The Minnesota Gophers are 8-1 and find themselves getting some attention for a possible bid to the Big Dance next spring.
The play of a freshman has been one of the biggest differences for the Gophers this season. Through nine games, Amir Coffey is averaging 13.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
While there’s no question Coffey has been the biggest game-changer for the Gophers, is he the best Freshman in the Big Ten?
That’s a tough question to answer this early, but here’s a quick look at some of his competition:
Miles Bridges – Michigan State
Bridges is probably the best-known of the Michigan State freshmen.
He has only played in 8 of the Spartans 10 games but he’s been a force in East Lansing. The 6-foot-7 guard/forward is averaging 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Bridges also one of the better three-point shooters on the Spartans roster, knocking down 39 percent of his shots behind the arc. He also has 12 blocks in those eight games.
Nick Ward – Michigan State
Ward is a 6-foot-8 inch freshman, who averages 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He also has been big inside with a team-leading 16 blocks.
.@MSU_Basketball forward Nick Ward claims #B1GMBBall Freshman of the Week honors. pic.twitter.com/aOTFfE3NM9
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) December 5, 2016
Jordan Bohannon – Iowa
Bohannon specializes in the three-pointer. 23 of his 26 field goals have come from behind the arc, where the 6-foot guard shoots nearly 37 percent.
Bohannon is averaging 8.4 points per game and has a team leading 47 assists.
Tony Carr – Penn State
Carr has played well during Penn State’s first 10 games of 2016-17. The 6-foot-3 guard has done it all. He averages 11.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
He also leads Penn State with 37 assists.
