Latest Freshman Rankings for the 2014-15 College Basketball Season

It's a fickle game. One wrong step, and you're usually moved on down the pipeline in the Latest Freshman Rankings.

Or even worse (yeah, probably worse), you miss a game.

That's what makes Jahlil Okafor's steady stay at the top of the charts so impressive. He missed one game, Feb. 21 against Clemson, after he landed awkwardly against North Carolina three days earlier.

But he's been atop our Freshman of the Year rankings for the entire 17 weeks of the season, and there's no reason to bounce him now.

Even though Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow have been clutch and Maryland's Melo Trimble has bumped to No. 2, Okafor remains No. 1.

Okafor's currently ranked sixth by KenPom for National Player of the Year, though he's not even the top freshman as Arizona's Stanley Johnson and Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns pull rank (they also have some movement this week).

Okafor's just unique, though. He's hard to budge (kind of like these rankings) in the post and better at finding open teammates than perhaps his own assist numbers give him credit for. Too bad there's no hockey-style credit for making the second pass. He's an absolute monster (we say that in the most complimentary way) in transition.

In lieu of an actual formula, our top 10 freshmen are ranked by a theoretical and anecdotal "wins above replacement." How much worse would the player's team be if forced to start his backup, and how much better are his team's chances of making a deep tournament run because of him?

Strong per-game and per-40 minute numbers are a great start and a good way to get noticed, but we're looking for the most valuable players more than the best statistical ones.

Playing for a Final Four contender isn't required to be ranked, but it definitely helps.

Dropped from rankings: Schadrac Casimir, (No. 10), James Blackmon Jr. (No. 9)

Honorable Mentions

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Seriously Considered, Ultimately Omitted

Kelly Oubre, Kansas

It's really quite amazing how often in November and December hoops fans (even Kansas') were wondering why Oubre couldn't break into the starting lineup so easily—or more succinctly, why his coach wouldn't play him more. Bill Self has 10—or now, 11—reasons (conference title rings) to not question his logic so sharply.

Oubre's come on in conference play. He had a 15-and-9 against Texas and looked relatively comfortable in Bramlage Coliseum, despite a loss to Kansas State (14 points, seven boards, though it required 13 shots).

We're not quite ready to bump him a level because of that no-show against TCU on Feb. 21, but we're not going to question why Self did that to Oubre, either.

Kevon Looney, UCLA

Looney doesn't have enough juice to jump in the rankings, but let's give him some credit: 21 points, 14 rebounds and 50 percent shooting (on a tidy 12 shots) in a couple of home wins against the Washington Pac-12 schools. He has 13 double-doubles this year already, as well.

Schadrac Casimir, Iona

There is such a thing as a freshman wall. And there really has to be one when playing at Iona's pace. Coach Tim Cluess' young star shooting guard is in a rut. He was No. 10 in the last rankings but took a fall after a three-game stretch in which he made just 11 of his 31 shots. That includes a 2-of-9 in a road loss to St. Peter's on March 1. Iona has the top seed in the MAAC tournament and it'll be intriguing to see if Casimir can get back on track with three games in as many days.

James Blackmon Jr., Indiana

Joe Lunardi currently has the Hoosiers as a 10-seed. That's looking iffy after a third loss in four games Tuesday night to Iowa. But Blackmon tried: 14 points and five rebounds, while shooting nearly 50 percent. He chucked a 1-of-10 shooting show in a Feb. 25 loss at Northwestern.

Angel Delgado, Seton Hall

That he's this high on the list says something, because the 16-12 Pirates (seventh in the Big East) don't make it easy to shine. But Delgado's been steady, with a double-double and two close calls in his last three games, including 10-and-7 in a loss at Villanova.

Briefly Considered, Quickly Rejected

Devin Booker, Kentucky

He has scored in double figures in the Wildcats' last four games, but he's done it all in blowouts. Then came Tuesday night, and he had nine in a close call at Georgia—missing seven of his nine shots. Perhaps the key knock against him from that stretch is an assist-turnover score of 7-7 in the last five games.

Cliff Alexander, Kansas

Yes, the Jayhawks have bigger issues with the "Cliff Bar" (capable of giving the Jayhawks an energy boost with his dunks). They also need him simply to be available—not sitting under the cloud of an NCAA investigation—even as he's been below his potential in recent weeks.

Jakob Poeltl, Utah

We're all for guys getting a chance at the NBA as soon as possible. But Poeltl clearly needs another year, and anyone who says differently should've witnessed Arizona's Kaleb Tarczewski school the Austrian last Saturday, including a spiffy baseline move for a slam. Poeltl hasn't scored in double figures in the past four games and has been quiet on the glass, too.

10. Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga

William Mancebo/Getty Images

By the Numbers: 21.8 MPG, 9.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 0.9 APG

Best Game: 18 points, 12 rebounds, one assist vs. Pepperdine

Previous Rank: No. 8

It's not easy finding a role around skilled, experienced big men like Przemek Karnowski and Kyle Wiltjer, though Domantas Sabonis continues to be steady as winter beer and coffee sales in Spokane, Washington. His "By the Numbers" above have barely fluctuated in recent weeks. Impressive.

He had a deceivingly tough 12 points and eight rebounds against undersized BYU last weekend, but the Zags lost on their senior night. Sabonis unfortunately looked like a freshman at times. He missed half of his eight free throws, including a late one-and-one.

That aggressiveness was good to see, however, considering he shot just two free throws in the previous four games.

Despite being sixth on GU in minutes played, he's first in rebounds (7.0) and would have a bigger national profile if not for Mark Few's continued prudence in utilizing him around an experienced lineup.

9. Myles Turner, Texas

Chris Covatta/Getty Images

By the Numbers: 23.2 MPG, 11.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 0.6 APG

Best Game: 17 points, 10 rebounds, six blocks vs. Oklahoma

Previous Rank: No. 7

Myles Turner has been quieter than the Longhorns can afford on offense, especially in recent games. UT pulled off a big home overtime win against Baylor on Monday night. But the 6'11'' Turner, who averages nearly four free throws a game, didn't have one in 33 minutes. He's been absent from the foul line in two of the last four games. ESPN commentators wailed that he needed to want the ball more.

But you've got to like what he brings defensively—17 blocked shots in the last five games, even as he didn't have a swat in two of them. KenPom ranks Turner 11th nationally in block percentage. He will be remembered for getting credited with one on Baylor's final, frantic possession after the Longhorns took the final lead Monday night.

Just like his offense, Turner can probably afford a little more aggressiveness. He had 11 blocks in the last two games but only four fouls.

8. Jevon Carter, West Virginia

Rod Aydelotte/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 23.7 MPG, 8.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.8 SPG

Best Game: 25 points, five rebounds, three assists vs. Baylor

Previous Rank: HM

He produced 25 points (8-of-16 shooting), five rebounds and three assists last Saturday at Baylor after Juwan Staten was ruled out with a knee injury.

His encore wasn't nearly as stellar. He missed all 10 shots (six from long range) in the OT loss at Kansas.

Carter's logging more minutes of late, which could really help the full-court pressure from the Mountaineers stay fresh. The only issue issue is being thrown into playing point guard. A rash of injuries put him there at Baylor, and he had five turnovers.

According to Geoff Coyle of West Virginia Illustrated, "he admitted after the game that he was too slow to pick up the nuances of the game from a perspective that he has yet to master as a freshman." 

"Being a point guard, you've got to look to get everybody else a shot, too," he said. "I was a little stuck in between when to shoot and when to pass. I think I'll get it together."

7. Stanley Johnson, Arizona

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 28.3 MPG, 14.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG

Best Game: 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals vs. Colorado

Previous Rank: 6

There might even be some Arizona fans that disagree with this, but we're going to cut Stanley Johnson some slack.

He was downright awful at Utah—missing 16 of his 19 shots and providing zero assists—but the two bigger issues were putting himself in a mood that compelled Sean Miller to bench him, then looking disinterested when cameras panned on him (not that he should've been worrying about cameras, but it should be relatively easy to look like a good teammate in such an exciting finish).

So Johnson only drops one slot this time.

He's still third on KenPom's POY ranking, right there with Frank Kaminsky of Wisconsin and Utah's Delon Wright. He's still arguably the Pac-12 MVP.

But Johnson needs to put it back together. Against UCLA (Feb. 21) and the Utes (Feb. 28) he combined to miss 24 of his 28 shots and has developed a rep as someone who can't close near the rim.

He sure does make it look easy getting there, though.

6. Justise Winslow, Duke

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 29.1 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG

Best Game: 23 points, nine rebounds vs. Syracuse

Previous Rank: HM

The Houston native is drawing headlines calling him "Chief Justise."

To follow the theme, Justise Winslow is dropping the gavel on opponents these days.

The promising output witnessed by Duke followers in November is back, as he's scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games, the last nine of which Duke has won.

Against Syracuse, he played all 40 minutes. But he'd be judged (ahem) not guilty of wasting time. He shot a tidy 16 times and made 10, including three three-point makes, for a career-high 23 points to rip apart that vaunted 'Cuse zone.

His desire to play and improve is insatiable, making 25 of his last 42 shots and only missing nine minutes of action during the past three games (one of which went to overtime). Talk about, um, supreme effort (last one, promise).

Winslow has been playing with a fractured rib, according to a recent Durham Herald-Sun post-game story. Coach Mike Krzyzewski talked about Winslow's playing hurt.

"

He’s not completely healthy but he’s learned to play through it. The injuries that he has or has had are not going to get worse by playing. You just have to get used to the protective device. It’s different and when you are 18 or 19 that’s the first time those things have happened. That’s an adjustment. But he’s made it. He’s done a great job with that.

"

5. Tyus Jones, Duke

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 33.0 MPG, 11.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 3.6 RPG

Best Game: 22 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, one steal vs. North Carolina

Previous Rank: 3

There can't be many more challenging roles as a freshman than becoming a point guard at a program like Duke, especially when the game obviously revolves around another player.

Yet Tyus Jones has figured it out and seems to be playing with a free mind and a ton of confidence. It stems from his Feb. 18 heroics against North Carolina, when he had nine points in 58 seconds in one late-regulation stretch, and has carried over.

He told Laura Keeley of the News & Observer in Raleigh: “My brothers believe in me, to have the ball in my hands, and that gives me all the confidence in the world, knowing that they have confidence in me,” Jones said. “That’s all I need is their confidence. I’m just trying to make a play and just being a competitor, hating to lose.”

He'll have to recalculate how to hate losing the ball, though. Turnovers have been more a problem lately; he had six last weekend against Syracuse (of course, seeing more zone could've been the biggest problem).

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2015/02/19/4568196_duke-now-tyus-jones-shows-his.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

4. Karl-Anthony Towns

James Crisp/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 20.5 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 1.1 APG

Best Game: 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks vs. Florida

Previous Rank: 6

Look at that hug with Coach C. They must've just found out that Karl-Anthony Towns jumped three spots this week.

Sure, he's been erratic at times this season. Yet the best player on the country's seemingly unstoppable team has been bluntly efficient of late.

During the last four games, he's taken 31 shots and made 24. Towns has tossed in 32 rebounds.

Give him credit. Kentucky is so dominant some games, it would be easy to coast and get erratic. Sometimes, you've just got to give a man his dues—not penalize him—for making it look so easy. He had 17 of his 19 points in the second half in the close call at Georgia.

3. D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 33.2 MPG, 19.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.6 SPG

Best Game: 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists vs. Purdue

Previous Rank: 2

It almost seems unfair to shift D’Angelo Russell down, because without his gears the Buckeyes would be in significant hurt.

No one plays more minutes for OSU. He takes nearly twice as many shots as his closest teammate (Russell’s at 410 while Sam Thompson has hoisted 244) yet Russell is still the top rebounder and is barely edged out by Shannon Scott as the top dime producer.

Again, we’re posting him behind Maryland’s Melo Trimble in part for the historical factor. Russell, however, did have a quieter stretch of four consecutive games before exploding against Purdue—making nine of his 19 shots and helping OSU rally from a dozen points down.

He must be over that thigh bruise. Certainly he’ll get over a slight demotion, too.

2. Melo Trimble, Maryland

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 33.6 MPG, 16.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.3 SPG

Best Game: 31 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal vs. Arizona State

Previous Rank: 4

When you're a big part of helping a program do something for the first time in a decade, you're doing something right.

On Monday, Maryland made the Top 10 in The Associated Press poll for the first time since 2003.

The Terps are on a seven-game winning streak, and Melo Trimble was effective in the last two: He averaged 17.5 points and connected on 11 of his 23 shots (47.8 percent) in home wins over No. 5 Wisconsin and Michigan.

He's the guy Maryland wants icing wins at the foul line, and its no wonder: He's nearly a 90 percent foul shooter and has made 22 of his last 26.

These numbers, and a sense of history, gave him a chance to pass his B1G brethren.

Updated early Wednesday morning, he wasn't as stellar at Rutgers the previous night—missing 10 of his 13 shots, and missing all five three-pointers.

1. Guess Who, Duke

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

By the Numbers: 31.1 MPG, 18.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.5 APG

Best Game: 30 points, nine rebounds, two assists in OT win at Virginia Tech

Previous Rank: 1

Look at this photo. Two defenders are draped on him, and Jahlil Okafor's eyes are planted squarely on the rim, hardly distressed by the attention.

That's how he lives, and that's a good thing for the attention he'll draw for years to come.

All you need to know about Okafor from recent games is who he passed by in Duke's history books and who he joined. It's a pretty selective group of Blue Devils who have ever scored 30 points in a game as a freshman.

The overtime win at Virginia Tech was the sixth time a Blue Devil freshman had posted at least 30 in a game, according to ESPN Stats & Info. It connected him to a pretty impressive list: J.J. Redick (twice), Kyrie Irving, Johnny Dawkins and Jabari Parker (notice all the famous Duke names, missing, too). 

Okafor shot 13-of-18 from the field against the Hokies. Not bad for a guy who missed the previous game with a bum ankle.

It looks like a lock for Okafor to stay here the rest of the season.

But there is some Kryptonite out there. It's called the foul line. He missed on six of his seven tries against Syracuse on Feb. 28; that was two games after an 0--6 against North Carolina, when he hurt his ankle.

Statistics current through the start of play on Tuesday, March 3, and are courtesy of KenPom.com, Sports-Reference.com and ESPN.com.