College basketball's semester break is similar to the trade deadline in professional sports. It is usually the time that new players become eligible, whether as a result of transferring from another school, sitting out because of a suspension or academic ineligibility, or coming back from injury. Many of these new players receive plenty of hype and anticipation - and the majority of them disappoint. Of course, there are a few who make an immediate impact on their new team and help them in the postseason, but the majority are busts - there was a reason they left their former team or were suspended in the first place. Let's take a look at some of the major additions in the Big East and ACC, how they have fared so far and how they might play the rest of the season.
Ater Majok, F, Connecticut Huskies
Arguably the most-hyped of all the midseason additions, Majok has not lived up to the expectations so far. In three games, he has totaled eight points, 13 rebounds and five blocks despite playing 16.7 minutes per game. Majok is very athletic and has an outstanding skill set, but he might take some time to get acquainted with Big East basketball. He sat out all of last season, and then was not eligible to play until after the fall semester of this season. Fortunately, Majok will likely continue to start down low for Connecticut, as Jim Calhoun prefers to have Gavin Edwards as the team's sixth man.
Jeff Robinson, G, Seton Hall Pirates
The former Memphis transfer has a reputation as an athletic swingman who can get to the basket but struggles to shoot from the perimeter. He has lived up to that reputation. However, he has not been a worthwhile fantasy performer - which is not surprising, considering the logjam the Pirates have on the perimeter. So far, Robinson is averaging 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, but has yet to hit a three-pointer. While Robinson is capable of putting up big scoring numbers when given the chance, he won't get that opportunity with Seton Hall. There are simply too many players and not enough minutes for Bobby Gonzalez to divvy up.
Keon Lawrence, G, Seton Hall Pirates
Heading into the season, many thought that Lawrence would immediately start for Seton Hall and become a big-time scorer on the wing for the Pirates. He averaged double-figures for Missouri two seasons ago, and has been able to fill it up since his high school days. However, after sitting out last season and being suspended for the first eight games this season, Lawrence has yet to get going. He scored 11 points in his first game, but has scored a total of 10 points in the three games since then. His minutes have also been a problem, as he played 33 against Syracuse on Tuesday, but only seven in the overtime loss to West Virginia on Saturday. If Lawrence starts getting hot, keep an eye on him - for now, he's not worth it.
Reggie Redding, G, Villanova Wildcats
If there's one player to immediately pick up from this list, it is Redding. Suspended for the first 10 games, Redding has not missed a beat since returning. He is averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals in his first two games back. Redding is the team's defensive stopper and will therefore continue to see plenty of minutes all season. He has never been much of a scorer (or rebounder, for that matter), but this season seems to be different. He is more aggressive and has shown an ability to create his own shot for the first time in his career. Redding could be a factor on your fantasy team down the stretch.
Gilbert Brown, G/F, Pittsburgh Panthers
Brown was expected to be one of the leaders for the Panthers this season, an athletic swingman that has shown flashes of his potential throughout his career but has never been able to string together enough consistent efforts. However, he was ineligible for the first 11 games due to academics. Since his return, he is averaging 8.5 points and 2.5 rebounds - decent role-player numbers, but not enough to make him worth owning. Luckily for Brown, though, Pittsburgh is less-than-impressive offensively and will need experienced players to step up as the season progresses. Brown could be the guy to start scoring in bunches.
Jermaine Dixon, G, Pittsburgh Panthers
Dixon was injured for the first eight games of the season, and was not much of a factor in his first three games back. As a result, his numbers look modest thus far: 7.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. However, his most recent two games are more indicative of what his likely production will be this season: a total of 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 27.5 minutes per contest. Dixon is not much of a shooter, but he is dynamite defensively and can get points in transition and in the mid-range. The lefty will be counted on to provide consistent scoring punch in conference play; keep an eye on Dixon's production as we enter 2010 - he could be worth owning eventually.
Dino Gregory, F, Maryland Terrapins
Gregory hasn't been fantasy-friendly in his first three games back from suspension this season. First of all, he has totaled just 10 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in the three contests, despite playing 23.7 minutes per game. Gregory started in his first game back, playing 33 minutes and scoring eight points. However, he has only played 19 minutes in each game since then, and has struggled. Another problem he provides is the fact that his presence decreases the playing time - and therefore production - for freshmen Jordan Williams and James Padgett. In the three games since Gregory returned, Williams has played just 16 minutes per game, averaging 7.7 points and 6.3 rebounds - a decrease across the board. Similarly, Padgett has played just 6.3 minutes, averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in those three contests.