Along with finding surprises and making savvy pick-ups throughout the season, another key to winning a fantasy championship is avoiding busts and disappointments in the draft. This year has seen no shortage of players who have not lived up to expectations, whether by not playing to their hyped potential or simply seeing a dip in production as compared to last season. The list includes freshmen who are not making the anticipated impact as well as returnees who are mired in a slump. Either way, if you still own one of the players on this list, it might be time to cut your losses and move on - no matter when you drafted them.
John Henson, F, North Carolina Tar Heels
Henson was one of the top-ranked recruits in the country last season, and was supposed to step in and be a potential starter on the wing this season for the Tar Heels. However, that has certainly not come to fruition. Henson has not played more than 19 minutes in a game this season, and has scored in double-figures just once (against Presbyterian). Overall, he is averaging 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds. He's 6-foot-10 and extremely talented, but he is struggling mightily.
Milton Jennings, F, Clemson Tigers
Another freshman that came into college with high expectations and has not come close to living up to them. Jennings was one of the most-hyped recruits in Clemson history and was primed to line up next to Trevor Booker and form a dynamite duo. In his third game of the season, Jennings had 14 points in 16 minutes - but has completely fallen off since then. Prior to playing 15 minutes against Boston College, he played a combined 14 minutes against South Carolina State and Duke, totaling two points and six rebounds. On the season, he is averaging 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds.
Iman Shumpert, G, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
After an up-and-down freshman season, Shumpert was one of the major candidates to have a true breakout year. Last season, he had double-figures in 16 games, but he has managed at least 10 points just two times this year. Part of that has to do with missing six games due to an injury, but his numbers are down across the board. Last season, he averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists. This season? 8.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 3.7 apg. Some of his shots have gone to freshmen Derrick Favors and Mfon Udofia, but there is no excuse for Shumpert to be just fifth on the Yellow Jackets in scoring.
Tristan Spurlock, F, Virginia Cavaliers
I know this isn't the first time I've mentioned Spurlock in a column this season, but his level of disappointment deserves another shout-out. Heading into the season, everyone expected Spurlock to become a sidekick to Sylven Landesberg and rack up plenty of points under new coach Tony Bennett. When I spoke to Bennett in the summer, he only reinforced those thoughts. That couldn't be further from the truth, though. Spurlock has appeared in only seven of 13 games and is averaging 2.4 points and 1.0 rebound per game.
Terrence Jennings, F/C, Louisville Cardinals
A prime candidate for a breakout campaign in the preseason, Jennings has shown flashes of his potential but still remains way too inconsistent to be a fantasy option. During a stretch in December, Jennings scored in double-figures in four consecutive games, but those are the only times he has hit the 10-point threshold. Despite not playing more than 17 minutes in a game yet, Jennings has managed to total 28 fouls in 16 games. That's just one of his problems so far. Overall, he is averaging 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds.
Tory Jackson, G, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
I understand that Jackson might be the most important piece when it comes to Notre Dame's success, but he is no longer a bona fide fantasy option. Stay with me here. On the surface, his 5.3 assists per game look nice, but overall he is not impressive when it comes to numbers. He is shooting 36.5% from the field and averaging just 8.2 points. A season ago, he averaged 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists, but the scoring and rebounding numbers are down significantly this season.
Sean Evans, F, St. John's Red Storm
I thought about using Seton Hall's Eugene Harvey or Pittsburgh's Dante Taylor, but everyone knew the Pirates would be a quagmire this year in terms of fantasy production and I've used enough freshmen already. Therefore, I'm going with Evans. Last season, Evans was a double-figure scorer and a player who averaged more than seven rebounds per game. However, this season, he is down to 7.4 points and 6.7 rebounds. And there's more. In the past eight games, Evans is averaging just 5.1 points. He has scored in double-figures just four times all season, and grabbed double-figure rebounds just twice. With the addition of Anthony Mason Jr., those numbers might get worse.