At this point, I've feel like I've profiled pretty much everyone worth mentioning, so I'm taking a slightly different approach this week. The fantasy playoffs have either tipped off already or get started this week, so it's a good time to look at remaining schedules and see who has the best match ups during fantasy crunch time.
Big Ten
Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers have lost seven in a row, but they do have a pair of emerging players and a schedule featuring games with Minnesota, Iowa, and Northwestern. Over the last 15 games, Verdell Jones III is averaging 17.1 points and has scored at least 11 points 14 times, including seven 20-point outbursts. He's been very aggressive, which has resulted in 113 free throw attempts during that span, and VJ3 has knocked down 78.8% of those attempts from the stripe. His three-point shooting has been generally poor this year, but he's made 8 of 20 (40.0%) in the last six games. Jones has also been providing 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists during that hot streak, making him a strong contributor down the stretch. Freshman Christian Watford has fought through the freshman wall to average 15.0 points in the last four games. He's scored in double figures in 18 of his last 21 games and has three double-doubles this season. His field goal percentage has been generally poor (39.8% for the year), but IU's lack of inside talent guarantees Watford will get the bulk of the attempts no matter what. His rebounding has also fallen off, but against lesser competition, Watford might be able to get back to cleaning the glass.
Iowa Hawkeyes
First off, kudos to Aaron Fuller for posting 30 points and 13 boards against Michigan after I mentioned him last week. I wasn't nearly as pleased after Purdue held him to two points in the previous game. Anyway, the Hawkeyes have four games left, and three of them come versus the bottom three defenses in terms of points allowed per game in Big Ten games (Minnesota, Indiana, and Northwestern). Obviously the roster isn't overflowing with fantasy goodness, but these matchups provide ample opportunity for production. Outside of Fuller, guard Matt Gatens is coming off a season-high 21 and has 17 double-digit scoring efforts this season. He's also a streaky three-point shooter and made 5 of 7 in the overtime loss to Michigan. Freshman point guard Cully Payne has also played well lately with at least 11 points in three of the last four games. He's tallied 23 assists over that span as well.
Northwestern Wildcats
Losses to Iowa and Penn State have all but killed Northwestern's chances to make the tournament, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better late-season schedule. After a matchup with Wisconsin, they finish out with Iowa, Penn State, Chicago State, and Indiana. That makes guys like John Shurna, Drew Crawford, and Michael Thompson great options, but you may also want to check out Jeremy Nash and Luka Mirkovic if you're in a bind. Nash had been more of a defensive stopper during his Wildcat career, but he's shown flashes of offensive prowess this year with 11 double-digit scoring games. He also posted a double-double in the first matchup with the Hoosiers, and he averages 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals to help out in multiple categories. Mirkovic brings center eligibility to the table and has scored in double figures in four of the last five games. He has three double-doubles on the year and has posted five games with double-digit rebounds since January 7.
Purdue Boilermakers
As the Boilers make a push for the regular season title, the schedule lays out pretty nicely for them. Four of their five games come against teams in the bottom five in points allowed in Big Ten play, and they face all their tough opponents in Mackey Arena. So don't get too cute and even think of sitting the likes of E'Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson, or Robbie Hummel (even on the heels of his four-point game versus Ohio State). With no one else on the team averaging more than 6.0 points, it would be risky to entertain thoughts of inserting other Boilers into your lineup. For what it's worth, senior guard Keaton Grant is coming off of a season-high 13 points against the Buckeyes. If he can keep it up, he's worth a look in the season's final week with games against Indiana and Penn State.
Wisconsin Badgers
Of the teams in contention for the title, Wisconsin has the easiest road with none of their opponents ranking better than sixth in points against during conference play. Trevon Hughes is a must-start, and backcourt mate Jason Bohannon made me look smart for recommending him last week by pouring in 30 against IU. He now has at least 15 points in five straight and has scored in double figures in 11 of his last 13 contests. Jordan Taylor rounds out Wisconsin's trio of talented guards with at least 11 points in five of his last seven. Both Bohannon and Taylor chip in a few rebounds and assists on a regular basis. On the interior, Keaton Nankivil had at least nine points and five rebounds in eight consecutive games, but the return of Jon Leuer ended that streak against Minnesota. Leuer clearly has some rust to shake off but some of Wisconsin's remaining opponents might be able to help him build his confidence back up.
Big 12
Baylor Bears
With five games against the bottom half of the league's defenses on the slate, Baylor should enter the tournament with some momentum. LaceDarius Dunn, Tweety Carter, and Ekpe Udoh should be in your lineups regardless, but a potential sleeper might be Quincy Acy. The 6-foot-7 soph is shooting 68.9% from the field for the season and has 12 double-digit scoring efforts in 25 games. He has at least eight points in 11 of the last 13 contests and recently posted his first double-double of the year with 12 points and 11 boards against Missouri. Acy is averaging 4.8 rebounds this year, and his work on the offensive glass often results in easy putbacks and dunks.
Kansas Jayhawks
With three of the league's worst defenses next up on the schedule, don't expect the Jayhawks to relinquish their No. 1 ranking anytime soon. That's also good news for their myriad of fantasy stars. KU's big four (Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich, Xavier Henry, and Marcus Morris) are surefire options, but Markieff Morris is also worth monitoring. He's averaging 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds over the last three games, and he may be in line for some solid garbage time minutes (and stats) if the Jayhawks jump out to comfortable leads. Obviously I'm not saying you start the reserve forward over more established options, but the schedule makes him intriguing.
Kansas State Wildcats
In addition to their upcoming rematch with the Jayhawks, K-State also has games with Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Iowa State, all of whom rank toward the bottom of the Big 12 in points allowed during conference action. That's certainly good news for the backcourt tandem of Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente. In fact, Clemente scored a season-high 30 points on six three-pointers in the first matchup with ISU. It should also provide an opportunity for Jamar Samuels to get back on track after being held to single-digits in three of the last seven games. Curtis Kelly enters on more of a roll with eight double-digit scoring efforts in the last nine contests, including five straight. If you want to really take a gamble, forward Dominique Sutton tied a career high with 21 points in KSU's last game against Nebraska. He had just six games in double figures prior to that outburst, so temper your enthusiasm even against more forgiving defenses.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The good news is Nebraska plays the three worst defenses in the league. The bad news is Nebraska is...well, Nebraska. Ryan Anderson seems the most likely fantasy candidate given that he leads the team in scoring with 10.7 points per game and he's coming off of a season-high 22 against Kansas State. Consistency hasn't exactly been his forte this year though, as just two games prior he was held scoreless against Baylor. Anderson does add 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest to help his overall fantasy profile. Lance Jeter doesn't score much but just had 12 dimes against K-State, so he's a potential option for assist help. Sophomore Brandon Richardson also has 11 double-digit scoring efforts, but despite the schedule, it's tough to recommend any of the Huskers with much confidence.
Texas A&M Aggies
Four of A&M's games come against the bottom half of the Big 12 in terms of points allowed during conference play, and the Aggies are playing as well as just about anyone in the league right now. Donald Sloan has been incredibly consistent and is a must-start. On the inside, Bryan Davis has rebounded nicely after a slow start with nine games with at least nine points in A&M's last 12 contests. He's posted a pair of double-doubles this season and has double-digit rebounds in three of the last four. Davis is also a solid contributor on D with 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. I also profiled sophomore forward David Loubeau a couple weeks ago, and he continues to impress by scoring at least 13 points in five of the last six games. Over that stretch, Loubeau is averaging 14.3 rebounds and 7.0 rebounds, numbers which could be the norm against lesser opponents.
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*All statistics through the games of February 18.