This article is part of our Freshman Haze series.
There were some nice big matchups last week, and I watched almost all of them. This year's freshman class doesn't have the hype of the last year's group, but there are plenty of excellent performers (and it might be equal to last year, minus the hype). In this week's seven first-year players, I'll profile some of the players I watched.
This septet features plenty of frontcourt power. It's amazing that 18-year-old people grow this big. They are supposed to be thin and willowy, but these freshmen are men (and some are fresh). The games won't be quite as big in the next few weeks, but we should get an improving read on the young'uns.
Stanley Johnson, forward, Arizona Wildcats
At 6-foot-7, 245, Johnson may remind some people of his namesake from a previous generation who went to UNLV. Larry Johnson also had wide shoulders and excellent athleticism. The Wildcat freshman needs some polish on his offensive game, but he is not a volume shooter on the talented Arizona squad. Johnson is pretty good at hitting floaters as he heads toward the basket. He has scored in double digits in seven straight games and has hit 39.1 percent of his three-pointers. In the early going, Johnson is averaging 13.8 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Justise Winslow, forward, Duke Blue Devils
Despite misspelling his first name (OK, OK, he and his family can spell it any way they want), Winslow is another huge wing. He may not get the spotlight with the Blue Devils with Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones, but he will likely be an essential ingredient to Duke's success. At 6-6, 225, with major hops, Winslow can guard a wide variety of opponents. He has hit at least one three-pointer in every game, but his scoring output has diminished in each of his last seven games, including just five points in the win over Wisconsin on Wednesday.
D'Angelo Russell, guard, Ohio State Buckeyes
Anyone who saw the Buckeyes play last year knew that they needed more offense. They seem to have found their go-to scorer in the 6-4 Russell. He exploded for 32 points in the win over Sacred Heart on Nov. 23. Russell has struggled from the field in his last three games (18-of-51, 35.3 percent), but the good news is that he is hoisting plenty of shots. The Louisville native had his worst game in his homecoming (6-of-20 from the field, 0-of-6 on three-pointers), but added six boards and seven assists. On the season, Russell averages 18.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
Trevon Blueitt, forward, Xavier Musketeers
Like Ohio State, Xavier has plenty of returning talent, but required some scoring to replace Semaj Christon. The 6-6 Blueitt has stepped in and provided 15.0 points per game. He has cooled off after a sensational start. He scored just 17 points combined in his most recent two games, but he scored at least 13 points in his first six games. Blueitt nailed five three-pointers in a win over Murray State and hit a season-high 20 in an early win over Long Beach State (but the 49ers wrought revenge in the Wooden Legacy tournament). He adds 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists to his scoring.
Dillon Brooks, forward, Oregon Ducks
Oregon had plenty of holes in the lineup coming into the season, so someone had to step into the void next to Joseph Young. Brooks, a 6-6 native of Canada, reclassified to join the Ducks early and has played well for coach Dana Altman. He is hitting 40.7 percent of his three-pointers and has posted back-to-back double-doubles in his last two games. Young will take the bulk of the offense, but the Ducks have a decent second option in Brooks (13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists).
Gary Clark, forward, Cincinnati Bearcats
Like Oregon, Cincinnati did not have much returning talent. That means opportunity for young players, including the 6-8 Clark who has done plenty of work on the boards since joining the Bearcats. He has at least six boards in each game and posted a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) in the team's lone loss against Ole Miss. Clark does not take many offensive possessions, but has hit at least half of his shots in all but one game. Look for Clark to ascend as the season continues.
Domantas Sabonis, forward, Gonzaga Bulldogs
Sabonis apparently inherited plenty of his father's (long-time Russian superstar center Arvydas) basketball skill if not his gigantic head. He has scored in double digits in all but two games (he fouled out after 13 minutes in the win over Georgia and accrued four fouls in the overtime loss to Arizona on Saturday). In four of his eight games, Sabonis has made every shot he attempted and he clearly has excellent post skills (particularly as a lefty). The freshman forward won't have the post to himself while Przemek Karnowski is on the squad, so his fantasy upside is somewhat limited.
