Freshman Haze: A Young Spartan Duo

Happy Holidays from the Haze. It may be that I don't have the greatest grasp of present giving, but my gift to you is a fresh set of seven freshman profiles of players that have been playing well of late. The Big Ten is not always the best place to find first-year players. Teams like Wisconsin generally prefer to develop their players and allow them to contribute as upperclassmen. Ohio State was once the best option for frosh talent, but this year it is Tom Izzo and his Michigan State Spartans that have been a fount of young talent. With previously profiled Miles Bridges out with a sprained ankle, other kids have been able to step up.

Nick Ward, forward, Michigan State Spartans

There is a direct parallel between Bridges' injury and Ward's rise in the Spartan offense. In his last five games with Bridges watching from the sideline, the 6-8 forward has averaged 17.4 points and 7.8 rebounds. Ward was getting regular minutes in the first month of the season, but provided just 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. At 6-foot-8, 250 lbs, Ward is somewhat undersized as a center, but he does most of his damage in the paint. He also has nice defensive instincts and is averaging 1.9 blocks (with a six-block game on Dec. 18 against Northeastern). Izzo's teams usually improve during the season, and often times the emergence of players such as Ward contributes to this.

Cassius Winston, guard, Michigan State Spartans

Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn has a great name, but he has shown little ability to put the ball in the hoop after three years with Michigan State. Last Saturday against Oakland, the 6-0 Winston displaced Nairn in the starting lineup and he will likely hold onto the spot. The point guard was coming off a 21-point, 10-assist performance in the loss to Northeastern, and has outplayed the starter over the last five games. In his last five games, Winston has provided 11.8 points and 9.0 assists. While not a great shooter, Winston is hitting 46.1 percent of his field goals and 36.0 percent of his 3-pointers.

Daniel Purifoy, forward, Auburn Tigers

For the second straight week, we profile a Tiger. Auburn would be in trouble without its freshman class, since it supplies the team's top three scorers. The 6-7 Purifoy is the least consistent of the trio. He looked like he was breaking out with a pair of 27-point games against Boston College and Coastal Carolina earlier in December. Since that point, Purifoy has fallen to 6.0 points over his last three contests. Fouls have been an issue, and he only played a combined 45 minutes in wins over Mercer and Oklahoma. He played 44 minutes in the win over Connecticut, but only managed five points (though he did snag 15 boards). The redshirt freshman should level off to his averages of 14.7 points and 6.2 rebounds.

Ky Bowman, guard, Boston College Eagles

The Eagles have won fewer games over the last three seasons (28) than their conference rival Duke usually wins in a single campaign. The team has already equaled its win total of last season and has young players like sophomore Jerome Robinson and the 6-1 Bowman to credit. The guard opened many eyes by pouring 33 points in against Fairfield on Dec. 21. He added eight boards and five assists to his best game of the season. Bowman has scored in double digits in four straight games after providing 10 points or more just three times in his first nine games.

Yoeli Childs, forward, BYU Cougars

The Cougars came into the season with too many forwards. The time jam caused the 6-8 Childs to spend a great deal of time sitting on the bench. Starter Kyle Davis has missed the last two games with a knee injury, however, and that has opened up a spot for Childs, who has submitted a pair of double-doubles. Childs was already on the upswing and has scored in double digits in four of his last five games. He had a season-high 19 points on 6-of-8 from the field with 12 rebounds and four blocks in the win over Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 22. As long as he continues to get big minutes, Childs should be a leading contender for West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.

Kobi McEwen, guard, Utah State Aggies

Staying in the Beehive State, we have a guard who has started for the Aggies since the opening tip. The 6-4 McEwen seems to be growing in importance to the USU offense. In the first month of the season, he had some quiet games, but has now scored at least 10 points in five of his last six games. He had a season-high 21 points in the overtime win against Utah Valley State on Dec. 10. In addition to his 12.8 points, McEwen chips in 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He has averaged 18.3 points over his last three games.

Keith Braxton, guard, St. Francis (PA) Red Flash

Braxton has already established himself one of the best rebounding guards in the country. The 6-4 New Jersey native is hauling in 8.5 boards and dominated the glass for 19 boards in the loss to Stony Brook on Dec. 17. The Red Flash looks like it is in for another long season – they have not won more than 16 games over the last five seasons – with just three wins, but Braxton has shown some nice skills. He has a pair of double-doubles and is hitting 45.6 percent of his field goals. He also provides 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals.