Freshman Haze: Ranking the Top Frosh, 1-7

The top freshman countdown concludes in this Freshman Haze. It has been kind of an odd season for first-year players. There has not been a huge group of big-name producers beyond Ben Simmons at LSU. Duke and Kentucky have been underwhelming, even though they have had some fine freshmen. This somewhat down year has allowed some surprises to slip into the top seven. Prior to the season, three of these players (Henry Ellenson, Brandon Ingram and Simmons) were well known, but the other players on this list were not on the national radar. They are now. Let's head to the Midwest to get things tipped off.

7. Henry Ellenson, forward, Marquette Golden Eagles

The return to prominence for Marquette may have started when Ellenson signed with the Golden Eagles. Whether the 6-foot-10 forward is still in Milwaukee for more seasons is yet to be determined, but he has had an excellent season. He is averaging 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. Marquette won nine games in the non-conference slate, but the road has been bumpier against Big East competition. Ellenson is really good in the paint, but his three-point shot (27.9 percent) needs work. He has a nice looking stroke, but the ball has not fallen from long range. Ellenson has only been held to single digits once (in a Nov. 19 loss to Iowa).

6. James Thompson IV, center, Eastern Michigan Eagles

Thompson has not been involved in many conference wins in his first season, but the 6-10 center is making an impression. He has 13 double-doubles and averages of 15.2 points and 11.0 rebounds. He is a decent free throw shooter at 71.8 percent, but nearly equals that from the field with 68.2 percent. In his last five games, he has hit 84 percent of his freebies. While Thompson does most of his damage on the offensive end, his 1.6 blocks are not too shabby. Look for the Louisiana native to rule the MAC in future years.

5. Tyler Hall, guard, Montana State Bobcats

Hall could be the new Rodney Stuckey, a young guard who dominates the Big Sky enough to get known on the national stage. The 6-4 guard bombs away from three-point range (3.2 3-pointers on 44.1 percent) and has hit 23 3-pointers in his last four games. Hall is coming off a 30-point game in the loss to Montana, which was his second 30-point game of the season. Guard Marcus Colbert and his 16.4 points will run out of eligibility next year, so it will be the Tyler Hall show in Bozeman.

4. Tyler Lydon, forward, Syracuse Orange

The rankings value well-rounded players rather than one-stat guys. Therefore, Lydon makes the rankings because the 6-8 forward does a little of everything. He is the rare player that can hit three-pointers (1.3 per game) and block shots (1.5). Lydon's 9.9 points are not terribly impressive, but he comes off the bench and the Orange have other players to score (such as fellow freshman Malachi Richardson, who is averaging 13.2 points). Lydon should get some NCAA Tournament experience. The Orange won five straight conference games before losing to Louisville and Pittsburgh in the last week.

3. Brandon Ingram, guard, Duke Blue Devils

The 2015-16 Blue Devils will likely not repeat as champions, but the reed-thin Ingram has been as good as promised. The 6-9, 190, swingman is coming off one of his worst games with eight rebounds and 10 turnovers in the loss to Louisville on Saturday. He is still averaging 17.0 points and 6.8 rebounds. Ingram has been good from the perimeter with 40.8 percent of his three-pointers and a streak of five straight games of multiple makes from long range. He should be another Blue Devil to leave after one year and be drafted early following Jahlil Okafor, Justice Winslow and Jabari Parker.

2. Ben Simmons, forward, LSU Tigers

It's true: Simmons is not No. 1, which may be the biggest upset in the college basketball season. Some may think that I added turnovers just to lower Simmons' ranking, but that was not the reason. The 6-10 forward has had an excellent season with 19.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He handles the ball a lot for the Tigers, so his 3.1 turnovers are not really something to worry about. Simmons is not much of a shooter and only has a passing interest in defense. He should still be the first pick in the 2016 draft, but it remains to be seen if Simmons can get LSU into the Big Dance.

1. John Konchar, guard, IPFW Mastodons

As a fantasy player, Konchar simply doesn't have a weakness. He scored enough (12.7 points), hits the boards (8.8 rebounds) and hits shots (59.5 percent from the field, 46.2 percent on three-pointers). The 6-4 guard has helped the Mastodons to the top of the Summit standings, so he could get some exposure in March. In his last three games, Konchar has averaged 18.3 points on 74.1 percent from the field with 10.7 rebounds. IPFW took a hit when guard Mo Evans (16.9 points, 5.1 assists) was lost for the season because of academics, but leading scorer Max Landis (18.4 points, 47.7 percent on three-pointers) is still around. The Mastodons could be a chic pick to pull an upset in the NCAA tournament.