This article is part of our Freshman Haze series.
When we look back on the 2014-15 college basketball season, we'll think about defense. Last year was dominated by high-powered freshmen (then taken over by a senior guard in the tournament), but this year is all about defense. Certainly the Kentucky Wildcats are paced by their incredible defense. Virginia is an excellent defensive team and seeing as Louisville can't shoot, they'd better be good at defense. Even Duke is a solid defensive team.
This year's freshman class seems to pale in comparison to past years. None of the seven players are standout performers, but they are worth taking a look at, especially for future seasons. Some of them were hyped in preseason and haven't really come through yet. The last guy on the list is a particular favorite of mine due to his parentage.
Jevon Carter, guard, West Virginia Mountaineers
Carter's overall numbers -- 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists -- might not make many fantasy owners take a second look at the 6-foot-3 guard. Like many freshmen, he has struggled from the field (39.4 percent on field goals, 30.7 percent on three-pointers), but he has at least shown the ability to score in bunches. He had 28 points in a November win against defenseless VMI. More recently, he had 18 points in the win against Oklahoma. Carter has hit seven three-pointers in his last two games.
Robert Johnson, guard, Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers have forged a 4-1 early record in the Big Ten that included a big win over
When we look back on the 2014-15 college basketball season, we'll think about defense. Last year was dominated by high-powered freshmen (then taken over by a senior guard in the tournament), but this year is all about defense. Certainly the Kentucky Wildcats are paced by their incredible defense. Virginia is an excellent defensive team and seeing as Louisville can't shoot, they'd better be good at defense. Even Duke is a solid defensive team.
This year's freshman class seems to pale in comparison to past years. None of the seven players are standout performers, but they are worth taking a look at, especially for future seasons. Some of them were hyped in preseason and haven't really come through yet. The last guy on the list is a particular favorite of mine due to his parentage.
Jevon Carter, guard, West Virginia Mountaineers
Carter's overall numbers -- 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists -- might not make many fantasy owners take a second look at the 6-foot-3 guard. Like many freshmen, he has struggled from the field (39.4 percent on field goals, 30.7 percent on three-pointers), but he has at least shown the ability to score in bunches. He had 28 points in a November win against defenseless VMI. More recently, he had 18 points in the win against Oklahoma. Carter has hit seven three-pointers in his last two games.
Robert Johnson, guard, Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers have forged a 4-1 early record in the Big Ten that included a big win over Ohio State. Indiana would be trouble without their freshmen guards, including the previously profiled James Blackmon Jr. and the 6-3 Johnson. Unlike his fellow first-year starter, Johnson is not a volume scorer. When he does shoot, he does so efficiently (48.1 percent from the field, 41 percent on three-pointers). Johnson put 20 points on Penn State on Jan. 13. He adds 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists to 10.0 points per game.
Vic Law, forward, Northwestern Wildcats
Law came to Evanston with the reputation of being able to do a little of everything. Through 18 games, the lanky 6-7 forward does not look like he can do more than a little. He is getting respectable playing time off the bench and has posted averages of 6.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 24.2 minutes. Law has made just 19.5 percent of his three-pointers, so that isn't really part of his game yet. As Law bulks up and learns coach Chris Collins' system, he may blossom.
Tra Holder, guard, Arizona State Sun Devils
With Jahii Carson leaving school early (and eventually landing in Australia, where he plays for the Wollongong Hawks), the Sun Devils appeared to have an opening for a point guard. It took some time for Holder to grab the reins, but it appears he had done so. The 6-1 native of Los Angeles is a reluctant shooter (he has only attempted more than five shots in four games), but he can get to the line and dish the rock. He had 10 points, six rebounds and six assists in the Jan. 17 win over Colorado. Holder has only converted one field goal in his last six games.
Jordan Bell, forward, Oregon Ducks
Leagues that value blocked shots have likely already clued in on the 6-9 Bell. He has multiple blocks in all but two games and set a personal high against Holder and the Sun Devils on Jan. 10 with 10 in the Ducks' win before fouling out. Bell is averaging 3.5 rejections, which is second in the Pac-12 to Washignton's Robert Upshaw. He is not particularly good at anything beyond blocks with averages of 5.9 points and 6.7 rebounds. Still, his one skill will get him playing time and the rest of his game can develop.
Milik Yarbrough, forward, Saint Louis Billikens
After losing all five starters from a team that made the last three NCAA Tournaments, Saint Louis is starting again. It looks like they have a nice piece of the future in Yarbrough. He is leading the team in scoring at 10.3 points. Before being held to two points Jan. 17 against Dayton, he had score in double digits in six straight games, including a season-high 26 points in the Jan. 6 loss to George Washington. The 6-6 powerhouse does most of his damage in the paint and has only attempted 15 three-pointers (making three).
Wyatt Lohaus, guard, Northern Iowa Panthers
Truth be told: Brad Lohaus is one of my favorite NBA players. He was immortalized in the original NBA Jams with Blue Edwards as his cohort on the Bucks in that video game. Brad's son Wyatt is just 6-2, but he has his poppa's stroke from three-point land. Lohaus is hitting 40 percent of his three-pointers (8-of-20) in limited playing time (15.1 minutes). His playing time has been on a slight upswing, so Lohaus may get an opportunity to can more threes in future games.
