't. He will still score in double figures but his value will mostly come in assists and steals, making Ulis a great two-category guard.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright, G, Arizona – The Wildcats have the seemingly impossible task of replacing point guard TJ McConnell this year. Jackson-Cartwright will be the man for the job, after averaging only 9.6 minutes per game last year. The 5-11 guard from Los Angeles is a good outside shooter, making 39 percent of his three-point attempts during his freshman year. The 2.61 assist-to-turnover ratio also points to a successful year ahead for Jackson-Cartwright. He should pile up the assists, and will be in the mix of what should be a balanced Arizona scoring attack.
