March Madness: 10 key freshmen in 2019 NCAA Tournament

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 73-63 in the championship game of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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10. Neemias Queta, Utah State Aggies

Utah State Aggies big man Neemias Queta is an unknown name heading into the NCAA Tournament, but he won’t be by the end of things should things go their way.

Utah State got off to a rocking start in Craig Smith’s first season as head coach, going 28-6 in the regular season and 15-3 during conference play. Queta put up 11.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.7 assists per contest for the Aggies in 2018-19. He ranks third among all freshmen in blocks per game and put up 10 double-doubles this season.

He’s proven to be a solid paint protector for Utah State on the defensive end. In their MWC Tournament quarterfinal victory over the New Mexico Lobos, he tied his career-high with six blocks in their 91-83 victory last Thursday. He’s recorded at least one block in all but one of his 34 appearances this season.

As a No. 8 seed, the Aggies are on a collision course with the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. If they can get past the Washington Huskies in the always fun 8/9 game, look for Queta to play a role as an interior terror.

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