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Three of the most heralded freshmen to join the NCAA ranks battled in Chapel Hill when the Kentucky Wildcats took on the North Carolina Tar Heels Saturday.
Kentucky first-year studs Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight, who led the NCAA in freshman scoring heading into the weekend, matched up with UNC freshman stud Harrison Barnes.
The Wildcats’ frosh combined for 24 points – 15 from Knight, while Barnes was 4 for 10 from the field for 12 points in the 75-73 Tar Heels win.
Those freshmen are part of a terrific new crop of players in college hoops this season. Here are some other first-year guys making a name for themselves in the NCAA.
Kyrie Irving, Duke Blue Devils
Irving may not be the best point guard in the country yet. But just wait until March when the Blue Devils lightning quick freshman has an ACC schedule under his belt. This guy has gone toe-to-toe with Jacob Pullen and Kalin Lucas, and came out on top.
Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State Buckeyes
Most basketball fans have heard of Sullinger, but Thomas is quickly becoming a star in his own right. Ohio State’s talented freshmen make up a terrific frontcourt combo. Sullinger is an elite post player with quickness and size in the paint. Thomas is a spark off the bench, scoring more than 13 points per game. His points per 40 minutes would be around 30 points per game – tops in the Big Ten.
Tobias Harris, Tennessee Volunteers
Harris is scoring almost 17 points a night and just earned SEC Freshmen of the Week. He scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the Vols’ 78-68 win over Villanova. He’ll go up against a physical Pitt squad on December 11.
Andre Stringer, LSU Tigers
The Tigers’ 5-foot-9 guard leads the team in scoring and assists, putting up 16 and 3 per game. Stringer must cut down on his turnovers, especially before going up against Central Michigan (Dec. 11) and its talented first-year star Trey Zeigler, who is scoring 16.5 points and pulling down six boards per game this season.
Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears
Baylor cracked the national stage last season, helping add a top recruit like Jones. The 6-foot-11 center is scoring just under 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds a night for the Bears. Jones could be a bigger part of the offense if guard LaceDarius Dunn misses time with a forearm injury. That push could make him the top pick in next year’s NBA Draft.
Travis McKie, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
McKie is making the Demon Deacs a sharp bet in the ACC. He scored 18 points and reeled in 11 rebounds in Saturday’s win over Holy Cross, bouncing back from a quiet night against Iowa. Wake Forest is getting 14 points and eight rebounds per from the 6-foot-7 forward.
What other freshmen are catching your eye this season?
Kentucky first-year studs Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight, who led the NCAA in freshman scoring heading into the weekend, matched up with UNC freshman stud Harrison Barnes.
The Wildcats’ frosh combined for 24 points – 15 from Knight, while Barnes was 4 for 10 from the field for 12 points in the 75-73 Tar Heels win.
Those freshmen are part of a terrific new crop of players in college hoops this season. Here are some other first-year guys making a name for themselves in the NCAA.
Kyrie Irving, Duke Blue Devils
Irving may not be the best point guard in the country yet. But just wait until March when the Blue Devils lightning quick freshman has an ACC schedule under his belt. This guy has gone toe-to-toe with Jacob Pullen and Kalin Lucas, and came out on top.
Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State Buckeyes
Most basketball fans have heard of Sullinger, but Thomas is quickly becoming a star in his own right. Ohio State’s talented freshmen make up a terrific frontcourt combo. Sullinger is an elite post player with quickness and size in the paint. Thomas is a spark off the bench, scoring more than 13 points per game. His points per 40 minutes would be around 30 points per game – tops in the Big Ten.
Tobias Harris, Tennessee Volunteers
Harris is scoring almost 17 points a night and just earned SEC Freshmen of the Week. He scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the Vols’ 78-68 win over Villanova. He’ll go up against a physical Pitt squad on December 11.
Andre Stringer, LSU Tigers
The Tigers’ 5-foot-9 guard leads the team in scoring and assists, putting up 16 and 3 per game. Stringer must cut down on his turnovers, especially before going up against Central Michigan (Dec. 11) and its talented first-year star Trey Zeigler, who is scoring 16.5 points and pulling down six boards per game this season.
Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears
Baylor cracked the national stage last season, helping add a top recruit like Jones. The 6-foot-11 center is scoring just under 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds a night for the Bears. Jones could be a bigger part of the offense if guard LaceDarius Dunn misses time with a forearm injury. That push could make him the top pick in next year’s NBA Draft.
Travis McKie, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
McKie is making the Demon Deacs a sharp bet in the ACC. He scored 18 points and reeled in 11 rebounds in Saturday’s win over Holy Cross, bouncing back from a quiet night against Iowa. Wake Forest is getting 14 points and eight rebounds per from the 6-foot-7 forward.
What other freshmen are catching your eye this season?
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