2011 NCAA Tournament: 10 Freshmen Ready to Shine for March Madness
It may be their first time at the Big Dance, but there are many freshmen in the tournament who have been instrumental in their team's success to this point. Some freshmen are going to need to be impact players in order for their teams to advance.
While many believe calling upon senior leadership is key to moving forward in the tournament, having a freshman who can put the team on his back when necessary is invaluable.
This is a list that comprises the 10 freshmen ready to shine for March Madness.
10. Fab Melo, Syracuse
1 of 10
Fab Melo has had somewhat of an anticlimactic season. He has failed to hit double-digit points all season long, and his minutes have been limited, that is until the month of March.
In his last three games he has acquired double-digit points twice.
If Melo can put up 10 points and five rebounds during the tournament, he could be the X-factor for the Orange. They are a No. 3 seed and have a tough road, but Melo's contributions could take Syracuse to the next level.
9. Josh Selby, Kansas
2 of 10
Josh Selby has been relatively quiet lately. After sitting out three games in February, he has been more of a contributor than an impact player.
Kansas is undefeated in that span, but if the Jayhawks want to make a championship run, having a freshman guard who can drop 20 will come in handy down the stretch.
We have seen elite guard play carry teams through the tournament, and a hot-handed guard can put a team on his back. Kansas fell short last year in embarrassing fashion. If Selby returns to form in the tournament, don't expect a repeat performance.
8. Jeremy Lamb, UConn
3 of 10
Jeremy Lamb makes his presence felt all over the court. He scores when he needs to, does the dirty work on the defensive side of the ball and rebounds effectively.
UConn is a No. 3 seed that could make some noise. They face teams with a lot of question marks early on. Lamb has the ability to go off for 20-plus points and eight-plus rebounds. His sort of dominance just may be enough to launch UConn past San Diego St. and beyond.
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7. Harrison Barnes, UNC
4 of 10
Harrison Barnes is one of those guys who seems like he's been around college basketball for a while now. With 15 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Barnes plays a pivotal role in UNC's success.
What makes Barnes so dangerous is his ability to catch fire from beyond the arch. He stands at 6'8'', but isn't afraid to let it fly from three-point land. He is somewhat of a streaky shooter, but when he is on, he is on.
Add shooting to his ability to provide as a big man, and Barnes is one of the scariest freshmen in the nation.
6. Tristan Thompson, Texas
5 of 10
Tristan Thompson plays much bigger than his 6'8" frame. He dominates in the post, brings down eight rebounds a game and is crucial to Texas' defensive success. Thomson is a shot-blocking machine, posting a block in all but two games in the entire season.
Unlike many teams in the tournament, Texas relied on its freshmen to get where it is now. The Longhorns need their young players to continue to shine, as their future rests heavily in the hands of their youth.
5. Cory Joseph, Texas
6 of 10
Cory Joseph makes up the other half of the freshmen tandem at Texas. While he may not have the numbers Thompson has, he could very well make an even bigger name for himself down the stretch.
Every NCAA tournament produces heroes. Joseph has a solid chance to be one of those guys.
He is clutch from three-point range, connecting on over 40 percent of the threes he takes. Texas will probably be presented with the opportunity to take out defending champion Duke. Expect Joseph to show up in such a scenario.
4. Terrence Jones, Kentucky
7 of 10
Terrence Jones is an unstoppable force. He dominates the paint and victimizes opposing big men on both ends of the court. Because he is so stout in the paint, he is an underrated shooter. Like Texas, Kentucky relies on its youth to succeed.
Exceeding expectations with superstar freshmen is nothing new to Kentucky. They have a habit of pumping in premiere talent and shipping them off to the NBA in a hurry. Jones nears 20 points and 10 rebounds consistently. If he plays up to his potential, Kentucky is going to be hard to stop.
3. Brandon Knight, Kentucky
8 of 10
The big man/little man tandem Kentucky has formed makes the Wildcats an upset waiting to happen. Knight is an electrifying shooter, but is also crucial to the overall flow of the Kentucky offense. He can pass, shoot and even contributes just under four rebounds a game despite standing at only 6'3".
The Wildcats could make a serious case for being under-seeded. Knight puts up huge shooting numbers in nearly every game. He won't disappoint now that the pressure is elevated.
2. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
9 of 10
Jared Sullinger is 6'9" and can go for 40 points in a night. While that is unlikely to happen now that the competition level has been raised, his production should remain sky-high. He makes his presence felt on the glass and rules the paint.
Ohio State could very well end up in the championship. If the Buckeyes have any shot at taking it all, Sullinger has to continue to overpower the best big men in the nation. He can be a 20 and 10 guy, and will need to meet the high expectations he has already set for himself.
1. Kyrie Irving, Duke
10 of 10
Kyrie Irving didn't bring the Blue Devils to this point, but his return from injury could be just the catalyst Duke needs to propel them through the tournament. He is expected to make a return in limited fashion initially. But, as Duke advances, his playing time should increase.
Irving is a top-flight talent. What Nolan Smith has been able to do at Duke in the absence of Irving is admirable. Now, it is time for Irving to work his way back into the lineup.
His return gives Duke an even bigger edge over its opponent. Irving can give the Blue Devils 17 points, five assists and four rebounds that will give them the opportunity to repeat.
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