Big Ten Basketball: The Most Exciting Freshman on Each Big Ten Squad

There is nothing more exciting in college basketball than an incoming freshman class. It represents hope and the future, even if nowadays, in big-time college programs, that future only lasts one year.

The era of one-and-done players has yielded some program success—like Carmelo Anthony's impact at Syracuse—but others have been a promise of what could have been with a longer stay.

Here are the most exciting freshmen in the Big Ten this year.

Illinois: Tracy Abrams

For the Illini, it is the 6'1" PG Tracy Abrams. Illinois is able to do what DePaul can't or is not willing to, which is recruit within the inner city, thus they suck, year after year.

Here Illinois tabbed the No. 43 prospect in the nation according to ESPN.com. Abrams is a 6'1" point guard will nice speed, handles and pure PG instincts.

He is being eased in to a bigger role with the team, playing about 15 minutes per game and scoring four points, but he has been a force in the passing lanes with over a steal per contest.

By the beginning of next year, it will difficult to keep Abrams off the floor.

Indiana: Cody Zeller

The 6'10" Zeller is an early favorite for Big Ten Freshman of the Year as he leads the team in scoring and rebounding. If this production continues, it may be difficult to keep Zeller in Bloomington, and off the stage shaking David Stern's hand.

Zeller has feasted on inferior competition; it will be interesting to see what happens when the Hoosiers play tougher opponents. We will see soon, as four of the next five games are against Butler, NC State, Kentucky and Notre Dame.

He is averaging 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game so far this season.

Ohio State: Amir Williams

Right now, it is Jared Sullinger's time on the block, but Amir Williams is next. Williams is only playing about 10 minutes per game, but he will play more soon.

Williams is 6'11" with good leaping ability and long arms. He has already asserted himself as a shot-blocker, with 1.5 per game in only 10 minutes.

As his minutes increase, so will his production. If the Buckeyes play him too much, his size and athleticism may attract the NBA scouts now rather than later.

Minnesota: Oto Osenieks

Osenieks is from Latvia and he has shown a decent ability to score from 12 feet in. His minutes have been limited because he plays behind Trevor Mbakwe, the Gophers senior star, though the 6'8" Oto is more of a face-up offensive player.

Next season, Osenieks will carry more of the load, and we will see what his ceiling is; early on, he has averaged six points, two rebounds and a steal.

Northwestern: Dave Soblewski

Take a look at a kid that is soon to be the most popular Wildcat in recent memory. From the hair, to the passion and the all around skills, PG Soblewski has an X-factor.

It remains to be seen whether that quality will land the Wildcats their first NCAA tournament berth, but Soblewski is contributing early. He is third on the team in scoring at 7.5 points per game, but he is grabbing 3.5 rebounds and dishing out 3.5 assists as well.

Wisconsin: Frank Kaminsky

Right now, the best freshman in Madison is Kaminsky. He is the only freshman getting decent minutes, it is primarily because of his size.

He is a legit 7' and he's averaging 4.5 points per game in just under nine minutes.

Michigan: Trey Burke

The return of Wolverines basketball is in full swing. Burke is a tough and tenacious 5'11" PG. He is second on the team, averaging 11 points per game, with 4.2 assists and three rebounds.

If Tim Hardaway Jr. comes back next year, teaming him with Burke and incoming freshmen, Mitch McGary and the Wolverines are going to be in the national championship hunt.

Penn State: Trey Lewis

Trey Lewis has been the closest thing to Robin for Penn State's Batman, Tim Frazier. While the junior Frazier has poured in 21 points per game, Lewis is a distant second with eight per game. 

Lewis has started four games this season, and he and Frazier make for the best Nittany Lions backcourt.

Purdue: Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson is the only Purdue freshman to have broken the starting lineup. He is ultra quick and a natural scorer. He knows how to get to the line, but he needs to improve his shooting. He is averaging nine points per game in 18 minutes per game.

Believe me, Johnson is one of the five best freshmen in the conference.

Nebraska: Corey Hilliard

No Huskers freshman has made an impact, but the most highly-touted is 6'1" guard Corey Hilliard.

He has only played in two games and is averaging three points.

Iowa: Aaron White

White has been solid for the Hawkeyes early. The 6'8" forward had 19 points and 10 rebounds against Chicago State and is averaging 8.5 points and five rebounds per game.

White should be a four-year contributor for Iowa.

Michigan State: Branden Dawson

A talented 6'6" swingman, Dawson's all-around talents have been on display early on. He is averaging 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game and the Spartans have played top-notch competition. 

His 10-point, seven-rebound, two-block, two-steal performance against North Carolina in the Carrier Classic definitely grab some attention.