Last week, we took a look at some of the players who were heating up (exceeding their production by at least five points-rebounds-assists per game) or struggling (averaging five fewer points-rebounds-assists in the last five games) as we headed down the stretch towards the fantasy playoffs. With at least one week finished in many leagues, it’s time to look at a few more plays who are not the same player recently as they were the rest of the season. Of course, that could be a good or bad thing. This should help answer a few of the following pressing questions: Is a player struggling enough where I might not start him? Should I pick up this streaking player and pin my entire playoff hopes on him? I need a change, Jeff – what’s the scoop on some of the recent trends?
RISING
Dorenzo Hudson, G, Virginia Tech Hokies
We mentioned Hudson in this space back in early January, after Hudson hit 20 of 21 free throws en route to scoring 41 points against Seton Hall. Now, however, Hudson is a legit every-week starter for fantasy purposes. Since January 16, when Hudson scored 19 points against Florida State, he is averaging 16.7 points and has scored at least 18 points on six occasions in that stretch. He has also increased his production even more recently, scoring more than 20 points in two of his last three games. Hudson is taking more shots, attempting double-digit shots in 11 of his last 14 games after only doing it once in his first 11 contests.
Andre Young, G, Clemson Tigers
Although the injury to Demontez Stitt might not have been beneficial for the Tigers’ chances as a team, it did give everyone a chance to see what Young can do. Furthermore, even with Stitt’s return, Young is still putting up numbers. The diminutive 5-foot-9 guard has scored in double-figures in four straight games after doing it just five times all season prior to this recent stretch. In those four games, Young is averaging 13.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals. He is not a great shooter from the field, but finds ways to score and create for his teammates. Furthermore, he is an absolute pest defensively, a trait that will continue to get him minutes.
Dane Miller, F, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Going into the season, if you had said that Dane Miller would be a legitimate candidate for Big East Rookie of the Year, I’m not sure anyone would have believed you. After all, there were plenty of McDonald’s All-Americans and five-star recruits on Big East rosters. With his recent play, though, Miller has tossed his hat into the ring. Miller has scored in double-figures in 11 of his last 15 games after doing it only once in his first 11 games. Since a scoreless effort against Georgetown on January 23, Miller is averaging 12.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Interestingly, that stretch doesn’t even include his 26-point, eight-rebound, six-assist effort against Villanova or his 26-point outing vs. Providence.
FALLING
Sylven Landesberg, G, Virginia Cavaliers
As goes Landesberg, so do the Cavaliers. When Virginia went on an eight-game winning streak earlier this season, Landesberg was rolling, scoring at least 18 points in all but two of those games. However, Virginia has now lost four in a row and Landesberg has struggled likewise. In his last five games, the sophomore swingman is averaging just 13.6 points – and that includes a 28-point performance against Wake Forest two weeks ago. Additionally, Landesberg is struggling shooting the ball in the past month. He has shot better than 50 percent from the field in only one game since January 16. Landesberg was never all that efficient of a shooter, but he has missed 45 shots in his last past five games – while making just 24.
Edgar Sosa, G, Louisville Cardinals
With Louisville winning four of its last five games, one would expect that Sosa would be leading the charge. However, that has not been the case. After scoring at least 13 points on 12 different occasions in the first 19 games of the season, he has done it only once in the past six contests. In this recent stretch, Sosa is averaging just 9.7 points, as compared to the 13.0 he is averaging on the season as a whole. He has increased his assist output recently, averaging 5.5 assists in those six games, but that does not make up for the loss in scoring production. Sosa is shooting 38.4 percent in his last six games as well, far less than the 45.5 he is shooting for the season.
Lance Stephenson, G, Cincinnati Bearcats
If you were one of the people still starting Stephenson in your league, you might want to rethink that. Sure, he is capable of lighting up the scoreboard, like he did against Connecticut and Xavier earlier this season, but it is not even worth waiting anymore. Since a three-game stretch around the turn of the calendar year when Stephenson averaged 15.3 points, he has struggled mightily. In his last 10 games, the freshman guard is averaging just 9.5 points, with five games in single-digits and only two games of 50 percent-or-better shooting from the field. Although a 14-point, five-rebound performance two games ago might have given one hope, he followed that up with four points, zero rebounds and zero assists. “Born Ready,” methinks not.