College Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

It's another week where we've avoided major injuries across college hoops, which continues to make the wire incredibly thin. We're left with a lot of speculative adds as younger players begin to take on potentially larger roles. While unlikely to find a league-winner or change your season-long fortune, there's still some depth options available, and managers in dynasty leagues could find some diamonds in the rough to carry over to next season.

Power Conferences

Francisco Caffaro, C, Virginia

Caffaro erupted for 16 points and nine boards against Virginia Tech, and was rewarded with his first start Saturday against Wake Forest as a result. While he provided only five points and six boards, he piled up a 23 percent usage rate, taking nine shots in the outing. That seems encouraging, and with the Cavaliers seeking an identity and offensive production, Caffaro figures to get a few more chances at success before/until UVA pulls the plug.

Dawson Garcia, F, North Carolina

Garcia probably falls into the category of too talented to not be rostered, but not producing enough consistently to be started either. He made his return from a two-game absence due to a concussion over the weekend, and pulled down 10 boards in just 20 minutes. He was averaging 21.3 minutes prior to injury, so he may not see too much additional run as he gets his legs back, but on a team that plays up tempo and minimal defense, there should remain at least flashes of potential from Garcia.

Charlie Daniels, F/C, Minnesota

Daniels isn't going to have national appeal, but he can be useful in Big 10 heavy formats for as long as Eric Curry is sidelined by an ankle issue. Daniels started in Curry's absence over the weekend, and chipped in a diverse four points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 28 minutes. 

Julian Reese, F/C, Maryland

The Terps appear to be souring on Qudus Wahab, who's seen his minutes cut into the teens in three of their last four outings. He finally moved to a reserve role over the weekend, with Reese taking his spot in the starting five. Reese responded with a modest nine points and seven boards, but if Maryland remains committed to playing the freshman, he figures to flash over the season's final month-plus.

David McCormack, F/C, Kansas

Whatever the reason was behind McCormack's move to the bench for three games, it appears the message was received. He erupted for 19 points and 15 boards in his return to the starting lineup, his third double-double of the year. He's never been known for his consistency, but no one in this column will be. Not many have McCormack's upside however, and hopefully you'll find him available after an impatient manager cut ties during his brief benching.

Gabe Kalscheur, G, Iowa State

Kalscheur is averaging 10.8 ppg despite scoring in double-digits only seven times this season. That speaks to the peaks and valleys his season has had. He's seeing a large basket at the moment, connecting on 10-of-21 3-pointers over the last two games. I'll add him in hopes that pace continues for another week.

Ike Obiagu, C, Seton Hall

You're going to have to get scoring elsewhere, but Obiagu is on a torrid shot blocking pace. He missed three games due to an ankle injury earlier in the season, but in four games since returning, he's swatted a whopping 20 shots. Mix in 26 boards and he can be streamed for a few weeks in roto type leagues, catch you up in blocks, then be cast off as needed for a more well-rounded option.

Marcus Bagley, F, Arizona State

Preemptive move here, as Bagley hasn't played since November 15th due to a knee injury. He appears to be nearing a return however, and while he'll likely need a few games to get up to speed, he has the potential to be a difference maker down the stretch. Better to be a week early here than a week late.

Mouhamed Gueye, F, Washington State

Gueye seems to be gaining confidence, leading to improved stat lines over the last two weeks. He posted a double-double against Stanford and likely would have too against Cal had it not been for foul trouble, finishing with nine points and eight boards in 23 minutes before being disqualified. He's averaged two blocks in those four games as well. I like Gueye as a Pac 12 dynasty stash at worst, but he's proving to be valuable in the present as well.

Phlandrous Fleming, G, Florida

Myreon Jones doesn't seem to be working out for the Gators, seeing just 15 minutes over the weekend in his first game as a reserve. That's to Fleming's benefit, who started and dropped 14 points on South Carolina. He's proven to be a consistent scorer for Florida, and if his role in the starting five remains going forward, he'll have more opportunity to improve his peripheral production.

Tier 2

Marcus Weathers, F, SMU

It's been an inconsistent year for the Duquesne transfer. He started his first eight games in his new home, averaging a usable 11.4 points and 7.4 rebounds, but then was moved into a reserve role and his numbers predictably lagged, sitting at 9.5 points and 6.5 boards. The Mustangs shook up their lineup Saturday and Weathers responded with a double-double against Tulane. He averaged 14+ points in the last two seasons at Duquesne, so we know there's some upside. A speculative add in the hopes he stays at 30+ minutes works nicely this week. Also worth noting is the fact that Isaiah Jasey's season is over due to an Achilles injury, and while they don't play the same position, it still means a few more shots and rebounds are up for grabs.

Rylan Jones, G, Utah State

Utah State has been without Brock Miller for three games due to a back injury, something that's expected to continue for the foreseeable future. In three games without Miller, Jones has averaged  10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals. It's a slight uptick in scoring and a slight decrease in assists, but the overall numbers are solid enough to merit rostering him.

Anton Watson, F, Gonzaga

I have to assume most Zags are rostered where they're in the player pool, but perhaps not so much a reserve forward?  Watson is coming off of his first double-double of the season, and has quietly scored in double-digits in five of his last six, averaging 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and an impressive 2.0 steals in that stretch.