College Hoops Barometer: Risers & Fallers

The busted sneaker heard round the world has thrown the college basketball world upside down. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Zion Williamson's Nike inexplicably burst at the seams last week just 34 seconds into the rivalry game with UNC. Williamson was hurt, and has not played since due to what has been called a knee sprain. Duke's certain place in the Final Four come March has now been cast into doubt. Will Williamson return to health? It appears he has avoided serious injury. Would he return and risk further injury, knowing he is almost assuredly the top pick in this June's NBA Draft? Everyone has an opinion.

Seats for that UNC-Duke game sold at Super Bowl level prices, yet Zion, R.J. Barrett and company won't see a dime of those profits. Should college athletes get to reap some of the rewards and get some of the profits? Everyone has an opinion.

Another interesting debate concerns the "One and Done" rule. Should players be forced to go to college for one year (or sit out, or play overseas) before being eligible to play in the NBA? The "One and Done" rule may be the first domino to fall by the wayside.

While I believe Zion will play if deemed healthy enough, it is ultimately his choice whether he wants to come back, and Zion does have an $8 million insurance policy in case his stock plummets a certain amount in the upcoming draft. That is not uncommon. What is common is the refrain that something needs to be done about the current system in the NCAA, and the relationship between college hoops and the pros. For most student-athletes, those that don't end up going to the pros, the education received, along with room and board, is an incredible reward that will ideally serve them for their entire lives.

However, college sports, and college basketball and football in particular, can be money-making machines. For a player like Zion Williamson, he does not need the NCAA, but the NCAA certainly reaps the benefits of him having to go to college for one year. Basketball is different from football, too; there are only five players on the court, only 12 on an active roster. In cases like Zion, why shouldn't he be allowed to have endorsements, if Duke and the NCAA are making money hand over fist because of his mere presence? I love college basketball; there is nothing like March Madness, and the NCAA Tournament will be better if Zion Williamson is in it. However, anyone 18 years of age can play daily fantasy college sports and wager on college games in multiple states now. But Zion, 18 years of age, can't profit because he's getting one year of college and is technically viewed as an "amateur?" There is only an illusion of amateurism in this day and age, and the hypocrisy is evident. I don't have all the answers, but something has got to change.

Let's look at who else is making news in this week's College Hoops Barometer.

UPGRADE

Jon Axel Gudmundsson, G, Davidson - Gudmundsson has been channeling his inner Steph Curry of late, including three dynamite games in a row. The junior was already having an impressive season prior to this recent stretch, in which he is averaging 22.3 points per contest. However, he is much more than just a scorer, including tallying a triple-double in last Friday's win at Rhode Island. Gudmundsson notched 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 dimes in the 75-66 triumph. Not even Mr. Curry accomplished that feat during his time with the Wildcats. Davidson has won eight of its last 10 games and appears to have the look of a tourney team heading into March.

Cassius Winston, G, Michigan State - Winston was a natural choice for an upswing in production following the injury to center Nick Ward, and Winston has not disappointed. In the two games since Ward broke his hand, Winston is averaging 27.5 points per contest. Already leading the Big Ten in assists by a wide margin, Winston has stepped his game up even more, dishing out nearly eight assists per game over the last month. The Spartans are riding a five-game winning streak, punctuated by Sunday's road win at Michigan. MSU will likely need Ward if they want to make the Final Four, but Winston is staking his claim to Big Ten Player of the Year with this recent stretch of superior play.

Jordan Ford, G, Saint Mary's - Ford has been superb all season for the Gaels, but this upgrade also allows me to mention two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali. Did you know that Ali played in 97 games throughout four years for Saint Mary's? A scrappy 6-foot-4 guard, Ali (known then as Hershal Gilmore) averaged seven points per game during his senior campaign. Ali played from 1992 through 1996 for the Gaels. While the role player Ali clearly made the right choice to pursue acting, Ford has been an elite star for Saint Mary's. He leads the West Coast Conference in scoring, and is his second on his team in assists. He has been pouring it on of late, averaging 23 points over his last four contests, all wins for the Gaels. This conference is all Gonzaga, but Ford has still led the Gaels to a 10-4 conference record.

Anthony Lawrence, G/F, Miami - Lawrence has been a productive, versatile player during his time at Miami. Despite the struggles of the Hurricanes as a team during his senior campaign, Lawrence has been able to showcase his many talents. He has been particularly active of late, notching double-doubles in each of the last two games. Perhaps even more impressive, he's dished out 15 assists over that span, nearly tallying a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in Saturday's win over Georgia Tech. Lawrence is third in scoring and second in rebounding and dishing for Miami this season. Lawrence appears to be playing his best basketball as his senior season winds down.

CHECK STATUS

Tremont Waters, G, LSU - The Tigers are for real, as witnessed by wins over Tennessee and Texas A&M without the services of their best player. Waters has been sidelined due to illness, but the Tigers still managed impressive victories nevertheless. LSU is deep; guards Skylar Mays and Ja'vonte Smart combined for 52 of the 82 points for LSU in the victory over UT. Meanwhile, big men Naz Reid and Kavell Bigby-Williams both had double-doubles in the physical, dominating win over Texas A&M. Waters should be back shortly, and if he is healthy, the Tigers are a legitimate Final Four contender.

Marcus Evans, G, VCU - The Rice transfer hasn't been asked to score as much since coming over to the Rams, but that doesn't mean he can't do it when called upon. The junior has scored 45 points over the last two games, both wins for VCU. In fact, the Rams are riding a nine-game winning streak. Despite averaging more than five points less per game than he did at Rice, Evans still leads the Rams in scoring with 13.9 points per tilt. He also leads the squad in assists, and appears to have fit in seamlessly with the Rams on the court. Evans and the Rams are flying under the radar at this point in time, but they might be a force come tourney time.

Sedrick Barefield, G, Utah - Barefield has done his best to keep Utah afloat. The senior poured in 33 points in a win at Washington State on Saturday, tying his season high. Barefield also leads the squad in dishing, handing out four dimes per contest. That places him ninth in the Pac-12 in assists. Barefield loves to hoist shots, though, particularly from deep, where he is connecting on over 40 percent of his treys. Barefield is sixth in the conference in scoring, and 10th in three-point field goal percentage. The Utes will likely need to run the table in the regular season to have any shot at the NCAA Tournament, but Barefield at least gives them a fighting chance.

Carlton Bragg, F, New Mexico - Bragg has been well traveled in his collegiate career. He spent two seasons at Kansas, playing mostly a bench role. He left the Jayhawks for Arizona State, but never appeared in a single game for the Sun Devils, transferring after about six months at the school. He ended up at New Mexico, where he has had his best season as a junior. Bragg is averaging 10.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the Lobos. The potential is evident; Bragg recorded a 17-point, 16-rebound double-double last game versus San Jose State. However, he has also fouled out of the last two contests, and has been held in single-digits in scoring in three of the last four tilts. Despite being a junior, Bragg has not played an abundance of minutes, leaving several areas of his game still raw and untapped. The talent is there, but Bragg needs some polish, stability and consistency.

DOWNGRADE

Kerwin Roach, G, Texas - The leading scorer for the Longhorns has been suspended indefinitely due to a violation of team rules. Roach not only leads Texas in scoring at 15 points per contest, but is also managing 4.5 boards and 3.1 assists per game. Texas is going to have a hard time making a late-season push for the NCAA Tournament without him, though Roach still may return before the season is finished. Sophomore Jase Febras tallied 15 points, five rebounds and three assists in Saturday's loss at Oklahoma, playing 10 more minutes than his season average. He appears to be in line for the most direct jump in playing time as long as Roach is out.

Dean Wade, F, Kansas State - The Wildcats had a chance to take the inside track towards a Big 12 regular crown Monday, as well as severely diminish the hopes of rival Kansas to extend its streak of 14-straight championships. Instead, the Wildcats sputtered, losing 64-49 to KU, and leaving the door open for the Jayhawks in the process. Wade in particular had a poor game, turning the ball over four times while fouling out in just 25 minutes of action. The preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, Wade has not lived up to expectations as a senior. He has once again battled foot injuries which have limited his effectiveness. His scoring is down over three points from a season ago, though he has managed to remain a steady rebounder and assist man for the Wildcats. K-State still has enough firepower to make some noise in the big dance, but Wade has not been the dominant force he was expected to be.

Efe Odigie, F, UTEP - Odigie may miss the rest of the season after injuring his ankle in practice. The double-double dynamo has been one of the few bright spots for the Miners this season, averaging 12.7 points and 10.1 rebounds. The freshman leads Conference USA in rebounding. Fellow freshman Jordan Lathon had an absurd stat line without Odigie in the lineup last game. Lathon poured in 32 points in a double OT loss to Rice, while also snatching 18 rebounds. Both numbers were season highs. Lathon and senior Paul Thomas will likely be asked to shoulder the additional rebounding load in Odigie's absence.

Reid Travis, F, Kentucky - The Wildcats are playing inspired basketball of late, riding a four-game winning streak which started with a dominating win versus then No. 1 Tennessee. Travis tallied 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in that victory. However, Travis has been sidelined over the last two games due to a knee injury, and he may be forced to miss the remainder of the regular season for UK at the very least. The absence of Travis, a graduate transfer from Stanford, does limit Kentucky's size in the short term, though sophomore Nick Richards grabbed 15 rebounds in place of Travis in Tuesday's win over Arkansas. Nevertheless, Travis is fourth in scoring and second in rebounding for the Wildcats, and has proven to be a key cog in Kentucky's surging success. It looks like they will have to make due without Travis for a pivotal rematch at Tennessee.