Freshman Haze: Bruins are Ball-in'

We have a weekend of college basketball under our belts. The sheer amount of players and numbers coming at me have made me need to hide for cover. Actually, I am standing up the onslaught fairly well and trying to make sense of things. I am learning about a lot of players and that is what makes fantasy college basketball fun. Hopefully, you were able to run to the waiver wire and pick up some early performers. Will they be able to keep it up? I will do my best in this article to take a look at the usual seven players and determine if their production is sustainable.

Lonzo Ball, guard, UCLA Bruins

There is no player I have been more wrong about than Ball. The Bruins already had Bryce Alford, Aaron Holiday and Isaac Hamilton in the backcourt. Where would Ball play? The 6-foot-6 point guard has forced his way into the rotation as the talented cream always rises to the top. He has led UCLA to two 100-point outings with 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists. The competition – Pacific and Cal State Northridge – has not been great, but Ball – who has reminded some viewers of a taller Jason Kidd - will be the most valuable member of the Bruin backcourt.

Carsen Edwards, guard, Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers were highly rated coming into the season because of their frontcourt, but they would need some perimeter support to balance the team. The 6-0 Edwards opened the season with a fine game of 18 points and six rebounds in the win over McNeese State. The 3-point sniper was only 1-of-5 on 3-pointers, but showed some ability to facilitate the offense with three assists. He fell back to earth in the loss to Villanova with just three points (but another three dimes). Edwards will find his range on 3-pointers, but may be a player to stash and keep in the background.

Frankie Hughes, guard, Missouri Tigers

The Tigers only returned two started from a 2015-16 team that was not very good. Other than point guard Terrence Phillips, it appeared as if anyone could step in and provide numbers. Hughes, a 6-4 guard, could be the team's designated scorer. In the opener, a blowout win over Alabama A&M, Hughes hit four 3-pointers on his way to a team-high 23 points. He was 9-of-14 from the field and added two steals. He only played 21 minutes, but started the game. Hughes will have some poor games in which the ball does not fall through the hoops, but he should be a decent volume shooter.

Cordell Pemsl, forward, Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes were filled with unknown quantities heading into the season. Peter Jok figured to score (and he has done that with 40 points in the first two games), but who else would step up for Iowa. Through two games, the 6-8 Pemsl looks like he might be a nice contributor. In just 17.0 minutes, the freshman has averaged 14.0 points on 78.6 percent from the field, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He was 7-of-7 from the field in Sunday's win over Savannah State and may have earned more playing time going forward. Roles are still being earned for coach Fran McCafferty and Pemsl could surge up the depth chart with more excellent performances.

Luwane Pipkins, guard, Massachusetts Minutemen

Pipkins brought some fantasy attention to himself by nabbing eight steals in the Minutemen opener, a win over UMass Lowell. He added 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the comfortable win. On Monday, the competition level increased and the 5-11 redshirt freshman seemed equal to the task. In the loss to Ole Miss, Pipkins thieved another four steals to go along with 18 points. Playing time – the first hurdle for freshman - does not seem like it will be an issue for Pipkins. Sign him up and enjoy all of the steals.

Nijal Pearson, guard, Texas State Bobcats

The Bobcats were looking for a complementary scorer to go with senior Kavin Gilder-Tillbury. They may have found their man in the 6-5 Pearson who has averaged 16.0 points in the first two games. He has played 37.5 minutes and hit 12-of-21 (57.1 percent) from the field. In the win over Florida Atlantic (a former Sun Belt team), Pearson provided 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals. His size and ability to get to the basket should make for big numbers in Sun Belt play.

Eli Pemberton, guard, Hofstra Pride

Basketball is easier when players do only have to worry about certain things. The Pride have Rokas Gustys to anchor the defense and clean the glass. The 6-4 Pemberton can therefore focus on scoring. In the opener, he scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in the win over Coppin State. Pemberton is known for his athleticism. If he can continue to hit 3-pointers, he will open up driving lanes for some thunderous dunks. Hofstra has been known as a nice source of fantasy goodness and it may be that Pemberton is the next in line for the Pride.