College Hoops Barometer: Rises & Fallers

How about the respect being put on the name of the Creighton Bluejays?  They've lost twice thus far this season yet are still ranked in the Top 10 of the current rankings.  Creighton could be on the verge of establishing a program akin to Gonzaga, the mid-major turned college basketball giant.  Of course, Gonzaga still resides in the West Coast Conference, while Creighton has graduated from the Missouri Valley Conference to a much more notorious league, the Big East.  Still, Creighton has made the tournament five times since 2012, and the Bluejays are stacked this season.  Marcus Zegarowski was the Preseason Big East Player of the Year and is one of five players currently averaging double figures in points for Creighton.  They start four seniors and a junior, and just torched Seton Hall by 36 points; the Pirates were 5-1 in conference play prior to this shellacking.  Villanova remains the class of the Big East, but Creighton could be building a powerhouse.

Let's take a look at the rest of the hardwood landscape in this week's College Hoops Barometer.

UPGRADE

 Chris Duarte, G, Oregon – The Ducks also start five upperclassmen (four seniors and a junior), but all of them are transfers, virtually unheard of at a Power 5 program.  Duarte is a JUCO transfer now in his second season in Eugene, and is a big reason why the Ducks have rattled off eight-straight wins after an opening loss to Mizzou (currently a ranked squad as well).  In addition, Duarte has pushed the Ducks to a 3-0 start in Pac-12 conference play, averaging 18.7 points per game in those three contests.  He is shooting 52.5-percent from the floor, including 43.9-percent from three-point land for the season. Duarte is far more than just a scorer, though, as he is also managing 4.8 boards, 2.2 dimes, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per tilt.  He is currently second in the conference in steals.  Oregon has assembled quite the cast of second-chance ballers, but the Ducks have a real chance to make some noise come March. 

 Matthew Moyer, F, George Washington – Moyer posted double-doubles in back-to-back games for the Colonials against Duquesne.  The 6-foot-9 senior has reached double-digits in rebounds in six of the first 10 contests for George Washington.  It should come as no surprise, then, that he is averaging a double-double on the season at 10.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per outing.  GW had a rough non-conference portion of the schedule, but have two of the top scorers in the A-10 in the form of James Bishop and Jamison Battle.  They are second and fourth in scoring in the conference, respectively.  With Moyer provided some muscle down low, the Colonials certainly aren't lacking in talent.

 D.J. Stewart, G, Mississippi State – Stewart has taken his game to new heights as a sophomore.  He is averaging 10 more points per contest than just a season ago, and improvement from long range is a big reason why.  Stewart is hitting an impressive 43.5-percent from three-point land, a marked increase from his freshman campaign.  He is currently third in the SEC in scoring.  Stewart had 24 points in Tuesday's 78-63 thrashing over a ranked Missouri squad.  Stewart is more than just a scorer, though, averaging 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per outing as well.  Stewart's stock should only continue to rise.

 Justin Gorham, F, Houston – Gorham has flexed his muscle recently for the Cougars.  He has recorded two-straight double-doubles, and three in his last five contests.  The former Towson Tiger pulled down a career-high 19 boards in a win at SMU last weekend, then followed that performance up with 14 points and 11 rebounds in a triumph over Wichita State on Wednesday.  Gorham is the leading rebounder for Houston, and while he is not asked to shoulder much of the scoring burden for the squad, he still has the capability of putting up double-digit points on a given night.  The Cougars are extremely deep at guard but it has been Gorham who has anchored the frontcourt for Houston.

CHECK STATUS

 Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee – Springer left Saturday's clash with Arkansas early due to an ankle ailment, and did not return.  The freshman has been a key component to Tennessee's success, averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 dimes per tilt.  Sophomore Josiah-Jordan James recently battled a knee injury of his own, and though both played Wednesday night in a win over Arkansas, Springer did not perform to his usual standards.  Springer's issue is not considered serious, though, and with Kentucky having a down year, the SEC is wide open.  Keep an eye on Springer's play heading into the meat of conference action.

 James Bouknight, G, Connecticut – Bouknight left Tuesday's clash with Marquette due to a hyperextended elbow.  He was able to return, but struggled with just six points and five rebounds in 28 minutes.  By contrast, Bouknight has been one of the most electric players in the Big East when healthy, averaging 20.3 points per tilt.  That leads the Big East in scoring.  He had a staggering 40 points against Creighton on December 20, which included five three-pointers.  Though the injury does not appear serious, it remains to be seen what impact a balky elbow would have on Bouknight's shooting form

 Marcus Garrett, G, Kansas – Garrett took an elbow to the face during Saturday's lopsided loss to Texas, and subsequently was forced to miss Tuesday's clash with TCU.  Garrett was attempting to play, though, so his return could be imminent.  That being said, Garrett's current statistics are similar to his numbers from a season ago, and thus far he has not taken the leap that so many previous Kansas point guards have taken as upperclassmen.  The senior is still averaging 9.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per tilt, but is currently fifth on the Jayhawks in scoring and is the only starter shooting under 40-percent from the floor.  Garrett has value as a versatile point guard, but it certainly does not appear he has star power in the near future even if he is able to overcome this recent injury.

 Braxton Beverly, G, NC State – Beverly sat out Tuesday's battle with Clemson, after playing just 12 minutes in the game prior versus Boston College.  An ankle ailment is the reason, leaving the Wolfpack without one of their primary ball handlers.  However, fellow senior Devon Daniels is having a sensational season for NC State, and freshman Cam Hayes has shined as a playmaker.  As a result, even when healthy, Beverly's upside is capped.  In other words, Beverly has become a luxury for the Wolfpack, and the proof is in the downturn in his minutes as compared to his first two years in Raleigh.

DOWNGRADE

 Chris Smith, G, UCLA – Smith suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season for the Bruins.  The senior was averaging 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest prior to the injury, and it is a crushing blow for the Bruins, who are currently 3-0 in Pac-12 conference play.  Smith stuck his toe in NBA waters last offseason, though ultimately decided to return to Westwood for his senior campaign.  Unfortunately, his time with the Bruins will come to a premature end, and he will now have an uphill battle towards being a first round pick in this year's draft.  Junior Jules Bernard started in place of Smith on Saturday and accumulated 12 points and seven rebounds.  Still, it will be a team effort to replace Smith, as the Bruins had a small rotation even before the injury.

 Justin Powell, G, Auburn – The freshman guard has done a little bit of everything for the Tigers this season, averaging 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest.  A big point guard at 6-foot-6, Powell has started seven of 10 games for Auburn.  However, he suffered a head injury last weekend against Texas A&M, leaving his status murky in the short term.  If Powell misses any time, leading scorer Allen Flanigan would be asked to take on even more of the offensive burden.  With the Tigers off to an 0-2 start in SEC play, coach Bruce Pearl is hoping that Powell can rejoin the squad shortly.

 Dallas Walton, C, Colorado – With a name more suitable for a country-western star than a hardwood hero, the seven-footer started eight-straight games to begin the season for the Buffs.  Walton averaged 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 swats per contest.  Unfortunately, Walton has a history of serious knee injuries, and he has now missed the last two contests for Colorado.  The Buffs might just be exercising caution with someone who has suffered ACL tears, or this could be an ominous sign of difficulties to come.  Jeriah Horne and Evan Battey will be asked to shoulder even more playing time should Walton miss additional outings.

 Ryan Daly, G, St. Joseph's – The Hawks haven't won a game yet this season, and the continued absence of their leading scorer won't help matters.  Daly has missed the last three games for the Hawks due to a thumb injury.  There is currently no timetable for his return.  Prior to the injury, Daly averaged 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest.  Named Preseason All-Conference Second Team for the Atlantic-10, Daly has averaged at least 16.0 points per game in every season played for the Hawks.  He had a 30-point barrage in the middle of December at Drexel.  Since Daly went down the Hawks have lost by an average of 20 points per contest.