UCLA and Memphis are off to great starts this season. Yes, they have great freshmen, but they also have a cast of other great athletes to pick up the slack if the newcomers don’t come to play.

With the new NBA rule that athletes must play one year in college, or a year post high school, we get to see some of these amazing talents before they make the jump. Freshmen that seal the fait of their team with each drive to the basket, three point basket or huge offensive rebound are those that have made the midseason all-fresh squad.

#5 Donte Green and Jonney Flynn Syracuse
Having two freshmen in your starting lineup and losing your second leading scorer has been a difficult task to manage for Jim Beheim. Thankfully for Beheim, those two freshmen are Green and Flynn. When Eric Devendorf went down early on in the season with a knee injury, Flynn and Green had to grow up quick and establish themselves as leaders on the floor. Green has been solid inside leading the team in scoring at 18 a game and almost 8 rebounds. His counterpart Flynn has gotten the job done by penetrating and kicking the ball out to open teammates. Flynn only averages 15 a game but dishes out nearly 4 assists a game. These two would be higher on the list if the Orange were having a better year, but look for the two to find their groove and make a late push at the NCAA tournament.

#4 O.J. Mayo USC
Mayo came into the season with the most hype and the most to prove out on the court. This season he has had some growing pains and some difficulties adjusting to the college game and the Trojan offense. At times Mayo has looked lost or not in the right place and has forced many ill-advised shots. Mayo gets in trouble when he starts jacking up three point shots. Four times he has hoisted ten or more treys and at most made four. Mayo, an incredible talent and has plenty of potential just needs to grow within the system before he can take over the game. Both times he has scored over 30 points it was in a loss. When USC upset then #4 UCLA Mayo found his teammates, played within himself and the Trojans were able to pull off the upset. Mayo could move up as high as #1 or #2 on the list towards the end of the season if he can use his ability to make his teammates better.

#3 Jerryd Bayless Arizona
Jerryd Bayless is another one of those freshman that might have climbed higher had his team been doing just a bit better. With the Wildcats sitting at 12-6 overall and 2-3 in conference Bayless has a lot of work to do to keep the Cats dancing into April. Bayless had his breakout game in a win over then #9 Texas A&M. Bayless is one of the most exciting players to watch in the country with his ability to take you off the dribble or step back and shoot the three. He is leading the Wildcats in scoring at just over 19 a game and dishing out nearly 4.5 assists. In the four games Bayless was out, Arizona was only able to win one, so that just goes to show how important this newcomer is to his squad.

#2 Eric Gordon Indiana
Eric Gordon is probably the most talented players in the country. He has been averaging 22 points a game for Indiana this season and led them to a 17-1 record (6-0 in conference). Gordon has only been held under double figures in points one time and that was due to injury. “Air” Gordon, known by most basketball fans is a big time scorer, with a tremendous leaping ability. He can get to the line where he shoots 85 percent or step out side and knock down triples all night. Gordon might slide up to #1 by the end of the season with big games against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State.

#1 Michael Beasley Kansas State
Michael Beasley got the #1 ranking for many reasons he can flat out do it all, and do it great. Beasley is averaging almost 25 points a game and nearly 13 rebounds. Standing in at 6 feet 9 inches Beasley plays like he is 6 feet 11 inches. Only one time has he been held under double figures in points and rebounds. Beasley has reached the 30 point mark six times and hit 40 once. Probably the most athletic kid in the nation, Beasley has carried Kansas State to a 13-4 record. Kansas State relies on their talented freshman to get it done every night. The newcomer is also popular with fans for not opting out of his intent to play with the Wildcats when Bobby Huggins left for West Virginia. If Beasley can take the Cats deep into the NCAA tourney, he and Gordon will likely be fighting it out for player of the year.

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