Freshman Haze: Riller the Thriller

The last 12 weeks, I have profiled seven freshmen per week. This is the last week of new profiles, and I think I have written about all of the relevant first-year players to fantasy college basketball concerns. There is the possibility that some new frosh will step up in the last month of the regular season, but it will be too late for me. On Sunday, I'll throw all 84 freshmen and their numbers into a spreadsheet and rank them against one another. Next week, we'll start looking at the best freshmen of the season. My rankings do not take competition level into consideration, but it would still be a surprise to see anyone but Markelle Fultz on top. Stay tuned!

Justin Jackson, guard, Maryland Terrapins

Even after losing 80 percent of its starting lineup from a Sweet 16 team, the Terrapins seemed have pretty good prospects in the Big 10. The team had leading scorer Melo Trimble and the junior has been boosted by some impressive freshman. Jackson has the same name as the North Carolina wing, but the 6-foot-7 Terrapin freshman has put up better numbers as a freshman. The Canadian Jackson is coming off his best game as he led Maryland past Minnesota on Saturday with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and five 3-pointers (in five attempts). He has not scored in double-digits in three straight games yet, but maybe the game against the Golden Gophers was just what he needed to end the season on a scoring jag.

Sa'eed Nelson, guard, American Eagles

Last week, we looked at a number of interesting freshmen point guards, but may have missed out on one of the most productive. The Eagles seem to be perennially in rebuilding mode, but they may have a player to build around in the 6-1 Nelson. He leads the team with 15.0 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 steals. Before being held steal-less in Sunday's loss to Colgate, Nelson had nabbed multiple steals in five straight games. He has room to improve his shooting stroke: the guard is making just 23.2 percent of his 3-pointers and 56.7 percent of his free throws.

Justin Miller, forward, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns

The Ragin' Cajuns were expected to fade into the woodwork without Shawn Long, but the team has continued to compete without its double-double machine. Junior Bryce Washington has stepped into the double-double limelight and he has been complemented by the 6-7 Miller. Like Jackson, the southpaw is coming off one of his best games of the season with 12 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the win over Little Rock on Saturday. Miller does not always get playing time and has been held to nine minutes or fewer three times. He can bring defenses off of Washington by hitting 3-pointers (33.3 percent) and is second on the team with 5.0 rebounds to go with 10.6 points.

Mikey Dixon, guard, Quinnipiac Bobcats

The Bobcats have not had a lot of success in the past few years. They won just nine games in 2015-16 and have eight wins in 21 tries in the new season. One can only wonder where Quinnipiac would be without the 6-2 Dixon. In the team's eight wins, the guard has averaged 21.3 points (compared to 13.7 points in losses). Dixon has a complete offensive package and has shooting percentages (47.5 percent from the field, 39.0 percent on 3-pointers, 86.2 percent from the line) to prove it. In his last five games (two Bobcats wins), he has averaged 20.6 points and has converted 13 3-pointers.

Grant Riller, guard, College of Charleston Cougars

Riller was expected to boost the Cougars' backcourt last season, but was lost for the season with a knee injury in October 2015. The redshirt freshman took some time to find his sea legs. He has found his way and has been very productive the last two weeks. In his last five games, Riller has averaged 20.6 points and hit half of his 3-pointers with an exclamation mark of 30 points in the win over Drexel on Saturday. He has attempted 36 free throws (making 31, 86.1 percent) over that span. Riller could be among the leading scorers in the CAA next season.

Charles Williams, guard, Howard Bison

The Bison were expected to be one of the better teams in the MEAC because they came into the season with a known quantity: last year's leading scorer James Daniel. The senior has been limited to two early January games because of recurring ankle issues. Daniel's absence has opened the way for the 6-4 Williams to blossom. After an uncertain start to the season, Williams has found his way in conference play. Through six games, the freshman guard is averaging 21.7 points and has hit for 30 points or more twice. On Saturday, Williams had 37 points in the loss to Savannah State.

Tarkus Ferguson, guard, UIC Flames

Like Howard, UIC lost its most well-known player when Dikembe Dixson tore his ACL after 10 games. The loss of the 6-7 sophomore has allowed other players to get more shine. Junior forward Tai Odiase has put up 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. The 6-4 Ferguson has also found a new role as the team's point guard. He joined the starting lineup in the second game and suffered the usual freshman inconsistencies through non-conference play. In Horizon League games, Ferguson is averaging 13.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. He opened some eyes with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in the loss to Wright State on Sunday.