This article is part of our Draft Kit series.
The beauty of fantasy college basketball is in its depth. For some, the fact that there are 347 Division 1 basketball teams can appear daunting. For those of us (I call them the "special ones") who like to dig for prospects, college hoops is the best. I realize this is somewhat like fantasy minor league baseball, but the breadth of talent comes through when one examines conferences beneath the usual power groups. After our Tier 1 mock draft, we got together to plumb the depths of Tier 2. This year, we rotated in the Sun Belt and Big South (with the Colonial and Missouri Valley leaving). The other five conferences represented in this mock drafted were the Atlantic 10, American Athletic, Conference USA, Mountain West, and West Coast. The mock draft went 10 rounds and every team drafted for a starting roster of two guards, two forwards, a center, and a utility – one of the six had to be a freshman. I picked fourth and the draft snaked.
Round 1
1. Jack Gibbs, Davidson, G, SR
2. Elijah Brown, New Mexico, G, JR
3. Dedric Lawson, Memphis, G-F, SO
4. Kyle Davis, BYU, F-C, SR
5. T.J. Cline, Richmond, F, SR
6. Alex Wintering, Portland, G, SR
7. Jeremy Combs, North Texas, F, JR
The first round is relatively easy. Gibbs is clearly the best player in this pool. The senior guard provided 24.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, and there is little reason to think his numbers
The beauty of fantasy college basketball is in its depth. For some, the fact that there are 347 Division 1 basketball teams can appear daunting. For those of us (I call them the "special ones") who like to dig for prospects, college hoops is the best. I realize this is somewhat like fantasy minor league baseball, but the breadth of talent comes through when one examines conferences beneath the usual power groups. After our Tier 1 mock draft, we got together to plumb the depths of Tier 2. This year, we rotated in the Sun Belt and Big South (with the Colonial and Missouri Valley leaving). The other five conferences represented in this mock drafted were the Atlantic 10, American Athletic, Conference USA, Mountain West, and West Coast. The mock draft went 10 rounds and every team drafted for a starting roster of two guards, two forwards, a center, and a utility – one of the six had to be a freshman. I picked fourth and the draft snaked.
Round 1
1. Jack Gibbs, Davidson, G, SR
2. Elijah Brown, New Mexico, G, JR
3. Dedric Lawson, Memphis, G-F, SO
4. Kyle Davis, BYU, F-C, SR
5. T.J. Cline, Richmond, F, SR
6. Alex Wintering, Portland, G, SR
7. Jeremy Combs, North Texas, F, JR
The first round is relatively easy. Gibbs is clearly the best player in this pool. The senior guard provided 24.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, and there is little reason to think his numbers will deviate much. Brown is in Gibbs' world as a scorer, but can't distribute quite as well. Lawson grabbed 9.2 boards, which is amazing for a guard-eligible player. Since every team needs a center, Davis isn't a bad risk in the first round. My colleague David Brown has pointed out that Cougar big man may have trouble equaling his 12.1 points and 7.6 rebounds with the return of Eric Mika and other BYU recruits, but players that are eligible at center are few and far between. Cline is a nice all-around performer, Wintering scores and dishes, and Combs averaged a double-double as a sophomore for the Mean Green.
Round 2
1. Tony Washington, La Salle, F-C, JR
2. Tyler Cavanaugh, George Washington, F, SR
3. Gian Clavell, Colorado State, G, SR
4. Jon Elmore, Marshall, G, JR
5. Alterique Gilbert, Connecticut, G, FR
6. Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga, G, JR
7. Tim Williams, New Mexico, F, SR
In the second round, it becomes clear how hard it is to find a productive center and freshman in a league with this format. Washington, a 6-10 senior, averaged 7.7 points and 7.4 rebounds, for the Explorers. The next three players – Cavanaugh, Clavell, and Elmore (who I took) – are all much more productive players. Unless a team just wants to play five-on-six, then a modestly productive center must be a consideration. Gilbert is among the highest rated freshmen, but he will struggle to get minutes behind Jalen Adams and Rodney Purvis. Yet, the 6-0 point guard was the first freshman selected. We finished Round Two with a Williams run. Williams-Goss averaged 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists for Washington in 2014-15. The Zags have other offensive options, but the junior transfer could be among the best players in Tier 2.
Round 3
1. Reggie Upshaw, Middle Tennessee, F, SR
2. Jared Brownridge, Santa Clara, G, SR
3. Ronald Delph, Florida Atlantic, C, JR
4. Johnathan Williams, Gonzaga, F, JR
5. Eric Mika, BYU, F, SO
6. Zach Collins, Gonzaga, F, FR
7. Jaylen Adams, St. Bonaventure, G, JR
The third round began with experienced players. Upshaw is a strong forward for the Blue Raiders who nearly averaged a double-double last year (13.4 points, 8.8 rebounds). Browridge is a one-category superstar who pumped in 20.6 points as a junior. Another center came off the board in Delph. The seven-footer provided 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks as a sophomore. None of the next three players played last season. Williams is the second Bulldog transfer. He averaged 11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds with Missouri two seasons ago. His athleticism could be too much for the WCC to handle. Mika is back from his two-year mission, but he averaged 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 2013-14. Collins will back up Williams and could get more playing time if Przemek Karnowski is once again bothered by back issues. This Jaylen Adams is more productive than the Connecticut variety.
Round 4
1. Emmett Naar, St. Marys, G, JR
2. Marcus Evans, Rice, G, SO
3. Jordan Price, La Salle, G, SR
4. Joseph Chartouny, Fordham, G, SO
5. Erik McCree, Louisiana Tech, F, SR
6. E.C. Matthews, Rhode Island, G, JR
7. Charles Cooke, Dayton, G, SR
In Round 4, the mock draft returned to players that we have a decent handle on. There were some upside sophomores, but mostly it was upper classmen to balance out the risks taken in the earlier rounds. Teams are also starting to look fill statistical gaps. Naar and Chartouny both topped double-digit scoring and six assists for the Gaels and Rams, respectively. Evans and Price were scorers who both topped 18.5 points per game. Matthews was injured in the season opener last year, but averaged 16.9 points in 2014-15. McCree and Cooke are solid players who are unlikely to win or lose a league. They are the fantasy equivalent to role players.
Round 5
1. Jalen Moore, Utah State, G-F, SR
2. Gary Clark, Cincinnati, F, JR
3. Dominic Artis, UTEP, G, SR
4. Malik Milton, SMU, G, SO
5. Tacko Fall, UCF, C, SO
6. Amida Brimah, Connecticut, C, SR
7. Tookie Brown, Georgia Southern, G, SO
The fifth round was filled with intriguing players. I have always liked Gary Clark and he may get more offensive opportunities as a junior. He is already a sound rebounder. Artis is a strong rebounder for a guard. Milton might be in for one of the biggest jumps in production in Tier 2. The Mustang guard inherits the position from Nic Moore and scored 10.5 points as a reserve. He played 32.6 minutes as a freshman, but should get more passing opportunities as the lead guard. As I noted in my American Athletic preview, Fall was productive when he played. The 7-6 center did not earn many minutes as a freshman, but he could be a double-double guy with the Knights. Brimah is what is left of the Huskies' championship, but will likely not be a scorer. Brown averaged 17.8 points as a freshman and could lead the Sun Belt in scoring.
Round 6
1. Justin Johnson, Western Kentucky, F, JR
2. Ryan Taylor, Marshall, F, SR
3. De'Riante Jenkins, VCU, G, FR
4. Nick Emery, BYU, G, SO
5. Egor Koulechov, Rice, G-F, JR
6. Peyton Aldridge, Davidson, F, JR
7. Evan Fitzner, St. Marys, C, SO
Western Kentucky is going to be an interesting source of fantasy goodness. Coach Rick Stansbury was able to bring plenty of talent to Mississippi State before retiring a few years ago and it appears that he is going to continue to attract talent. Johnson is a holdover from the previous regime who averaged 15.5 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Hilltoppers. When he wasn't dealing with anger management, Emery was a solid freshman for the Cougars. He could be even more valuable with Kyle Collinsworth gone. Aldridge is a nice caddy for Gibbs. He had to play as an undersized forward for the Wildcats last year, but could have some more help in the frontcourt as a junior.
Round 7
1. Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga, C, SR
2. Obi Enechionyia, Temple, F, JR
3. J'Mychal Reese, North Texas, G, SR
4. Donte Thomas, Arkansas State, G, SR
5. Tyrell Nelson, Gardner-Webb, F, SR
6. Christian Wilson, UTSA, G, JR
7. Dejon Jarreau, Massachusetts, G, FR
Karnowski is an incredible value at this point. Back issues held Karnowski to six games last year, but the 7-1 senior provided at least 10 points in his two previous seasons. The native of Poland is surprising spry for a 300-pounder and could be a top five Tier 2 center. I was very happy to get Thomas at this point in the draft as well. He had a triple-double and four other double-doubles (two with rebounds and two with assists), but had some injury issues that derailed his season in conference play. Christian Wilson is a solid pick out Conference USA because the junior guard provided well-rounded stats (16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists).
Round 8
1. Jarron Cumberland, Cincinnati, G, FR
2. Juwan Durham, Connecticut, F, FR
3. Kris Clyburn, UNLV, G, SO
4. Jordon Varnado, Troy, F, SO
5. Xavier Cooks, Winthrop, G-F, JR
6. Obij Aget, New Mexico, C, SR
7. Yoeli Childs, BYU, F, FR
When in doubt about freshmen, go with the bigger schools. Cincinnati has often had trouble scoring points, so the 6-5 Cumberland could get an early look. He averaged nearly 30 points per game as a high school senior. The Bearcat freshman was able to force his way to the basket. Durham has upside for the Huskies, but has torn both ACLs. He may redshirt. If he does play, Durham could collect points, boards, and blocks. I went back to the Sun Belt for Varnado, Jarvis' younger brother. He started his freshman season well for the Trojans before hitting the wall. UNLV is circling with question marks since the Runnin' Rebel had almost a complete upheaval. Clyburn is a junior college transfer who could add scoring.
Round 9
1. Lamond Murray, Pepperdine, G-F, SR
2. Ben Moore, SMU, F, SR
3. Scoochie Smith, Dayton, G, SR
4. Alani Moore, Temple, G, FR
5. Brandan Stith, Old Dominion, F, JR
6. Darius Lewis, Duquesne, C, SR
7. A.J. Davis, UCF, G-F, JR
Murray is a second generation basketball player. Like his papa, the 6-5 senior scored 16.6 points and added 5.4 rebounds. Smith has played in eight NCAA tournament games, which is likely a record for this player pool. The 6-11 senior provided 11.7 points and 4.3 assists for the Flyers. I took Moore, who may get early reps as the Owl point guard. I don't know whether he will be successful, but I am simply hopeful that he will get minutes. Stith is a fine rebounder (9.6 boards). Lewis is mostly a defensive presence, but he should get plenty of playing time for the Dukes.
Round 10
1. Dane Pineau, St. Marys, F, SR
2. Donte Clark, Massachusetts, G, JR
3. Jock Landale, St. Marys, C, JR
4. Bryce Washington, Louisiana-Lafayette, F, JR
5. Hayden Graham, Air Force, F, SR
6. Brison Gresham, Massachusetts, F-C, FR
7. Giddy Potts, Middle Tennessee, G, JR
As shown by the last round of this 70-player draft, there are plenty of interesting guards and forwards even at this point. Pineau should provide plenty of double-doubles for the Gaels. Clark put in 16.7 points for the Minutemen, while Graham is the best returning member of Air Force. I decided to go local with my final pick. I could have chosen Jonathan Stove, a driving guard for the Ragin' Cajuns. I opted for Washington who will slide into Shawn Long's spot in the lineup. Gresham could vie for playing time because the Minutemen have little size. Potts was a great place to end the draft. He led the nation in 3-point percentage.
