College Basketball Freshman Power Rankings: Week 16 Edition
As conference races around the country start to boil down to the top few contenders, so do our college basketball freshman power rankings. The first-year standouts who have survived the pressure of conference play are now playing vital roles as their teams jockey for position in the standings (and seeding for the Big Dance).
Marcus Foster and Kansas State face an uphill battle in the loaded Big 12, but the freshman guard isnโt going down without a fight. He led his teamโs two biggest wins of the season with a combined 54 points in back-to-back games against Texas and Kansas.
Herein, a closer look at Fosterโs hot streak and the rest of the 20 biggest freshman stars from around college hoops. Just like the committee does on Selection Sunday, these rankings give a little extra weight to recent performance, in the interest of rewarding players who are making an impact at the most crucial times of the season.
20. Jarell Martin, LSU
1 of 20
Jarell Martin hasnโt been a star in the Tigersโ balanced attack, but his scoring average keeps inching upward thanks to performances like his 15-point showing on the road at Georgia.
Key Stats: 9.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game
Why Heโs Here: He provides reliable rebounding (even in a deep frontcourt) to go with a productive inside-outside offensive game.
Biggest Weakness: Heโs not a playmaker on D, despite impressive athleticism.
19. Kennedy Meeks, North Carolina
2 of 20
Previous Ranking: 20
After a string of indifferent efforts, Kennedy Meeks came up big at the right time against Florida State, spearheading a Tar Heels victory with a sensational 23 points (on 11-of-12 shooting), seven rebounds and two blocks.
Key Stats: 7.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game
Why Heโs Here: UNCโs late-blooming behemoth has controlled the boards while showing flashes of offensive brilliance.
Biggest Weakness: At 290 pounds, heโs had trouble staying on the floor in this uptempo conference (12 minutes against Notre Dame, 11 against Pitt).
18. Eric Mika, BYU
3 of 20
Previous Ranking: 15
A pair of dismal performances (nine points and three boards total against Pacific and St. Maryโs) took much of the shine off Eric Mikaโs back-to-back double-doubles against San Francisco and Santa Clara.
Key Stats: 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game
Why Heโs Here: The Cougarsโ top interior option has provided welcome balance in a high-scoring attack.
Biggest Weakness: His 6โ10โ length belies his lack of defensive impact.
17. Andrew Harrison, Kentucky
4 of 20
Previous Ranking: 16
Andrew Harrisonโs passing is starting to get more consistent, but itโs his scoring (20 points against Florida, 16 at Auburn) thatโs catching the most eyes.
Key Stats: 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game; .373 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: The towering (6โ6โ) point guard keeps expanding his value to the Kentucky offense.
Biggest Weakness: Thereโs no shame in getting lit up by Floridaโs Scottie Wilbekin, but Harrisonโs defense continues to be an issue in generalโheโs fouled out twice in his last three games.
16. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona
5 of 20
Previous Ranking: 17
The state of Oregon is none too pleased with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson after he torched its Ducks and Beavers for a combined 30 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in one weekendโs worth of action.
Key Stats: 8.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game
Why Heโs Here: Arizonaโs defensive stopper is starting to find his timing offensively since replacing injured Brandon Ashley in the starting lineup.
Biggest Weakness: Without even a semblance of a three-point shot, heโs forced to contribute to the Wildcatsโ traffic jam on the interior.
15. Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina
6 of 20
Previous Ranking: 18
Not only has Sindarius Thornwell continued his impressive showing as a scorer, but heโs also taking over more of the Gamecocksโ playmaking responsibilities (nine assists against Auburn, six in a win over Vanderbilt).
Key Stats: 13.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game; .347 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: The explosive offensive weapon has improved his all-around game as the season has worn on.
Biggest Weakness: He doesnโt have the luxury of picking and choosing his shots, but even so, a .412 field-goal percentage is an issue.
14. Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
7 of 20
Previous Ranking: 12
A three-game scoring slump from Aaron Harrison has been mitigated somewhat by defense (five steals in the three contests) and passing (six assists against Mississippi State).
Key Stats: 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game
Why Heโs Here: The shooting guard half of the Wildcatsโ celebrated twins is also the teamโs most versatile player.
Biggest Weakness: Kentucky needs him to shoot better than .313 from long range.
13. Nigel Williams-Goss, Washington
8 of 20
Previous Ranking: 10
A pair of one-assist performances from point guard Nigel Williams-Goss has played a major role in Washington losing three games out of four. Of course, his 16 points, five boards and five assists also keyed the one win, over a tough Stanford squad.
Key Stats: 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game; .357 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: The Huskiesโ floor leader has been filling up box scores all season.
Biggest Weakness: Heโs slumping badly on D, with just one steal in his last five games combined.
12. Isaiah Taylor, Texas
9 of 20
Previous Ranking: 14
The Longhorns (winners of nine games out of 10) continue to impress, and so does their high-scoring floor leader: Isaiah Taylor had seven assists at TCU and 17 points in a losing cause at Kansas State.
Key Stats: 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game
Why Heโs Here: The versatile penetrator has been the heart of the Texas attack.
Biggest Weakness: Heโs attempted just 14 three-pointers and shot .286 on those.
11. Bobby Portis, Arkansas
10 of 20
Previous Ranking: 13
On top of his record-setting 35-point outburst against Alabama, Bobby Portis has been impressing on defense, too (six blocks against the Tide, four steals against LSU).
Key Stats: 13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals per game
Why Heโs Here: Far more athletic than his 242 pounds (on a 6โ10โ frame) might suggest, heโs been making plays all over the floor.
Biggest Weakness: As his scoring has picked up, heโs pretty much stopped passing (three assists in the last month).
10. James Young, Kentucky
11 of 20
Previous Ranking: 7
James Young continues to be Kentuckyโs streakiest player, vanishing against Auburn one game (four points, 1-of-10 from the floor) and carrying the offense against Florida the next (19 points, 7-of-10).
Key Stats: 14.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game; .339 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: When the โCats need perimeter scoring, heโs answered the call better than anyone.
Biggest Weakness: Heโs still not the defender he ought to be with his length and quickness.
9. Aaron Gordon, Arizona
12 of 20
Previous Ranking: 9
Aaron Gordon managed a now-rare (for him) double-double against Arizona State, but his 17-point night against Oregon State sent an even bigger message after a three-game scoring slump.
Key Stats: 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game
Why Heโs Here: College hoopsโ most impressive dunker is also one of the toughest rebounders in the Pac-12.
Biggest Weakness: New adjectives will have to be invented to describe his free-throw shooting, which (at .415) makes even Shaquille OโNeal look good.
8. Noah Vonleh, Indiana
13 of 20
Previous Ranking: 6
Indiana is mired in a three-game skid, but bruising Noah Vonleh hasnโt missed a beat, grabbing a dozen rebounds each against Penn State and Minnesota.
Key Stats: 11.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game
Why Heโs Here: The Big Tenโs leading rebounder has piled up double-doubles as one of IUโs most consistent scorers.
Biggest Weakness: With two assists in his last three games, heโs actually raised his average (to 0.5 per contest).
7. Marcus Foster, Kansas State
14 of 20
Previous Ranking: 11
Marcus Foster is reaching new heights as a scorer, destroying Texas with a career-best 34 points and stunning Kansas with 20 more in back-to-back upset wins.
Key Stats: 15.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game; .388 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: His 10-assist effort against Baylor highlights the versatility of K-Stateโs one legitimate offensive weapon.
Biggest Weakness: Defense hasnโt come nearly as easily to the 6โ2โ shooting guard.
6. Jordan Mickey, LSU
15 of 20
Previous Ranking: 8
Jordan Mickey continues to dominate on both ends, blocking shots (three against Auburn) and scoring points (19 at Georgia) for the Tigers.
Key Stats: 13.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game
Why Heโs Here:ย The high-flying 6โ8โ forward has terrorized SEC drivers.
Biggest Weakness: Itโs tough to sustain top-level D when youโre routinely battling foul trouble (15 fouls in his last four games).
5. Julius Randle, Kentucky
16 of 20
Previous Ranking: 5
Julius Randle is still stuck in second gear offensively, but he did notch back-to-back double-doubles (for the first time since November) against Auburn and Florida.
Key Stats: 15.7 points and 10 rebounds per game
Why Heโs Here: Even with his point production flagging, the rebounding machine has more double-digit games than anyone in the Wildcatsโ prolific offense.
Biggest Weakness: Although heโs a fearsome defensive rebounder, he does too little else on that end of the floor.
4. Andrew Wiggins, Kansas
17 of 20
Previous Ranking: 4
Andrew Wiggins is playing his most consistent ball of the season, having strung together four consecutive games of at least 14 points and four boards.
Key Stats: 16.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game; .349 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: The dynamic scorer is settling into a leadership role and becoming more comfortable as a passer, too (12 assists in his last four games).
Biggest Weakness: Defensively, heโs often left in the background by more productive teammates.
3. Joel Embiid, Kansas
18 of 20
Previous Ranking: 1
Even before back and knee injuries sidelined him for the TCU game, Joel Embiid had endured his share of disappointing outings (six points and one block against Kansas State, five and one against Baylor).
Key Stats: 10.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game
Why Heโs Here: The mobile 7-footer is a defensive stalwart, even when his offense falters.
Biggest Weakness: Itโs anybodyโs guess how long it will take before heโs 100 percent healthy again.
2. Jabari Parker, Duke
19 of 20
Previous Ranking: 3
Aside from a show-stopping performance at Boston Collegeโ29 points, 16 boards and three blocksโJabari Parker has been cruising steadily along as one of the most intimidating scorers in the ACC.
Key Stats: 19.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game; .365 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: The highlight-reel offensive star is also Dukeโs best defender.
Biggest Weakness: Since ACC play began, his three-point shooting has gone cold (11-of-41).
1. Tyler Ennis, Syracuse
20 of 20
Previous Ranking: 2
Tyler Ennis has been making clutch plays all season, but none that match his latest heroics. Saturdayโs game-winning assist (to C.J. Fair) beat NC State just three days after his 35-foot buzzer-beater shocked Pitt.
Key Stats: 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game; .365 three-point shooting
Why Heโs Here: The floor leader for the top-ranked Orange is making sure their perfect record stays perfect.
Biggest Weakness: Streaky shooting has left him with iffy .422 field-goal accuracy overall.
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