Freshmen Tracker: Production dipping as conference play begins
More than ever, freshmen are having immediate impacts on the college game. This year Rivals.com is going to track them closely throughout the season and keep up on their progress. In our bi-weekly listing of the nation’s top 10 freshmen, LSU’s Ben Simmons keeps control of the top spot but like many freshmen, even Simmons is starting to learn things are much more difficult in conference play and as he gets more heavily scouted.
1. Ben Simmons, PF, LSU
This season: 19.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
How he got here: Simmons move to the States midway through his high school career and was an early commitment to LSU. Tigers assistant David Patrick is Simmons’ godfather and nobody else ever had much of a chance at him.
Analysis: Simmons was incredible in his first conference game against Vanderbilt where he exploded for 36 points and 14 rebounds. In the five games since, the super talented Aussie has seen his production dip across the board as his averages have dropped to 16.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He’s also had over five turnovers per game during the stretch and his overall field goal percentage has dipped some. On the bright side, he’s getting more help and the Tigers are 4-2 in conference play (11-7 overall) as they try to make a run to the NCAA tournament.
2. Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke
This season: 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
How he got here: Ingram’s recruitment stretched well into the spring as he also heavily considered programs like Kansas, Kentucky and UCLA. North Carolina was heavily in the mix but Ingram cited worries over potential NCAA problems at UNC before selecting the Blue Devils.
Analysis: The Blue Devils are currently mired in a three-game losing streak, but Ingram’s production and efficiency has steadily improved. Of the freshmen who have been on the top 10 list all along, he’s one of the few who has actually seen his numbers rise during conference play. Defensively, though, it has been a struggle at times for the rail thin Ingram.
3. Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
This season: 15.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
How he got here: Ellenson had a final three of Marquette, Kentucky and Michigan State. Marquette had immediate minutes and the ability to feature him offensively and that combined with proximity to home and his older brother Henry transferring there from Minnesota got it done.
Analysis: Marquette is also stuck in a three game losing streak and Ellenson’s production has dipped a bit to 14.3 points and seven rebounds per game during those three losses. Big East defenses are selling out to limit the skilled four man’s production so he’s going to have to find ways to counter.
4. Diamond Stone, C, Maryland
This season: 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 bocks per game.
How he got here: A five-star from Milwaukee, Wisc. who ranked No. 6 overall in 2015, Stone had a long and drawn out recruitment. After completing visits in the Fall of 2014, it wasn’t until March that Stone picked the Terps over his home state school Wisconsin.
Analysis: Unlike those who have struggled in conference play, Stone has been brilliant in Big Ten play. After a relatively “meh” run through the out of conference slate, Stone has turned things up. He’s shooting a balmy 65 percent from the field while averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game during Big Ten play. Stone does need to improve his passing, he has just assist compared to 14 turnovers in conference.
5. Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky
This season: 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
How he got here: Originally slotted to be a member of the class of 2016, Murray elected to arrive in the class of 2015 after really enhancing his reputation playing for Canada’s national team. Oregon was heavily considered but John Calipari won out.
Analysis: For an up and down Kentucky team, Murray has been the most reliable scoring option. Through the first six SEC games, he’s scored at least 20 in all but two and he had 18 and 19 in those that he didn't get to 20. One thing to watch is his growing reliance on the three point shot, after taking 6.4 threes per game out of conference, Murray is hoisting up a whopping 8.2 during conference play.
6. Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State
This season: 17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
How he got here: Beasley seriously considered home state Georgia taking unofficial visits and he also took an unofficial visit to St. John’s. However, the Seminoles were his only official visit and he committed almost the minute he stepped foot on campus for a visit.
Analysis: Beasley has been a model of consistency for the Seminoles. He’s going to shoot the ball on a large percentage of his touches and he’s explosive in the open court. However, for a freshman shooting guard, his 50 percent overall shooting percentage and 39.7 percent from three is quite impressive.
7. Dwayne Bacon, SF, Florida State
This season: 16.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
How he got here: Bacon had a top 10 list of schools and took an official visit to USC. A native of Florida, though, the Seminoles were always seen as the team to beat and he committed the same night Beasley did.
Analysis: After lighting it up out of conference, Bacon has slowed down some during ACC play. Teams are limiting his ability to drive the ball and forcing him to become a jump shooter and for good reason. Bacon is struggling to shoot the deep jumper making just four of his last 19 from three and 24.7 percent overall from deep on the season.
8. Dejounte Murray, SG, Washington
This season: 15.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
How he got here: A native of Seattle, there wasn’t ever much question about where Murray would end up. However, him picking the Huskies was important to the rebuilding process and landing a top 10 class in 2015.
Analysis: On an exciting Huskies team that relies on the play of their freshmen as much as any team in the country, the versatile Murray has outplayed his No. 46 ranking in the class of 2015. After really struggling with his shooting percentage and turnovers early, Murray has really cleaned things up over the last five games. Barely over 40 percent from the field on the year, he’s hit on 46.1 percent overall and 62.5 percent from three while scoring 19.6 points and cutting his turnovers down to 2.8 per game over that stretch.
9. Jawun Evans, PG, Oklahoma State
This season: 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game
How he got here: A native of South Carolina who moved to Dallas for his final two years of high school, Evans ranked No. 36 overall in the class of 2015. He came very close to going to Illinois, but in the end Travis Ford and the Cowboys were able to keep him in Big 12 country.
Analysis: Evans might be the hottest freshman in the entire country. Oklahoma State is just 2-4 in Big 12 play but Evans has been outstanding. He exploded for 42 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a loss to Oklahoma and is averaging 18.3 points, five rebounds and 6.3 assists per game in Big 12 action.
10. Jaylen Brown, SF, California
This season: 14.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
How he got here: The No. 3 ranked player in the class of 2015, Brown was the object of a heated recruiting battle that stretched all the way into May of his senior year. After considering the likes of UCLA, Kansas and North Carolina, Brown looked like he may be leaning towards Kentucky but the Atlanta native elected to head West to California.
Analysis: Cal is another program that has suffered a three game losing streak and they’ve struggled to manufacture offense at times. Brown has been playing his best ball of the year during Pac 12 play. Through six conference games he’s scored 16.0 points, grabbed 6.2 rebounds and dished out two assists an outing while shooting 61 percent from the field.