Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! While Santa has given the college basketball world a two-day break, the little elves at CFHI have continued to churn out fantasy analysis. We are workaholics, we are ever restless, and we think you need to know which centers to focus on in the New Year. (I am reverting to the royal We, which I generally don't do, to deflect analysis that might say I don't have anything better to do). After taking a week off, it was easy to spot some nice players to talk about. Dexter Pittman came through in last weekend's best game, and Magnum Rolle has become the player some people thought he'd be at LSU.
Dexter Pittman, Texas Longhorns
In the biggest game on the Longhorns schedule up to that date, Pittman came up huge against North Carolina. The slimmed down center went for 23 points and 15 rebounds, 12 of which came on the offensive end. It's not like the Tar Heel frontcourt is filled with SWAC-level players, which made the performance that much more exciting. However, in the next big game against Michigan State, Pittman showed why he can be a fantasy conundrum. The 6-foot-10, 290 lb Longhorn accrued four fouls, played just 12 minutes, and had four points and one rebound. Fouls and conditioning are two points of Pittman's game that cause him to be highly inconsistent. Add to that the fact that Texas has a very deep roster with other capable bigs - although none of Gary Johnson, Alexis Wangmene, and Clint Chapman are anywhere near as capable as Pittman - and you have a bit of a fantasy player's nightmare. Pittman is averaging 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. If you can plan for that kind of production, use Pittman and anything you get on top will be gravy.
Cole Aldrich, Kansas Jayhawks
A quick peek at Aldrich's numbers would indicate that he is having a down season and maybe should have left Kansas while his draft stock was hot (something I think anyone capable of getting drafted into the NBA should do). However, Aldrich's reduced production as a junior is not as damaging when you consider the Jayhawks have only played one close game this year (their two-point win over Memphis), and the team has more talent than it did last year, when Aldrich broke out with 14.1 points and 11.1 rebounds. Aldrich's blocked shots are up significantly to 3.6 per game, but he is providing just 11.2 points and 9.7 rebounds. Those are generally fine numbers, but a tad disappointing for fantasy owners. Aldrich has not taken over 10 shots in a game, but the Jayhawks are going to need him eventually when Big 12 play starts. Sadly, Aldrich and Pittman will only face off once this season when Kansas travels to Austin on Feb. 8. Here's another reason to like the Pac-10 schedule.
Jarrid Famous, South Florida Bulls
At the start of the season, it looked like the Bulls would have twin towers in Famous and Augustus Gilchrist. Gilchrist took the lead role and Famous contributed where he could. When Gilchrist got injured in early December, it meant that the 6-foot-11 junior college transfer would have some room to operate. Famous put up some nasty numbers last year at Westchester Community College with 25.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks, so big things were expected of him. In the last three games, Famous has provided 12 points and nine boards per contest. His shot-blocking talents have not translated to Division 1, but he is a nice second rung center to have on your squad. For the season, Famous is averaging 11.1 points and 7.3 rebounds with three double-doubles (all in his last five games). Gilchrist isn't expected to be back from his sprained ankle until late January or early February, so Famous will have more time to produce nice numbers.
Magnum Rolle, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
When Rolle entered LSU, the Tigers were coming off a Final Four experience and continued big things were expected. Unfortunately, Rolle never acclimated to Baton Rouge, and after one year the native of the Bahamas decided to transfer. He ended up at Louisiana Tech, where once again, expectations were high for the Tier 1 recruit. In his first season with the Bulldogs, the 6-foot-11 Rolle played well and provided 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. This year, he has become a more important piece of the Bulldog puzzle. His defense, including 2.8 blocks, has anchored the Louisiana Tech defense, and he has been a better rebounder at 8.2 boards. Rolle had the best game of his career against McNeese State on Dec. 19 with 14 points and 17 rebounds. He followed that up with a six-block game against Texas-Pan American. The competition will get better as WAC play begins in the New Year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Rolle continue to improve.
Eli Holman, Detroit Titans
True centers are hard to find in the Horizon League. One could consider Butler's Matt Howard a center in some respects, but at this point, he is barely on the fantasy radar. Holman, a former Indiana Hoosier, is the exception in the league. The 6-foot-9, 250 lb Californian is a true post player who has been racking up excellent numbers in his first year as a Titan. Holman did miss three games at the beginning of December because of a knee injury, but in the nine games in which he has played, he has averaged 13.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. Against everyone's favorite whipping team, Alcorn State, Holman had 16 points, 15 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Once Horizon League play starts, he should have significant size advantage and may be able to help the Titans into the upper echelon of the conference.
Nick Schneiders, South Carolina Upstate Spartans
Sometimes one must go to some unusual places to find quality big men. The Spartans are in the process of becoming a member of the Atlantic Sun, but are not yet eligible for post season play. In leagues that involve all of Division 1, that usually isn't a problem and you might look to Schneiders as a potential center for your roster. The 7-foot-3 German is having a productive senior season with 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks. Schneiders has produced one double-double: a 23-point, 12-rebound performance in a game against UNC-Greensboro. Over the last five games, he has really concentrated on blocking shots and provided 5.2 blocks per, including a seven-swat game against Florida Gulf Coast. Alas, Schneiders has little help on the Spartan roster and the team has won just one game (against Stetson on Nov. 30 where Schneiders had 17 points and eight boards). Hopefully, he doesn't get too frustrated.
Isaac Butts, Appalachian State Mountaineers
I like Isaac Butts and I can not lie. You other fantasy owners can't deny ... and I could go on, but I may be doing a disservice to my legions of readers who are also Sir Mix-a-lot fans (the two seem to be indistinguishable). Nevertheless, it is hard not to like the mountainous Mountaineer who is learning how best to use his 6-foot-10, 285 lb frame on the court. The junior has produced a slight uptick in his performance. Through 12 games, he is averaging 9.4 points on 61.9% from the field and 8.5 rebounds. Butts scored a career-high 22 points in a Nov. 17 whitewashing of Lees-McRae and has had three double-doubles this season. Like Pittman, Butts has problems with fouls and conditioning. He has been eliminated on fouls three times and averages 3.3 fouls. He should be hard to move around once Southern Conference play starts. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he should provide many more double-doubles.