Recruiting in college basketball is not an exact science. Sure, it's easy for a coach to peg the top 25 guys in the country and make a concerted effort to get them, but (unless you are John Calipari) it takes more than that to run a successful program. For many teams, it's picking up unheralded players from outside the top 100 or top 150, and developing them into four-year performers who can help a program get to the next level.
The same goes for fantasy college basketball. Since most leagues require at least one freshman starter for each team, it's necessary that you put a guy in that slot who is guaranteed to contribute. Does that mean drafting every five-star recruit and seeing what happens? Doubtful. Over the course of the season, there will be several freshmen who leap onto the national scene who were not top-25 recruits coming out of high school.
It started two weeks ago with my list of the top-10 freshmen in the country. Now, it is time for the under-the-radar freshmen - players who you might be able to pick up in the mid-to-late rounds but will still make an impact. Some of these players still need to win starting jobs, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Juwan Staten, G, Dayton Flyers
The Flyers struggled with turnovers and half-court offense last season, but that should not be a problem with Staten running the show. He is an aggressive point guard who can get into the lane against most defenders, and he knows how to finish in a variety of ways - lay-ups at the rim, floaters, mid-range jumpers, pull-ups off the dribble. Staten knows how to run an offense, as he played with plenty of talent at Oak Hill Academy last season. He's only 5-foot-10, but his toughness and determination allow him to play taller than his height.
J.T. Terrell, G, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The Demon Deacons are going to need someone to step in and score from the wing right off the bat, as no double-figure scorers return from last season. Luckily, Terrell has one thing on his mind: scoring. In high school, he had a reputation as somewhat of a ballhog, but if he learns to play within the offense, he is going to put up some points. Terrell has tremendous range on his three-pointers, and he can get hot in a hurry. He is not just a shooter, though - he has the athleticism to finish in the lane.
Tim Hardaway Jr., G, Michigan Wolverines
Taller and more versatile than his famous father, the younger Hardaway will make an immediate impact on the perimeter for the Wolverines. He has tremendous length and plays with a noticeable smoothness to his game. Hardaway Jr. can hit shots from three-point land and also can get to the rim. He can handle the ball fairly well, but is much better suited for the shooting guard position, given his 6-foot-5 height. Once he adds some strength to his frame, look out.
Gilvydas Biruta, F, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The 6-foot-8 forward from Lithuania played at famed St. Benedict's Prep (N.J.) last season, and showed the versatility and skillset that will make him a factor for the Scarlet Knights. Biruta is an inside-outside forward who can shoot the three and bang down low. He is not afraid to do the dirty work, but he also is deceptively athletic. He will crash the offensive glass and finish with fierce dunks around the rim. Given the dearth of frontcourt options for Rutgers, Biruta should play right away.
Chris Crawford, G, Memphis Tigers
Josh Pastner brought in a fantastic recruiting class, headlined by three five-star recruits. However, the word out of Memphis is that Crawford could be the surprise of the group. He knows how to get to the rim with his explosive first step, but can also heat up with his jumper. The one thing that might jump out at onlookers, though, is his passing ability. For a 6-foot-4 scorer, Crawford is a tremendous passer who can find teammates in great position. If Crawford gets the minutes, he is going to put up numbers.
Gerard Coleman, G, Providence Friars
There is very little chance that Coleman does not start from day one for the Friars. The lanky 6-foot-4 lefty gets up and down the court as well as anyone in the country, and he can finish at the rim with contact and over stronger players. He is also a capable three-point shooter who is not afraid to let loose from beyond the arc. Coleman is very long and will also make an impact at the defensive end - something that Keno Davis desperately needs after last season's defensive debacle.
Markel Brown, G, Oklahoma State Cowboys
With James Anderson off to the NBA and Obi Muonelo graduating, there remains a spot on the wing for a high-volume scorer. The Cowboys will get up and down the court, leaving plenty of opportunities for Brown to put up points. He is tremendously athletic and at his best when playing in transition. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard has good form on his jump shot, although he needs to develop some consistency. Don't expect Anderson-esque numbers from Brown, but he will contribute.
Daniel Bejarano, G, Arizona Wildcats
The former Texas commit will be a perimeter producer for Sean Miller in his freshman campaign. Bejarano has a smooth stroke and is effective from behind the arc. He gets his shot off quickly, and has the size to see over defenses and shoot over zone packages. His dribble and mid-range game need work, but once he gets going from three-point range, it does not really matter. Bejarano moves well without the ball and is absolutely deadly when defenses give him a couple of seconds to operate.
Trevor Releford, G, Alabama Crimson Tide
With Mikhail Torrance gone, Releford will get the nod at the point guard position from the moment he steps on campus. The 5-foot-11 Kansas native - his brother, Travis, plays for the Jayhawks - is extremely quick and gets by defenders at will. He can get into the lane and finds teammates due to his court vision and passing ability. His three-point shot isn't consistent at this point, and he does tend to get somewhat out-of-control in traffic, but his defensive aggressiveness and quickness on offense guarantee playing time.
Andre Stringer, LSU Tigers
If I had written this article two weeks ago, Stringer would not likely be included in this group. Now, however, it's almost inevitable that he will make a substantial impact. Last year's starting point guard, Bo Spencer, was ruled academically ineligible and transferred to Nebraska; heralded freshman K.C. Ross-Miller was academically ineligible and left for Florida International; and Aaron Dotson is still battling knee problems. That leaves Stringer, a 5-foot-10 guard who can really fill it up. He has deep range and great lift on his jumper, and he is not afraid to make plays in the lane. He certainly doesn't lack confidence, and will be able to handle the rigors of SEC play.
Bruce Ellington, South Carolina Gamecocks
The Gamecocks are going to miss Devan Downey immensely, and that's where Ellington comes in. The 5-foot-9 guard is aggressive and extremely quick with the ball, applying pressure to opponents because of his non-stop motor and fearless attitude. Ellington gets into the lane and absorbs contact when finishing, and can really make plays when running the break. He can knock down threes, as well. Throw in good ball-handling ability and solid court vision, and he is going to make an impact.
Don't Forget: Two players who were expected to make a major impact last season are still freshmen and will make their debuts this year: Roberto Nelson of Oregon State and Renardo Sidney of Mississippi State. Nelson sat out all of last season due to academic problems, but reports out of Corvallis said that he might have been the best player on the roster last year. He is a strong guard who can really score, and might be the go-to-guy for Oregon State. Sidney is more of a headliner than Nelson, and he has a chance to be one of the top freshmen in the country. He sat out while the NCAA looked into his amateur status, and his punishment includes sitting out the first nine games this season. When he is focused and determined, Sidney is one of the most talented players in the country.
Keep an Eye On: There are several players who have a chance to be impact fantasy players if they make the starting lineup. Missouri's Phil Pressey is tailor-made for the Tigers' fast-paced system. He can push the ball as well as anyone in the country, and has outstanding passing ability. He also racks up steals and thrives in transition. Noah Cottrill of West Virginia has some players to beat out for a starting job, but he is an aggressive scorer who can get points at the rim or behind the arc, and is also a dynamite passer. He is tough and confident; we will hear his name at some point. With Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher moving on at California, there are backcourt spots to be had for the Golden Bears. Jorge Gutierrez will likely get one, leaving a spot for either Allen Crabbe or Gary Franklin. Crabbe is the better scorer and can really shoot, while Franklin can play the point but is also a great long-range shooter and comes from a winning program at Mater Dei (Calif.). We already mentioned Roberto Nelson, but head coach Craig Robinson has the option to go with an all-freshmen backcourt of Nelson and Ahmad Starks. Starks, a 5-foot-8 waterbug, is confident enough to make up for his lack of size, and he has the quickness and toughness to make plays for himself and teammates at the offensive end.
Jeff Borzello runs the college basketball blog, March Madness All Season, and is the National Recruiting Analyst for the NBE Basketball Report. You can reach him at marchmadnessallseason@yahoo.com.