With the holidays behind us, and college football bowls mostly finished with (not that you should be watching them anyway), all eyes can finally turn to college basketball. Of course, those reading this column have likely been following hoops since the season began. As a result, you probably already know that Providence's Jamine Peterson and West Virginia's Kevin Jones have been huge surprises in the Big East, while North Carolina State's Tracy Smith is one of the most productive players in the ACC. However, even die-hards might not see trends budding under the surface as we head into conference play. Here are a few developing storylines from the ACC and Big East.
Greivis Vasquez's demise was highly overrated
After starting the season averaging just 7.5 points in his first four games, everyone seemed to write off Vasquez as focusing too much on the NBA and a player headed for a senior swoon. However, over the past five games, he is back to being one of the most productive players in all of college basketball. In that span, Vasquez is averaging 24.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Overall, his numbers are very similar to exactly how they have been the past two seasons - and I would expect that to continue.
Don't be fooled by Mfon Udofia
As a Mfon Udofia owner this season, I should be happy with him. He is averaging 10.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Decent numbers for a freshman, no doubt. However, look a little closer - he is wildly inconsistent and has been barely worthy of ownership over the past few weeks. Moreover, just when he should have boosted his production - when Iman Shumpert went down with an injury - he saw a dip in his numbers. Over the past six games, Udofia is averaging just 8.5 points and 2.5 assists. And those numbers are skewed because of a 17-point, seven-rebound, three-assist game he had against Winston-Salem State.
Dorenzo Hudson is not a one-hit wonder
Sure, Hudson didn't really come onto the fantasy radar until his 41-point outing over the weekend against Seton Hall. However, don't dismiss him immediately as a player who put forth a fluke effort and won't repeat it. Hudson has been a consistent contributor over the past five or six games. In fact, over the last six games, Hudson is averaging 18.5 points per contest. And while you might think that a 41-point performance skews that, keep in mind that the six-game stretch also includes a five-point game. With Malcolm Delaney set to miss another week or so, Hudson is primed for a big short-term future.
Will the real Yancy Gates please stand up?
Gates came into the season as a potential every-week starter, a player who could be counted on for 15 points and eight rebounds on a nightly basis. However, he might be the most mind-boggling player in the Big East. Seriously, whoever owns Gates must be pulling his/her hair out right about now. Here are his point totals for the past eight games: 8, 18, 7, 0, 16, 6, 10, 16. It ends up averaging out to a serviceable 10.1 points and 6.0 rebounds, but his inconsistency is maddening. Plus, there was that whole situation when he came off the bench and played just four minutes in one game. Gates has averaged 13.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in the past two games, so his troubles might be behind him.
Ashton Gibbs is becoming a must-start
Pittsburgh always seems to pull random studs out of the woodwork, and this year looks like no different. Gibbs has been on an absolute roll lately, scoring 47 points in two games last week, and continuing that against Cincinnati on Monday, scoring 19 points. Furthermore, he has knocked down 15 of his last 22 three-point attempts over the past six games. Gibbs is also contributing decently in the rebounding and assist department. Overall, Gibbs has scored in single-digits only twice this season and has scored at least 14 points in every game but three. If he continues to shoot the way he has lately, he might become a must-have guard all season.
Dominique Jones isn't as consistent as he seems
Some would call this nit-picking, but that's what fantasy titles are made of. Jones has put up very impressive numbers this season, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists heading into Tuesday. However, he has been somewhat inconsistent. Jones opened the season with 13 points, then averaged 21 points over the next four games. He followed that by averaging 11.3 points in the next three contests, and 23.0 in the following four. Last game, Jones scored only five points. It's impossible not to start Jones because he's one of the most productive guards in the country, but he can be hit-or-miss at times.
Is Deonta Vaughn back to work?
Sorry to use Cincinnati again, but the Bearcats have been a fantasy nightmare this season. Vaughn was one of the most productive guards in the Big East last season, and was highly-rated coming into this year. Those that drafted him early, though, are probably none too happy with his meager 11.4 points per game - the lowest output of his four-year career. If you were patient with him, though, it is paying off. Vaughn has scored 17 points in three consecutive games, his three highest-scoring performances of the season. Vaughn is still serviceable (for a small non-point guard) in the assist and rebounding department, and could be back to normal after a sluggish start.