College Basketball: Week 10 Freshman Power Rankings

We are already ten weeks into the college basketball season, with most teams already playing multiple conference games. We have taken a look at the top freshmen in Division 1 basketball throughout the season, and this is our first look at the group in the new year. 

It should come as no surprise that the steady hand of Reed Sheppard sits atop the list. Kentucky is now 11-2 and ranked among the top ten teams in the country. A lot of that is due to the steady play of the 6-foor-3 freshman from North Laurel, Kentucky. The rest of the list has a lot of talent as well, but injuries and inconsistency have taken their toll on this freshman class. 

This list looks at the players who are having the biggest effect on the sport through their in-season play. Let’s discuss college basketball’s freshman power rankings through week 10.

1. G Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

The Buzz: With freshmen, it is all about steady play. While Reed Sheppard might not have the flashiest game, the first-year Kentucky guard has brought steady production to the court. Listed at 6-foot-3, Sheppard has played his connecting role very well. He has spaced the floor as well as anyone in the country, regardless of class. His 54.7 percent shooting from three on 4.1 attempts per game has opened up even more lanes for two of the best paint-touch guards in the college game. He makes good passes and he has excellent hands and instincts on defense. Despite coming off the bench, he is still fourth on the team in minutes per game. Steady wins the race, and as of the first week of January, Sheppard has been the steadiest freshman in college basketball.   

2. G Malik Mack, Harvard

The Buzz: Malik Mack started the season scorching hot, and then he was forced to miss multiple weeks after a December bout with mono. He is now back, playing his first game in 30 days against Princeton last Saturday. The 6-foot-1 guard from the DMV is averaging 19.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 44.6 percent from three. Through 11 games played, he has scored over twenty points five times including 32 against UMass and 26 in a matchup with Indiana.

3. G Isaiah Collier, USC

The Buzz: While it has been an up-and-down season for the USC team, Isaiah Collier has consistently brought fire to the court. Listed as a 6-foot-5, 210-pound point guard, he brings point-of-attack pressure like no other guard in the country. Through four PAC 12 games, Collier is averaging 14.2 points and 4.5 assists while shooting 53.7 percent from the field. He can get a little wild at times as he already has three games with more than five turnovers this season. His 15.6 points are fifth among Division 1 freshmen and his 4.3 assists are fourth.

4. G Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh

The Buzz: Carlton Carrington, one of the youngest players in the ACC, started his college career with a bang, putting up a triple-double on night one. He continued his strong play through November, before taking a five-or-so,…