It’s never too early to start planning ahead. While the players highlighted in this article may not be having an outstanding season right now, the future looks bright for all of them. Whether it is because of a lack of playing time, an injury, or the player just not living up to their potential, all of the following players should have a better season next year. The current senior class has dominated this league for the past three seasons, and there will definitely be some major player turnover after this year. I selected one representative from each team for this article, all of which are either freshman or sophomores. Some have had a bigger impact this season than others, but all are capable of making big impacts next season. None of them will be All-Conference players this season, but the potential is there for many of these guys to be in the near future.
While fantasy leagues are all about having the best players on your team, depth is what wins championships. Some people become disinterested in drafts once all the big name players are gone. But the more production that you can get from your late round picks, the better off you will be. For fantasy college basketball, most leagues consist only of points, rebounds, and assists for the categories. While not all of these players will make big contributions in each category, they can all help you somehow. Some will be big scorers next year; while others will be do a little bit of everything. While the Big Ten will lose many seniors, along with players leaving early for the NBA Draft, the Big Ten should still be an ultra competitive conference next season. And if you want to build a fantasy basketball dynasty, keep these names in mind come draft day.
Illinois-Jereme Richmond, Freshman, Forward
After his first varsity high school ever, as a freshman, coach Bruce Weber offered Richmond a scholarship. Richmond accepted and stood true to his word to the Illinois program throughout his high school career. He was a highly touted player out of high school and has shown flashes of brilliance this season. Richmond averages 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists for the Fighting Illini. He has started six games this year and averages 22.3 minutes, but plays better when he comes off the bench. The Fighting Illini will lose four senior starters after this season, so playing time will not be an issue for Richmond much longer. NBADraft.net projects Richmond to be the ninth pick in the 2012 draft, which would be after his sophomore season. If Richmond is to improve that much by next June, he will need to cut down on his turnovers. He basically has a one-to-one assist-turnover ratio and has committed 14 turnovers over the past five games. He has a great mid-range jumper, seemingly a lost art in college basketball, but struggles from three-point range. At 6-foot-7, Richmond’s big asset is his versatility. He can handle the ball as well as post up. With Demetri McCamey graduating after this year, the next point guard for the Illini is in question. While Richmond will not be their primary ball handler, expect for there to be times where he plays the point next season. Richmond’s best game of the season came in a loss to Ohio State in late January. Richmond double-doubled in that game, by scoring 18 points and controlling 10 rebounds. I fully expect Richmond to be the Fighting Illini’s best all-around player next season.
Indiana-Victor Oladipo, Freshman, Guard
Oladipo started off the Big Ten season on fire. He scored at least 13 points in his first four Big Ten contests and it looked like Indiana was going to have another consistent scorer. But since then, Oladipo has only scored in double figures three times, and never scoring over 13. With a young yet deep backcourt, Oladipo’s minutes have been somewhat limited. He only averages 18.0 minutes and played a season-low eight minutes in a loss to Northwestern on Feb. 19. Since Indiana only graduates Jeremiah Rivers, it is tough to determine how much more Oladipo will play next season. It is hard to imagine that Maurice Creek will be fully recovered next year, so Oladipo could ideally be their third starting guard along with Verdell Jones III and Jordan Hulls. Oladipo is a slasher that can get to the rim and has a great leaping ability. Earlier this season, Oladipo was on Sportscenter’s Top Play when he hit a 60-foot desperation heave against Penn State. He does average 1.4 turnovers, which is a high mark for only playing 18 minutes a contest. The talent is definitely there for Oladipo; it is just whether or not he can become a complete player that is in question. If he can improve this off-season, there is no reason why his minutes and production should not increase for the Hoosiers next season.
Iowa-Cully Payne, Sophomore, Guard
Payne has sat out all but five games this season with a torn oblique muscle. But last season, Payne started all 32 games at the point guard position for Iowa. He averaged 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. He did struggle at times handling the ball though, averaging 3.2 turnovers. Assuming Payne can get healthy, he will apart of an Iowa team that returns everyone besides Jarryd Cole next year. But with the emergence of current point guard Bryce Cartwright, Payne may need to take on a different role. Neither Cartwright nor Payne are great outside shooters, so moving one of them to the shooting guard might not be the best idea. Payne may have to come off the bench behind Cartwright if this is the case. Payne averaged a gruesome 33.4 minutes as a true freshman last season, and it might not be the worst idea to give him some rest when he returns from his lingering injury. I fully expect Payne to still play significant minutes next season and to contribute to the improving Hawkeye program.
Michigan-Jordan Morgan, Freshman, Forward
The 6-foot-8 redshirt freshman has done nothing but improve over the course of his first season as a Wolverine. He often is the only Michigan player on the floor that stands taller than 6-foot-5, as coach John Beilein runs a heavy three-point shooting offense. As Michigan’s only inside threat, Morgan averages 9.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. He has yet to grab a double-double this season, despite scoring in double figures eight times over the course of the Big Ten campaign. Morgan scored a career-high 27 points on 11-for-13 shooting against Northwestern on Feb. 9. Just three weeks before that though, Morgan was held to five points while picking up four fouls against that same Northwestern team. Like most freshman, Morgan plays better at home than on the road. Michigan will return every player on their current roster next season and expectations will be high, due to their surprisingly good season this year. Morgan should continue to improve and should be expected to start compiling some double-doubles next season. Six times this season, he has been within two rebounds of a double-double. If he can add some more strength to his 240 pound build, his rebounding numbers will increase greatly. His point production will increase as well, and he could start consistently scoring in double figures next year.
Michigan State-Keith Appling, Freshman, Guard
To start as a freshman on team that made Final Four appearances the past two seasons is an impressive feat. This is what Appling has done, by starting 18 of the Spartan’s 28 games this season. While his 5.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists are not eye-opening statistics, Appling has cemented himself as the future of the Michigan State backcourt. Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers will be graduating after this season, and Korie Lucious is transferring from MSU, leaving Appling as the only returning guard that plays significant minutes for next season. Appling started his collegiate career with 14 points in a win over Eastern Michigan in early November. Appling’s career-high in points came on Jan. 15 though, when he scored 19 points against Northwestern. Michigan State made a late run in that game to force overtime, where they eventually won. Appling shot 5-for-8 from three point range in that game, but has not hit multiple three-pointers in any game since that. With the Spartans surprisingly struggling this season, next year could be rough again. They do return Draymond Green and Delvon Roe in the frontcourt, but for a program that has produced Magic Johnson, Scott Skiles, Mateen Cleaves, and now Kalin Lucas, the point guard position is key. Appling has all the tools to be the next Spartan player to join that elite list of guards.
Minnesota-Rodney Williams, Sophomore, Guard
Williams is arguably the best athlete in the entire Big Ten, and sported a 28 inch vertical as an eighth-grader. He is one of the better dunkers in the country, but there are other areas of his game that still need work for him to play the next level. Williams only shoots 22.7 percent from three point range and 47.3 percent from the foul line. Williams has just about doubled his average in many categories this season though: now playing 24.5 minutes per game, and averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He has started nearly every game for the undermanned Golden Gophers, who have lost guards Al Nolen to injury and Devoe Joseph to transferring. Because of this, Williams has played a lot more shooting guard this season, opposed to his natural small forward position. He posted a double-double in a win over Akron in December, but has been inconsistent in the scoring column. Williams will be the best return backcourt player for Minnesota next season, as both Blake Hoffarber and Al Nolen graduate. This will allow him to play more small forward and I believe that he will have a breakout season. Next season when the media is choosing their Most Improved player in the conference, expect to hear Williams name brought up.
Northwestern-JerShon Cobb, Freshman, Guard
Being the only freshman on Northwestern, Cobb is a bright spot for the future of the Wildcats. He is fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 8.0 points. He also averages 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while starting all 25 games that he has played in. Currently, he is nursing a hip flexor injury that kept him out of their game against Wisconsin on Sunday. With Michael Thompson graduating after this season, Cobb may need to do a little ball handling next year. He can shoot midrange jumpers or slash to the basket, and is arguably the Wildcat’s best player at creating his own shot. While the loss of Thompson hurts Northwestern, they will still return six of their top seven players next year. Cobb will average double figures in scoring next year without a doubt in my mind, and either be the team’s second or third leading scorer. He has adapted well to the Princeton Offense and unlike most freshmen, has played well on the road. Cobb was the only NU player to score in double figures during an atrocious 65-41 loss to Penn State a few weeks back. With a healthy Cobb and John Shurna next season, maybe the Wildcats can get over the hump and make their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Ohio State-Deshaun Thomas, Freshman, Forward
Thomas had his best game of his young collegiate career this past Sunday. He scored 22 points in 24 minutes, while the Buckeyes defeated Indiana. Thomas’ career-high came in his collegiate debut though, when he scored 24 points against North Carolina A&T. The former Mr. Basketball in the state of Indiana, Thomas only plays 14.6 minutes per game. He is the second player to come off the Ohio State bench, for a team that only plays seven guys regularly. Still, Thomas averages 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds. But with three senior starters and Jared Sullinger likely leaving to play in the NBA, Thomas and William Buford will be the Buckeye’s go-to-guys next year. Thomas did go through a three game stretch without scoring in early February, partially because he only played 21 minutes combined in those games. Assuming Thad Matta continues his trend of not playing a deep bench, Thomas’ averages minutes could easily double next season. His current points per minute is nearly identical to Sullinger’s. He takes a shot almost every two minutes of game time, and at 6-foot-6 Thomas can play either the small or power forward position. Despite so many players leaving Ohio State after this year, the future of their program looks very bright.
Penn State-Tim Frazier, Sophomore, Guard
Frazier will be the lone returning starter for Penn State next season, in what looks like a rebuilding year for the program. Frazier can do a little bit of everything, averaging 5.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. The 6-foot-1 sophomore will have a lot of weight placed on his shoulders next season and he will need to become more assertive offensively. His current 4.4 shots per game will increase dramatically and will probably at least double. He only shoots 25 percent from three point range, but has made four of his last six from out there. During the past four games, Frazier has scored in double figures three times and has averaged 10.5 points. Filling Talor Battle’s shoes is a tough task to fill, but this hard-nosed player will not let lack of effort be the reason if Penn State is to struggle next year. He is a great on-the-ball defender and averages 1.1 steals. In Penn State’s most recent game, Frazier recorded 10 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds. He is a great triple-double candidate since he is such a good rebounder for a point guard. Penn State has been the surprise of the league this season and with contributions from players other than just Frazier, they could be a surprise next year as well.
Purdue-Kelsey Barlow, Sophomore, Guard
A member of last year’s All-Freshman Team in the Big Ten, Barlow has found his role on the Boilermaker squad. While he only averages 5.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, he does many things that do not show up on the stat sheet. At 6-foot-5, Barlow can do a lot defensively. He can defend guards by using his size against them, or defend forward and use his speed and athleticism. While Barlow is not a good outside shooter, he can drive the ball to the basket and is a high-flyer. He only plays 19.6 minutes, but this is because Matt Painter often alternates Barlow and D.J. Byrd into the game to defend the other team’s best player. Barlow’s minutes should go up next year with the losses of JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore. Fortunately for Purdue, all will not be lost, as Robbie Hummel will return to play after sustaining a season-ending torn ACL this year. Barlow’s statistics should increase next season, although maybe not dramatically. His role on this Purdue squad will change though, since he should be playing more minutes next year and will have to take care of handling the ball when Lewis Jackson is out of the game.
Wisconsin-Josh Gasser, Freshman, Guard
To be only the third freshman to start under Bo Ryan at Wisconsin is an honor. Current NBA players Alando Tucker an Devin Harris were the other two players to start under Ryan as freshmen. Gasser is fourth on Wisconsin in scoring and rebounding, averaging 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds. With the departure of Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankivil at the conclusion of this season though, Gasser will be the Badger’s second best returning playing next year behind Jordan Taylor. After starting out shaky in Big Ten play, Gasser has really elevated his game. He has played at least 33 minutes in all of the past eight games, including a game in which he banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer to beat Michigan. The game-winning shot was not Gasser’s only highlight of his season though. He became the first player in Wisconsin history to record a triple-double, when he scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists in a win over Northwestern on Jan. 23. He also scored 21 points and pulled in nine rebounds in his collegiate debut against Prairie View A&M in mid-November. While Gasser is not as flashy as many of the players on this list, he will be maybe the most consistent. Gasser is already accustomed to Bo Ryan’s swing offense and should have a solid four years in his Wisconsin jersey.