Freshman Haze: Struggling Freshmen

At some point in every season, I think that I am going to run out of freshmen to profile. New players pop up for a variety of reasons -- injuries, new rotations, etc. -- so I don't usually have to worry too much. However, there are weeks when I just struggle to come up with a good septet. At times like these, misery loves company, so we will take a look at seven freshmen who have not held up to the hype. Were pundits full of hot air, or could these players be considered post-hype sleepers?

Skal Labissiere, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Coach John Calipari has had quite a string of big men come through Lexington. The past few have held up, including Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and Julius Randle. Labissiere was expected to follow in their footsteps and the team seemed to be counting on him. Upperclassmen like Marcus Lee and Alex Poythress were available, but both seemed limited. The 6-foot-11 Haitian, who was mentioned in the same breath as Ben Simmons prior to the season, has not looked good. He did have a 26-point game on Nov. 14 against NJIT, but has scored a combined 16 points in his last five games. Labissiere was invisible against Simmons against LSU on Tuesday. He has the apparent physical skills, but it may take Labissiere longer than his predecessors to develop.

Malik Newman, guard, Mississippi State Bulldogs

There seemed to be new hope in Starksville based on coach Ben Howland being able to recruit players like the 6-3 Newman. Unlike Labissiere, the Mississippi native has been earning playing time and has showed signs of being an elite player. The combo guard has scored at least 12 points in his last six games and put in a season-high 20 points in the Dec. 23 win over North Colorado. He is only converting 41.1 percent from the field, but his 37.7 percent on 3-pointers is quite good. Newman is earning shots and should be a player to watch in SEC play.

P.J. Dozier, guard, South Carolina Gamecocks

Dozier's inclusion in this list hurts me the most. I like players with my name to prosper. Perhaps the first issue is that the guard insists on going by P.J. rather than his given name of Perry. Big mistake! He has not given the undefeated Gamecocks much production through the first half of his freshman season. The 6-7 guard scored in double digits in three straight games in early December, but has been held to seven points or fewer in his last four games. Like Newman, Dozier has struggled from the field (40.8 percent), but he has added long range inaccuracy (30.4 percent) and issues at the line (51.4 percent). He may develop into his sophomore season, but there isn't much to see for this year.

Chase Jeter, center, Duke Blue Devils

I get a lot of predictions wrong, but I was right about Jeter. I was basically reading the tea leaves about the 6-10 Blue Devil freshman. When the first thing mentioned is that it is unfair to compare players like Jeter to their predecessors (like Jahlil Okafor), then something is up. Add the fact that Duke had veteran big men like Marshall Plumlee and the now injured Amile Jefferson ahead in the depth chart, and you have a player that will have to fight for playing time. Jeter is playing just 9.1 minutes even with Jefferson out. Plumlee's production curve is probably a good projection for Jeter, but he is unlikely to make an impact this year (and perhaps next as well).

Stephen Zimmerman, forward, UNLV Runnin' Rebels

In one of my fantasy leagues that uses Tier 2 conferences and requires a freshman, Zimmerman was the first player taken. It was a sensible pick because productive freshmen are like gold in that league. However, the seven-footer's early season production has left a lot to be desired. He is averaging 9.5 points and 7.8 rebounds. Zimmerman has missed a pair of games; one due to illness and the other because of a thigh bruise. The Rebels have lost four of their last five games, so the team could look to focus on Zimmerman as an offensive key, but he has not shown the ability to dominate yet.

Jalen Adams, guard, Connecticut Huskies

The problems for Adams were somewhat predictable. The 6-2 guard faced a playing time crunch behind Rodney Purvis and Sterling Gibbs. The pair of transfers have averaged about 30 minutes and have taken a combined 310 shots. What was left for Adams? Table scraps. The freshman has taken the other 20 minutes of backcourt time and averaged 5.8 points on 40 percent from the field and 2.2 assists. He has only scored in double digits three times and had a season-high six assists in the Nov. 21 blowout win over Furman. Gibbs will move on next year, which could open a big spot for Adams.

Laquincy Rideau, guard, Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

There was some thought that Rideau could start at point guard for the Runnin' Bulldogs and provide the team with defensive intensity and playmaking. The 6-1 guard was unable to unseat the incumbent Harold McBride and has been coming off the bench for Gardner-Webb. Rideau's defense was not overhyped and the guard is averaging 2.5 steals in 16.8 minutes. He has four games of five steals or more. His offensive needs to be developed. Rideau is making 41.9 percent from the field, 30.8 percent on 3-pointers, and just 46.3 percent from the line. He is certainly a player to keep an eye on. McBride will run out of eligibility next year and Rideau may be among the nation's leading thieves.