With less than two weeks until the college basketball season, it is time to see which freshmen will impact the Big Ten basketball season. This year, the conference has some very talented freshmen, but they may not be in places you expect. While Indiana, Michigan State, UCLA, and Oregon would typically be the best recruiting schools in the conference, only one of them has one of five best freshmen this season. Talent will be spread out among the conference this year, which should lead to an interesting conference race.
Top 5 Freshmen To Watch in the Big Ten
1. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Yes, you read that right. The best freshman in the Big Ten is playing for Rutgers. Ace Bailey is the second overall recruit in the 2024 class. Rutgers faced St. John’s in a pre-season exhibition on October 17th and Bailey was the star of the show. The freshman scored 25 points and shot 4-9 from deep. He showed promise of being an elite scorer. However, Bailey can do more than just put the ball in the basket. He is an incredible athlete and a pretty good defender. If he can show consistent play throughout the season, he will likely be a lottery pick.
2. Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Well if you were surprised to see that Rutgers had the best freshmen in the Big Ten, you will be shocked when you find out that they actually have the two best freshmen in the conference. Dylan Harper is the younger brother of Rutgers legend Ron Harper Jr. Dylan chose the Scarlet Knights over powerhouse programs like Duke. He is the number three overall recruit in the class of 2024.
Like Bailey, Harper shined in the exhibition against St. John’s. He scored 20 points and shot 50% from the field. His best advantage may be his size. He is a 6-6 shooting guard who will be a matchup nightmare for other guards in the Big Ten.
3. Derik Queen, Maryland
Last season, Montverde Academy (FL) was the best high school basketball team in the country. The roster was littered with big-name recruits like Cooper Flagg and Liam McNeeley, but the team’s top scorer was Maryland commit Derik Queen. Queen is not your typical 5-star. He is not a high-flying dynamic athlete who will jump out of the gym. He gained his stars due to his skills. He is incredible in the post and can shoot the mid-range and even the deep ball. In addition to his scoring, he is an excellent passer and ballhandler for a big man. He likely won’t be a one-and-done, but his skillset will allow him to be a dominant player in the Big Ten.
4. Will Riley, Illinois
Illinois has been recruiting well for a few years now and the commitment of Will Riley exemplifies this. The Pennsylvania native is a scorer in every sense of the word. He can hit threes, get to the rim, and has a decent mid-range game. His 6’8 frame will allow him to be versatile, especially in a conference like the Big Ten. There are two main concerns with Riley’s game, defense and the ability to play as a secondary option. If he can improve defensively and learn not to be the focal point of an offense, he will excel in the Big Ten.
5. Bryson Tucker, Indiana
Indiana got one of the best athletes in the entire class with Bryson Tucker. He is also a tremendous scorer, especially from the mid-range. However, he can be seen as a bit of a project. He relied on his size to dominate in High School and has a subpar shot from distance. If he can learn how to utilize his skills instead of relying on size, he can develop into a really good player.
