The Rebirth: Five Freshman Who Can Counter Disappointing Start

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

College Basketball recruiting is as misleading as the hype that surrounds it. Many players are highly-touted coming out of high school, and are proclaimed as super freshman, but not many have stepped up to the plate.

There are many freshman that have already made their mark on the College Basketball world.

Take Duke's Kyrie Irving for example. Irving currently is tied for first in scoring for the No. 1 team in the nation at 16.8 points, as well as 5.5 assist per game.

Kentucky freshman Brandon Knight, and Terrence Jones have also made major noise as the top players in the game.

However, some players aren't as fortunate, and isn't currently in the right situation coming in.

Here is a look at some of the freshman that hasn't lived up to their high expectations.

C.J. Leslie (NCSU) - 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks per game
C.J. Leslie was looked on to be the superstar of this young Wolfpack team that has just three seniors. Despite starting the season off with a 21 point, six rebound, six block campaign, Leslie has looked like a non-factor from there on. Leslie has scored in double-figures twice this whole season. Leslie has struggled from the field in his last three games nailing 6-of-21(28%) shots and NC State is (1-2) over that stretch. His jumpshot, and ability to work for his shot has to improve if he wants to live up to his lofty expectations.

Patric Young (FLA) - 4.2 points, 3.0 rebounds per game
When Patric Young committed to Florida nobody expected him to start, but most expected him to be a fearsome competitor off the bench. However, coach Billy Donavan hasn't seen much aggressiveness out of his 6-foot-9 freshman and it shows both on the court and on the stats sheet. Young, converts on a lot of his attempts but doesn't seem to take many shots. The Gators need Young to be aggressive off the bench, and ignite the second unit with great post play.

Fab Melo (SYR) - 2.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks per game
Fab Melo was considered the No. 1 center in the 2010 recruiting class. However, he has yet to live up to the expectations of being a go to post threat down low. Melo has started all seven games for Syracuse, but only logging an average of 13.4 minutes per game. Melo has struggled getting into a groove, which really hurts his playing time. Syracuse needs Melo to attack the boards, and become what everyone pegged him as, which was the best low post scorer in the 2010 class.

Terrence Ross (WASH) - 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist per game
Ross was brought to Washington with the belief that he could ignite the wing. However, early he has done everything but that. Ross comes off the bench for the Huskies and rarely produces in his 13.7 minutes of play. Ross is on a cold streak hitting on 20 percent of his shots during this stretch. For Ross to bounce back, he needs to continue to work on his jumper, and build confidence in his jump shot.

Harrison Barnes (UNC) - 11.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assist per game
Barnes had so much unbearable pressure placed on him before he touched a basketball. He was pegged as AP Preseason All American, and is the main reason the 'Heels were a top-10 team when the season started. Barnes hasn't necessarily played bad, more so, hasn't played good. Barnes has been off from the field, but that is definitely commendable and could be curbed in no time. I expect Barnes to shake his cold shooting and become the leader the 'Heels need.

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Add "Contender" To the Florida Gators Resume

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last era is marked with the back-to-back National Championship winner, Florida Gators. 

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself. And the Gators were moving forward with Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer. 

Being a National Champion was also a feather in the cap of both the Gator and their fans.

However, once Horford, Noah and Brewer left to play in the NBA, the Gators relied on their top ranked 2007 recruiting class to help them continue success. 

They brought in Nick Calathes, Chandler Parsons, Adam Allen, Jai Lucas, and Alex Tyus. 

All five of these players were considered to be one of the best in the recruiting class. Especially Calathes and Parsons, they created a lot of thrill coming out of high school. 

Many suspected to see all these players to continue the Gators dominance.

On the other hand, things went in a different way! In their first season together they were a 21-win team when the regular season ended. 

They weren't invited to the NCAA tournament, but did make a run to the NIT semi-finals before losing to the Massachusetts Minutemen. 

That was not the ultimate season but the Gators did see the potential in their talented but young team. 

The next season, nothing improved, the Gators were granted a NIT berth. After another NIT loss and Calathes left for the NBA draft. 

That left a hole in the backcourt that Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker would curb.

Just last year, the Gators were finally granted a NCAA berth, led by freshmen Boynton. 

Parsons and Tyus both stepped up significantly and Florida has some clarity. 

The Gators lost Dan Werner and Ray Shipman from last year's first-round team. 

They returned everyone else and brought in a great recruiting class. Patric Young, the exciting McDonalds All-American and Casey Prather are going to be in blue and orange next season.

Young is an electrifying shot-blocker in the post. He stands at 6-foot-9 but still has the ability to alter and block a lot of shots. Also, he will be very good in the pick-and-roll. 

His ability to finish around the rim will allow him to jump and catch alley-oops while rolling to the basket. 

Prather is 6-foot-6 wingman. He is a great slasher to the rim displaying soft hands and the ability to find teammates. 

Cody Larson, Scottie Wilbekin, Will Yequete will also be huge contributors. Not to mention, the transfer of Mike Rosario will pay off down the road.

The Gators 2010 recruiting class, mixed with last season's success has solidified them as contenders. I expect them to make a deep run in the tournament this season. 

Though Walker and Boynton will sparkle on their decision-making, the Gators have the chance to make a great run in the tournament next year.

As said correctly, victory is sweetest when you've known defeat. I wish them all the good luck for future!