The mid-major level is often home to several outstanding fantasy options, as many programs have one go-to-guy that can go off for 20 or 30 every night. It's no surprise that the scorers and rebounders at the top of the national ranks usually come from various Tier 3 conferences. This time, we're going to take a look at the Patriot League, the MAAC and the America East Conference, as each league has multiple fantasy-worthy options.
Patriot
F Patrick Behan, Bucknell Bison
In what is mostly a slow-down league, it is difficult to find an overwhelming number of statistical marvels. However, Behan looks like he is ready to have a monster season and improve on his 13.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg averages of a season ago. He scored in double-figures on 21 occasions, including 13 of the final 14 games of the season. Behan is capable of putting up big numbers, as he scored at least 20 points in the final five games of the regular season. In February and March, he averaged 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Look for him to carry that momentum over to this season.
G Kyle Roemer, Colgate Raiders
Roemer did not play last season because he injured his knee in the preseason and had to redshirt for the second time in his career. However, he should be back completely healthy this season and is poised to repeat his numbers of the 2007-08 campaign. That season, he averaged 16.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He knocked down nearly 40% of his three-point attempts. Roemer also stepped up his production towards the end of the season: he scored at least 20 points in five of his last eight games. In fact, over that stretch, he averaged 20.5 points per contest. If he returns to form, look out.
F/C Zahir Carrington, Lehigh Mountain Hawks
My pick for Patriot League Player of the Year, Carrington is arguably the most difficult player to match-up with in the conference. Despite his 6-foot-7 frame, he is athletic and strong and can beat opponents at various positions. Carrington averaged 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season - and that was while hitting just 44% of his field goal attempts. If he gets back to the 50% mark, which he averaged during his sophomore season when he shot 53% from the floor, his scoring numbers will increase. Carrington had three double-doubles in his final eight games, averaging 14 ppg and ten boards in that span.
Others to Watch: G Marquis Hall, Lehigh Mountain Hawks, G Chris Harris, Navy Midshipmen, F Andrew Keister, Holy Cross Crusaders
MAAC
G/F Edwin Ubiles, Siena Saints
One of the best swingmen in college basketball, the only thing that could hold Ubiles back from a big-time statistical season is the fact that Siena has so many options offensively. He is a versatile scorer and will be gunning for his third straight first-team all-MAAC season. A season ago, he averaged 15.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and even threw in 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Ubiles scored at least 20 points on 11 occasions, and averaged 22.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament.
G Tyrone Lewis, Niagara Purple Eagles
The Purple Eagles are consistently one of the more entertaining teams to watch; they love to get up and down the floor and score points in bunches. Lewis is the go-to-guy offensively for this group, as he has averaged at least 16.0 points in back-to-back seasons, and last year also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Lewis only scored in single-digits on three occasions and grabbed at least six rebounds in ten games. Like Ubiles, Lewis could be hindered by the fact that Niagara has so many options, but that hasn't hurt him in the past.
G Jamal Barney, Loyola Greyhounds
The MAAC's leading scorer, Barney is capable of putting up huge numbers. The former Providence transfer averaged 18.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, yet he shot just 28.2% from three-point range. Barney dropped 40 or more points twice last season and had at least 20 points on 11 other occasions. Unfortunately, there were some sour patches for Barney's season. He scored just four points in his final two games last season and scored in single-digits in three of his first six games. Moreover, his shooting was problematic, as he hit 40% or better from the field in just two of his final eight games.
G Ryan Thompson, Rider Broncs
The younger brother of former Rider standout and current Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson, Thompson is the preseason pick for Player of the Year within the conference. In his first season without his older brother manning the post, Thompson posted outstanding all-around numbers: he averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebound and 3.2 assists per game, making him a fantastic fantasy option no matter what format your league uses. He shot better than 50% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range. Thompson was the epitome of consistency last season, and we expect that his 2-for-13, seven-point performance in last year's finale was a complete anomaly.
Others to Watch: G Ronald Moore, Siena Saints, F Alex Franklin, Siena Saints, F Bilal Benn, Niagara Purple Eagles, G Frank Turner, Canisius Golden Griffins, G Wesley Jenkins, Saint Peter's Peacocks
America East
F Marqus Blakely, Vermont Catamounts
Blakely has been one of the nation's best all-around players over the past two seasons. He won the America East Player of the Year award in both seasons and is the clear frontrunner for a three-peat. His scoring and rebounding numbers went down last season, but he still managed to put up 16.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while dishing out 2.5 assists and racking up 2.0 steals and 2.7 blocks per game. He did this while shooting an outstanding 61% from the field. He won't have guard Mike Trimboli on the perimeter anymore and he has room for improvement, but his all-around numbers are impossible to ignore.
G/F John Holland, Boston University Terriers
One of two big-time scoring options for the Terriers, Holland is an outstanding swingman who upped his numbers across the board last season, averaging 18.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.4% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range. Holland scored at least 11 points in his final 18 contests after some bouts of inconsistency early in the season. In fact, in that span, he scored at least 20 points on 11 separate occasions - averaging 20.7 points per game in the final 18 games. Look for him to continue to be an excellent scoring option this season.
G Corey Lowe, Boston University Terriers
It's not often that two of the best fantasy options in a league are from the same team - and we do try to spread the love here at CFHI - but the tandem of Holland and Lowe is too strong to ignore. In fact, Lowe might be a better all-around fantasy option than the aforementioned Holland. Lowe averaged 17.2 points per game last season and pitched in 4.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, making him a versatile contributor. He had at least 20 points in 10 games, and even dropped 33 or more in three games. One potential disconcerting trend was his three straight single-digit scoring games down the stretch. However, he averaged 22.3 points and 5.7 assists per game in the three games after that, so I think he'll be fine.
Others to Watch: G Joe Zeglinski, Hartford Hawks, G Muhammad El-Amin, Stony Brook Seahawks, G Alvin Abreu, New Hampshire Wildcats, F Sean McNally, Maine Black Bears