The end of fantasy seasons present challenges for the fantasy writer (as if we weren't challenged enough). Do you start looking toward next season? Recap the current season? Or just keep doing what you have been doing all season and hope that there are enough owners in contention that they are all reading. Well, I know you are reading, but I decided to stop trying to unearth centers who are averaging five points in the Big South. It's time to recap and provide a top 15 list of centers for the season. On Wednesday morning, I took a statistical snapshot of the 51 centers I have profiles this season and ranked them each on field goal percentage, free throw percentage, points, rebounds, and blocks. Yes, I know that steals and assists are often part of fantasy leagues, but you don't often draft your center based on those stats. Today, I present to you number 15 to nine. In two weeks, I will complete the list in the final version of Think On Center of the season. If nothing else, this will teach you patience. It's about time!
15. Jeff Foote, Cornell Big Red
Cornell has the assets that could make them a tough out in the NCAA tournament. Ryan Wittman is a dead eye shooter and Louis Dale provides superior guard play. However, it may the team's seven-footer that gives them a leg (or a Foote, more precisely) up on the competition. The continued health and productivity of Foote has been a big reason why the Big Red have forged a solid lead in the only conference that doesn't have a season ending tournament. Foote is averaging 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds with 1.9 blocks added. Over his last eight games, if Foote decided to shoot the ball, you pretty much knew it was going in. He has made 45 of his last 63 shots for 71.4% and is hitting 61.6% on the season. That high rate of conversion does not extend to the free throw line, where the big man's curse hits for 56.5%. The big man only has 22 rebounds over his last four games, but Cornell has won all four (after Foote had 11 boards in the Feb. 12 loss against Penn). If Cornell gets the right match up in the tournament, Foote could be a player to draft.
14. Adnan Hodzic, Lipscomb Bisons
Hodzic, a 6-foot-9 junior from Bosnia, was a known commodity coming into the season, but he has improved to such an extent that he may be Player of the Year in the Atlantic Sun. He has a healthy lead on the scoring race at 22 points and is hitting 59.4% of his shots. Although he is coming off a 20-rebound game against Kennesaw State, he is averaging only 8.5 rebounds and was dragged down in the rankings because he is not a shot blocker (0.4 blocks) and is not a great free throw shooter (67.4%). But why focus on the negatives? Hodzic is a dominant low post scorer who has at least 10 field goals in each of his last five games. He has also strung together 10 straight games of 20 or more points. He had a season-high 34 points in a one-point loss to Arizona on Dec. 21, so he showed that he could play with the big boys. The Bisons are currently tied for second in conference and have won their last three, and seven of their last nine.
13. Brian Qvale, Montana Grizzlies
Perhaps my ranking system could use some work because in most leagues Hodzic would be much more valuable than the 6-foot-11 Qvale. However, compared side by side, Qvale has the Bisons' center beat in field goal percentage, free throw percentage and blocks. Granted, he scores a dozen points less per game and at 6.8 rebounds per game can not be considered dominant on the boards, but the junior is having a nice season. Truth be told, he played his best at the beginning of the season before missing two games to be with his ailing father. After four double-doubles in his first seven games, he hasn't had one since returning to the team. Nevertheless, Qvale only has three games this season in which he didn't block a shot. He had a season-high six rejections in a Jan. 8 win over Eastern Washington. The Grizzlies are in third place in the Big Sky, so with a little luck and a potential win over Weber State, Qvale could play in a first round NCAA touranment game.
12. Greg Monroe, Georgetown Hoyas
Monroe doesn't really need to worry whether he will play in the NCAA tournament. The Hoyas will make the field (barring disaster), but all eyes will be on the 6-foot-11 native of New Orleans. The Hoyas imploded in Monroe's freshman season and have only won four of their last nine games in the Big East, but they have impressive wins over Duke and Villanova to boost their resume. Monroe has been showing off his variety of skills and would have rated higher had assists been part of the equation. He had 12 dimes in a win over Providence and is averaging 3.7 assists, which was by far the most of the centers profiles (Baylor's Ekpe Udoh was second at 2.6 dimes). Monroe has had 30 assists in his past six games. He has been no slouch in the categories that did count. The sophomore is averaging 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. Will this type of production be enough to lure him to the NBA? It's hard to see someone who becomes so passive at times being very successful at the next level, but Monroe certainly has intriguing skills.
11. Solomon Alabi, Florida State Seminoles
Speaking of the NBA, their scouts seem to love bigs who may not provide the best production. Alabi has a "pro body" so some scouting services have the 7-foot-1, 251 pound Nigerian as a prospect. I don't see it, but he has improved in his junior year to be a productive fantasy player. Alabi's 12-point and 6.5-rebound averages are modest, but he is a fine shot blocker (2.4 blocks) and has truly improved his free throw stroke in his three years at Tallahassee. This year he is converting 81.7% of his freebies, which was fourth best of the centers I looked at. Of late, Alabi has been hampered by foul trouble and has submitted consecutive six-point stinkers. He does have three double-doubles and blocked seven shots on Valentine's Day against Boston College. The NBA may get Alabi away from the Seminoles so he can serve out a rookie contract starting next year, but Alabi has a long way to go. Unless he needs the money (and who doesn't?), he might enjoy another year as the main man for the Seminoles.
10. Eli Holman, Detroit Titans
Say what you want about Kelvim Sampson, the guy knew how to recruit. If only he could have stayed within the rules to get his prospects like Holman. The 6-foot-9 center escaped the Hoosiers after just six games and went north to Detroit to play in the Horizon. In his first year as a Titan, Holman is looking like a player to watch in the next few years. He is averaging 11.4 points on 60.3% shooting, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. Holman has collected nine double-doubles, but doesn't have two in a row since November. Fouls have been an issue in Horizon play and Holman has been whistled at least four times in seven of his last nine games (although he only fouled out once). Hopefully, Holman learns some tricks to the trade as he becomes an upperclassman that will allow him to stay on the court for longer stretches. He has Player of the Year talent.
9. Jason Love, Xavier Musketeers
In his four years as a Musketeer, Love has graduated from D'Artagnan to an official member like Aramis. As a starter this year, the 6-foot-9 rebounding machine has provided 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. Love has also become a lynch pin in the Xavier interior defense and has blocked 1.7 shots. He has seven double-doubles, including three straight in November. Love has also been scoring well lately and has provided 66 points over his last four games. His interior presence has no doubt helped Jordan Crawford (like Holman, a Hoosier refuge) who is scoring 20 points in his first year with Xavier. Love was always one of the best per minute rebounders in the country and as a senior he has shown the ability to score and block shots as well. Xavier is always a tough out in the tournament and Love should be in the middle of their efforts.