College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

We've got a handful of injuries to deal with this week. While most are minor, they at least provide us with some short-term opportunities.

Power Conferences

Jeremy Roach, G, Duke

It doesn't appear as though Trevor Keels will be out an extended period of time, but so long as he is, Roach is in line for an uptick in minutes. He's a woeful shooter, hitting only 38.3 percent from the floor, and went 2-of-10 Saturday in a blowout of Syracuse. But it's hard to argue with that volume, and we know Duke's rotation isn't deep. He also dished out nine assists, and makes for a decent one-week plug and play.

Reece Beekman, G, Virginia

Scoring remains inconsistent, as is always the case when considering Cavaliers for fantasy purposes given their style. But Beekman has reached double-digits in four of five and appears to be emerging as the team's go-to option. He was already attractive for defense, averaging 2.3 steals, but now with higher usage, Beekman is chipping in 5.2 assists and 2.8 boards. He's probably a better roto option than head to head, but Beekman is on the rise.

Moussa Diabate, F, Michigan

There isn't a ton shaking in Big 10 circles right now, save for Minnesota's depleted front court and Purdue's Jaden Ivey's hip injury, both with merit watching before making a corresponding roster move. So we'll target Diabate here if he's still available. He's started nine straight for the Wolverines, averaging a stable 10.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. Not eye popping numbers, but usable depth.

Bryson Williams, F, Texas Tech

There's next to no chance Williams is available in Big 12 leagues, but on a national level, he's worth looking into. A transfer who was previously at Fresno and UTEP, it's taken Williams a little while to find consistency in a power conference. But over his last seven games, he's scored in double-digits every outing while averaging 15.0 points. You'd like more than the 4.7 rebounds, but Williams is at least offering regular outings at this point.

James Akinjo, F, Baylor

It's worth skimming the wire for Akinjo in larger formats, as current form is brutal. He missed one game for undisclosed reasons, and has bookended that absence with a total of five points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals in his last two appearances despite 53 total minutes. He's far better than that, and perhaps you'll get lucky if a prior manager grew impatient.

Kadary Richmond, G, Seton Hall

Bryce Aiken missed Saturday's game due to a concussion, and it seems likely he'll miss additional outings before returning. Richmond started against St. John's in Aiken's absence, and put up a diverse 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals. The hall check in 42nd in offensive efficiency and 53rd in adjusted tempo, per KenPom, so it's reasonable to expect Richmond to produce for as long as he's starting.

Chuck Harris, G, Butler

The Bulldogs shuffled their lineup over the weekend, resulting in Harris' first start since November 23. He responded with 21 points, though nothing peripherally, tallying just one assist. He was productive previously as a starter, putting up 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, and would be worth rostering if his role moving forward remains increased.

Jaime Jaquez, G/F, UCLA

I sure seem to be writing about Jaquez a lot, as hit timeline shows he's been in consecutive DFS columns I've penned, and now here. He missed one game recently, so maybe that, paired with general malaise in his play, have him on wires in large pool formats. He's averaged just 10.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.7 steals in the Bruins' last seven games, surely not what he was drafted to produce in November. Jaquez was good for 15.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.4 spg in his first seven outings of the year, and the Bruins will need that down the stretch if they're to fulfill preseason expectations.

Davion Mintz, G/F, Kentucky

Mintz has only started one of Kentucky's last 12 games, but has seen 28.8 minutes on average in their last six, averaging 11.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists, hitting 46.7 percent from 3-point range in that stretch. With TyTy Washington possibly set to miss some action after suffering an ankle injury against Auburn, Mintz' minutes seem very safe and the short-term production could see an uptick. Kellan Grady is worth checking in on too, as his shooting remains inconsistent, but the volume is on the rise.

Cameron Matthews, F, Mississippi State

I'm not sure there's a more oft-injured player in the country than Bulldogs' F/C Tolu Smith, who again looks to be facing an extended absence due to a knee issue. The problem for fantasy managers is MSU isn't particularly deep, but they've done different things each time Smith has been out previously. It's entirely possible Matthews doesn't get starting opportunities, or minutes, but he's shown capable if chosen. In two January starts, he put up a diverse 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.

Tier 2

Kyler Edwards, G, Houston

This falls in the Captain Obvious department. We've been monitoring the Cougars weekly given the plethora of backcourt injuries they've suffered. Initially, it was Jamal Shead who picked up some slack, but Edwards has gained serious volume over the last 10 days, scoring a whopping 77 points in their last three contests, hoisting an identical 77 shots across their last five outings. Mix in 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists, and Edwards has national appeal.

Marcus Earlington, F, San Diego

Earlington has responded well to a two-game absence from the starting lineup. In four games since returning to the top five, he's posted two double-doubles while averaging 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks. A former St. John's reserve, he's a big fish in a small pond for the Toreros on most nights.

Chika Nduka, F, Portland

Nduka is thriving as a starter. He's gotten that opportunity in each of the Pilots' last four games, and has put up 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and a 40.0 percent 3-point success rate in 35.5 minutes. Pair that against just 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 16.5 minutes as a reserve, and the improvements and appeal become very apparent. With many leagues using Gonzaga and the WCC in player pools, it's likely Nduka is sitting out there for the taking.