They say players make their biggest strides between their freshman and sophomore campaigns. And then there is that change from sophomore to junior when a player is suddenly an upperclassman with experience who may have to teach younger players how things work. That role continues during a player's senior year, but that is also a time when many realize that this is their last chance…the last chance to play in the NCAA Tournament and, for most, their last chance to play organized basketball. Not all of these seniors came out of nowhere, although some certainly have been off the radar for the last three years, but all of these players have taken on a leadership role for their team and their fantasy numbers prove it.
Aubrey Coleman, G, Houston Cougars
Aubrey Coleman came to Houston during the 2008-2009 campaign and immediately stepped into the go-to-scorer role. The 6-foot-4 guard ended up leading the team with 19.4 points per game. Surely, everybody expected Coleman to have a solid senior season, but with the return of fellow guard Kelvin Lewis, the status of the team's top scorer was up for grabs heading into the 2009-2010 season. However, Coleman has certainly stepped it up for his last season with the Cougars. He is averaging an incredible 26.2 points per game and keeps getting better. But Coleman is more than a pure scorer, he also ranks second on the team in rebounds and assists and is a superb defender who averages 3.2 steals per game.
Jonathan Gibson, G, New Mexico State Aggies
Jonathan Gibson has been a very important piece of New Mexico State team for three years. Yet Gibson has saved the best for last. Gibson must compete with Jahmar Young for shots, but those two have taken over the backcourt and led the Aggies to the top of the Western Athletic Conference standings. Gibson averaged 12.2 points as a sophomore and 14.1 points as a junior, but his scoring output has jumped to 18.8 thus far during his senior campaign. Perhaps just as importantly, Gibson is becoming a better passer and is being more effective on the glass.
Kyle Gibson, G, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Few saw the success that Louisiana Tech has had so far this season. The Bulldogs are currently 18-4 and the leadership of Kyle Gibson has been the main reason. Gibson has been a good scorer since his sophomore campaign, but he has taken it to a new level as a senior. Gibson is averaging 21.6 points per game and can easily eclipse the 30 point mark when his long range shot is falling. Gibson's scoring is nothing new, but this year he has also turned into a much better passer and will also help out on the glass…making him a fantasy owners dream.
Clevin Hannah, G, Wichita State Shockers
Clevin Hannah's scoring numbers are nothing special, but the Wichita State guard has certainly taken over the leadership role and has helped the Shockers reach a surprising 19-4 overall record. Hannah is averaging a healthy 12.4 points per game, which is tied for a team high, but it is his assist and rebounding numbers that have improved the most. Hannah is dishing out 5.0 assists per game and his turnover numbers have gone down considerably. The Shockers pretty much hit the glass by committee and Hannah is a big part of that since he is on the floor over 30 minutes per game.
Calvin Lee, F, Towson Tigers
Towson is just having an awful season, but senior forward Calvin Lee has truly come out of nowhere to become a major contributor for the Tigers. During his first year with Towson in 2008-2009 after spending a couple years at the junior college ranks, Lee averaged just 17.1 minutes per game and only tallied 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. As a senior Lee has played a much larger role and is averaging 11.6 points and 5.7 rebounds. While he will never be a household name, Lee could be a great pickup in some leagues heading into the end of the season…especially in leagues that also count blocked shots.
Jason Love, F/C, Xavier Musketeers
Xavier is a guard-orientated team this year and that has put a lot of pressure on 6-foot-9 center Jason Love to produce in the paint. In year's past Love has been content to be a roleplayer, or at least he has not had much of a choice. He has never totaled over a seven point or six rebound per game average during his career with the Musketeers until now. Love has become Xavier's go-to-guy under the basket and is doing very well, averaging 11.0 points and 8.7 rebounds. In some leagues Love would not have been drafted, but he is certainly worth picking up now.
Chris Oakes, C, San Jose State Spartans
Chris Oakes originally went to Pepperdine where he spent a year and a few games. In 2007 he headed to San Jose State where, for the most part, he failed to live up to the hype. During his junior season with the Spartans, Oakes was the fifth scoring option and only tallied 8.2 points per game. This year he has become the main inside scoring threat and is averaging 11.4 points per game. While that may not be enough points for some fantasy owners, Oakes is a beast on the glass and will grab about ten boards per contest. He is passing better than he ever has and is even more valuable in leagues that count blocked shots.
Ike Okoye, F, Boise State Broncos
With the absence of forwards Mark Sanchez and Paul Noonan, somebody had to step into the BoiseState frontcourt and become a dominating interior force. While Ike Okoye has been around for a while, it was not until he transferred from Wyoming to BoiseState that he started to see a decent amount of minutes. But he was still way down the list of forwards and centers last year with the Broncos. This year he has been the one frontcourt player that has risen up to the challenge and is having a great year. Thus far he is averaging 13.1 points and 8.8 rebounds, although he has been quite inconsistent.
Andy Polka, F, Loyola Chicago Ramblers
Loyola is not having a good year in the Horizon League. In fact, they have lost seven of their last eight contests. Andy Polka is not a scorer, but the 6-foot-7 forward is on the floor over 30 minutes per game and is the typical glue guy. Polka is a superb rebounder and easily leads the team with 8.9 rebounds per contest and is also a fine passer and is second on the team in assists. While Polka's numbers have been down during the Ramblers losing streak, the schedule gets easier in the coming weeks and Polka should tally a few more double-doubles before the season is over.
David Schneider, G, William & Mary Tribe
David Schneider has always been a productive scorer at William & Mary, but the 6-foot-3 guard can do a lot more than that. Schneider can have some huge scoring outputs since he hoists up 8.1 three-pointers per game. Most of those attempts do not go in, but when he is hot, Schneider can easily put up over 20 points per game and he is averaging 16.3 on the season. What makes Schneider different this season is his ability to rebound. With the emergence of Sean McCurdy as the team's point guard, Schneider can spend more time off the ball and that has made him a much better rebounder. In fact, he leads the team with 6.2 boards per game and is always good for a few assists as well.