This article is part of our College Basketball Waiver Wire series.
College basketball fans have been fortunate enough to avoid major injuries for another week, though that does limit the playing time shakeups that lead to clear waiver wire pickups. Effectively, most of the following additions are conference-specific, though there are a few nationally-appealing additions mixed in.
Power 6 Conferences
Rodney Miller, C, Miami
This week has shown the range on Miller's production. His 16-point, seven-rebound game Wednesday at North Carolina State represents the ceiling, while Saturday's four-point, eight-board game against FSU is the floor. But he's assured of playing time (30.3 mpg in his last three) with Keith Stone (knee) sidelined for at least a few more weeks. Rebounds should come regularly, and there's center eligibility.
David Johnson, G, Louisville
We saw the upside from Johnson on Saturday, when he turned in 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks at Duke. The downside however is Johnson's health, as he landed hard on his surgically repaired shoulder late in that contest and didn't return. If he's healthy, a move to the starting lineup seems imminent, as does fantasy relevance for the rest of the year. If he's re-injured his shoulder, he's still shown enough potential to be a great dynasty stash.
Trent Frazier, G, Illinois
It's been a disappointing season for the junior, averaging a career-low 9.3 points and just 0.9 steals. But in a thin week for waiver adds, hoping Frazier can build off of his Saturday performance makes sense. He put up 16 points, five boards and three assists in that outing, and minutes have not been the issue. The down production is a result of 36.7 percent shooting, and while Frazier has never been a high percentage guy, hopefully Saturday is the confidence booster his season needs.
Denzel Mahoney, G, Creighton
Mahoney moved into the starting lineup Saturday and saw a season-high 29 minutes. He's been a pretty reliable scorer in his prior reserve role, going for 10+ points six times in eight outings, giving him some value even if the move to the starting five isn't permanent. If it is, there's hope he can raise his peripheral production.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, F, Seton Hall
Consider this a preemptive strike. Mamukelashvili hasn't played since Dec. 8 due to a wrist injury, but is targeting a return to action on Jan. 29. He's likely to have been dropped in most formats, but now would be the time to look on the wive and add him to your bench before someone else does. He was averaging 10.9 points when he went down, and while he could be brought on slowly initially, the hope is he can approach the 7.8 boards he claimed last season, making him a decent commodity.
Kamaka Hepa, F, Texas
Hepa isn't exactly producing at a high level, averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks over his last six games. But he has started all six of those, playing 24 minutes four times after seeing 21 total minutes in the Longhorns first 11 games. Assuming the starting role maintains, there's block upside, and he should only get more comfortable offensively.
Jermaine Couisnard, G, South Carolina
Cousinard appears to be over the back injury that cost him a game in early-January, and he's now seen his minutes surge after moving into the starting lineup. He's scored 58 points over the last three games, taking a whopping 52 shots. There is significant long-term appeal, but Couisnard looks like he's got some season-long appeal with his new role.
Omar Payne, C, Florida
It's probable that Payne's season-high 32 minutes Saturday were a result of the coaching staff riding the hot hand, but he's still started three straight and five of six. At a minimum, he's got dynasty stash potential, and for redraft leagues, he's potential center depth. There's also the chance the light bulb is going off for the freshman and he becomes a major contributor down the stretch.
Will Richardson, F, Oregon
Richardson presents challenges, as he moved into the starting lineup Saturday for the first time all season, played 37 minutes, yet only provided one point, four boards and two steals. He's been a scoring roller coaster previously as a reserve, but if you assume minutes and a starting role moving forward, you'd think (hope) there can be more consistency despite Saturday's dud.
Jalen Hill, C, UCLA
Another player whose nightly role seems to vary greatly, Hill is coming off of his fourth double-double of the year. He's got significantly more upside that previous starter Cody Riley, and despite the peaks and valleys, he's averaged 9.9 points and 7.4 boards. He seems worth a speculative add in Pac-12 heavy formats on the hope he is given more consistent minutes.
Tier 2 Conferences
Malcolm Dandridge, C, Memphis
Finding valuable centers can truly be a season-long quest. Dandridge is a scoring liability, but he's started two consecutive games and played a season-high 27 minutes over the weekend. He piled up stats across the board, including seven boards, four assists, four steals and three blocks. The dimes aren't likely repeatable, but if Dandridge continues to see bigger minutes, he can chip in some hustle stats for those desperate in the middle.
Drew Timme, F, Gonzaga
Ownership across Zags' players is difficult to pinpoint, but we'll assume the likes of Corey Kispert and Killian Tillie are already on rosters. Timme is a speculative add with Filip Petrusev departing Gonzaga's last game early with a leg issue. If he's forced to miss time, we can look for Timme to see a few extra minutes. Given that Gonzaga is blowing everyone out in conference, it makes sense to be careful with Petrusev. The schedule doesn't help Timme however, with Gonzaga not playing again until Saturday.
Armel Potter, G, George Washington
It's challenging to trust the Colonials rotations, but they seemed to settle on a core five for Saturday's upset of UMass, and Potter was heavily involved in that. He's put up 48 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in his last two, playing 75 minutes, and now has seven 20+ point efforts on the year.
