This week the SEC/Pac-10 round up brings you a grab bag. We've got a couple of bigs including a resurgent center in Tennessee, notable freshmen, and assorted others that are worth knowing. Sometimes it is nice when the theme of the column is no theme at all. In fact, you could consider this the Jeet Kune Do column in which I grab from this site's other columns and, like water, the result is infinitely flexible. Either that, or I just picked a random bunch of players to look at and this Kung Fu mysticism is my last minute effort to tie it all together. I'll let you decide, but let's talk about some players!
A.J. Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt Commodores
After Ogilvy spent the middle of December coming off the bench as Festus Ezeli started, fantasy owners had to wonder what happened to the 6-foot-11 Aussie. They need wonder no more because since the start of SEC play, Ogilvy has made his triumphant return to both the starting lineup and fantasy relevance. In the last four games, not coincidentally Commodore wins, Ogilvy has averaged 19.0 points and 8.5 rebounds. That's more like it! On Jan. 23 against Auburn, Ogilvy provided a season-high five blocks to go along with 17 points and eight boards. With five more points, he will pass the venerable Will Purdue for 21st on Vandy's all-time scoring list. At season's end, Ogilvy's numbers should rival those of his sophomore season (15.3 points, 7.1 rebounds), and his December to misremember will be just that: a faded memory.
Kenny Boynton, Jr., G, Florida Gators
A few weeks ago when Florida gave Kentucky a nice battle, the announcer blithely said that if it weren't for John Wall, more people would be talking about Boynton. While that's certainly possible in a theoretical sense, it makes little actual sense. (The better point would have been if it weren't for Wall, more people would be talking about Eric Bledsoe.) Boynton certainly has potential, but he is a shooting guard, not a point like Wall, and he is shooting a very low percentage from the field (37.5% along with 26.7% on threes). The 6-foot-2 freshman has scored in double-figures in eight of his last nine games and had a season-high 28 points in a Jan. 9 loss at Vanderbilt that included six triples. With sophomore Erving Walker installed as the point guard, Boynton will have to improve his shooting to make a greater impact.
Bo Spencer, G, LSU Tigers
The start of the SEC conference play has not been kind to the Tigers. They have dug themselves an 0-5 hole and look to be a one-man team. That man is Tasmin Mitchell, but Spencer has provided some secondary scoring as well. The 6-foot-1 junior has been playing heavy minutes including all 40 in the last two games, but like Boynton is a shooting guard who isn't particularly adept at shooting. Spencer is converting just 34.0% of his shots and 27.4% from long range. He has only hit 50% of his shots in one game this season (on Dec. 19 in a win over Rice). Recently, sophomore Chris Bass has been in the starting lineup to provide some ball handling because Spencer is averaging more turnovers (3.4) than assists (3.0). The upside is that coach Trent Johnson has no one else, so Spencer will continue to provide 15.3 points.
Kodi Augustus, F, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Jarvis Varnado and Dee Bost garner the majority of fantasy attention for the Bulldogs, but Augustus, a 6-foot-8 junior, is steadily improving. While he plays in the shadow of the shot-blocking Varnado, Augustus is able to float on the perimeter and has shown himself to be a nice three-point shooter. Augustus is hitting 43.5% of his threes, and that figure was much higher before a recent slump in which he has hit just four of his last 16 long range attempts. Augustus is also an excellent free throw shooter, hitting 80% of his freebies. When Varnado is not on the court, Augustus is the Bulldogs' primary rebounder and provides 5.8 boards to go along with his 9.1 scoring average. While none of these numbers make him a lights out fantasy addition, he could be a sneaky guy to pick up in keeper leagues.
Nic Wise, G, Arizona Wildcats
Five months ago, I named Wise as the best fantasy prospect in the Pac 10. Perhaps not my best call considering the play of Landry Fields and Klay Thompson (numbers five and seven, respectively), but not my worst one (Abdul Gaddy hasn't been able to etch his way into fantasy respectability yet). I thought Wise would be the steady hand that would guide the Wildcats back into the NCAA tournament for the 25th straight year. While they may still make the Big Dance, Wise isn't more valuable than he was last year. His assists have actually fallen to 3.9 per game, while his scoring has remained largely the same (15.3). The 5-foot-10 senior has averaged 16.0 points in his last five games and he certainly hasn't been a bad fantasy choice, but maybe I should have known better seeing as he played 36.4 minutes per game last year.
Tyler Honeycutt, F, UCLA Bruins
Nothing has gone according to plan for the Bruins. They were picked as the potential third team in the Pac 10 prior to the season, but departures, injuries, and a general lack of direction have impeded the team. Even Honeycutt, as the freshman savior, was over-hyped. Yet, we may have written the Bruins and Honeycutt off too soon. The 6-foot-7, 178 lb native of Los Angeles has a nose for the ball and seems to finding his role in the offense. This past weekend when the Washington schools came south, Honeycutt hit seven of eight shots and added 16 rebounds and seven assists. He has had at least eight boards in four of his last five games. Honeycutt may be a better actual player than fantasy prospect, but if he continues to show an all-around game, he could be someone to watch.
Matthew Bryan-Amaning, F, Washington Huskies
On a team with noted shot takers Isaiah Thomas and Quincy Pondexter, the British born Bryan-Amaning's role is rather limited. The 6-foot-9 senior is supposed to supply some interior defense and rebounding. He is further challenged by a new role in which he comes off the bench while the aforementioned Gaddy gives the Huskies a three-guard lineup. Nevertheless, in some leagues, Bryan-Amaning counts as a center, and he does bring a handful of rebounds (5.2) and points (7.0). Sadly, the Husky big had his best game on Nov. 13 against Belmont when he had 23 points, seven boards, and five blocks. He did get a season-high 29 minutes off the bench against USC on Jan. 23 and provided eight points and six rebounds. Modest stats, yes, but in a Pac 10-heavy league, he could be worth a look.