College Basketball Preview 2011-12: Ranking the Top 10 Big Ten Freshmen

Coaches and players are chomping at the bit, ready to get this year's college basketball season going.

By the end of the week, workouts will change to practices, and the teams will begin to get ready to start games in November.

Every day this week, we've been previewing the top 10 freshmen in a different power conference.

Monday, we began with the ACC

Tuesday, we hit the Big 12.

Yesterday, we considered the Big East freshmen.

Today we are looking at the Big Ten and, in a separate article, the Pac-12.  

Tomorrow, we will finish up with the SEC.

Top 10 freshmen from the Big Ten: Here we go!

10. Mycheal Henry: Illinois

Mycheal Henry (6'6" 220) comes to campus with a Big Ten-ready physique and skills to match.

Henry is explosive on the wing, both in transition or in the half-court offense.

He brings energy to both ends of the court and puts pressure on his opponents from the time he steps on the court.

9. Jarrod Uthoff: Wisconsin

The Badgers will be looking for someone to replace Jon Leuer.

They may have found their future forward in Jarrod Uthoff (6'8" 200 lbs).

He is an athletic combo forward who runs the floor well, uses his hops to crash the glass and can knock down the perimeter jumper.

Uthoff's game reminds some of former Butler front-court phenom Gordon Hayward.

8. Carlton Brundidge: Michigan

Carlton Brundidge (6'1" 205 lbs) is a "big boy," but he is the real deal when it comes to scoring.

Brundidge attacks the rim and finishes even with contact. He has no problem posting opponents up down low and also has a very good mid-range game.

While the Wolverines have a nice perimeter trio in Tim Hardaway, Jr., Zack Novak and Stu Douglas, watch for Brundidge to play a key role in Michigan's attempt to challenge for the conference title.

7. Andre Hollins: Minnesota

Andre Hollins is a big-time scorer and a great on-ball defender.

And he's an exceptional student too. Hollins had offers from both Stanford and Harvard.

Because of various departures through graduation and transfers, Hollins will have a clear opportunity to contribute, if not start, for the Gophers from the very beginning.

6. Sam Thompson: Ohio State

Sam Thompson is a versatile player with length (6'7", 185 lbs) who can play all three perimeter positions.

Thompson's quickness and agility poses problems for many SFs.

Because of his wide-ranging abilities, Thompson will not just be slotted in the Buckeyes lineup.

5. Nnanna Egwu: Illinois

Nnanna Egwu (6'11" 245 lbs) has the size and athleticism to become a force for years to come for Bruce Weber.

Egwu runs the floor like a guard, fills the lane on the break and crashes the glass with intensity.

With the departures along the Illinois front line, Egwu will be counted on early to rebuild what was one of the biggest front courts in the nation.

4. Amir Williams: Ohio State

Amir Williams (6'10" 220 lbs) provides OSU head coach Thad Matta with an excellent front-court running mate for Jared Sullinger.

With Williams projected to start at center, Sullinger can move over and play the 4.

The McDonald's All-American is long, athletic and beats most bigs down the floor.

He has a great nose for the ball on defense and on the boards. 

3. Shannon Scott: Ohio State

Shannon Scott is a great floor leader who runs a team very well.

The McDonald's All-American has an outstanding handle and consistently makes exceptional decisions with the ball.

He is a fierce on-ball defender that gets more than his share of steals.

OSU's head coach Thad Matta has a great "problem" on his hands.

Scott and Buckeyes sophomore PG Aaron Craft will battle it out for playing time. It is possible that they could start together with William Buford sliding over to the SF.

2. Branden Dawson: Michigan State

Branden Dawson fits Tom Izzo's tenacious style perfectly.

Dawson (6'6" 220 lbs) has the body to play the physical brand of MSU basketball at both ends.

The McDonald's All-American gets out and fills the lanes and attacks the rim on the break.

Dawson is a BEAST on the offensive glass. He goes all out for anything close to his vicinity.

With Delvon Roe not returning because of ongoing knee issues, Dawson will be counted on that much sooner.

1. Cody Zeller: Indiana

While Cody Zeller may not be an extremely intimidating figure in the paint, he is the kind of player around which you can build a team.

Zeller (6'11" 220 lbs) plays the post at both ends of the floor very well, with a full selection of post moves that help him to score.

The McDonald's All-American is very mobile and runs the floor well.

The Hoosiers don't need Zeller to be a savior, but they do need for him and leading scorer Christian Watford to play effectively together so that Indiana can move back towards the top half of the Big Ten race.