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NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest takeaways from opening week of 2021-22 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

Feb 16, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Trevion Williams (50) dunks the ball in front of Michigan State Spartans forward Thomas Kithier (15) during the second half of the game at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Trevion Williams (50) dunks the ball in front of Michigan State Spartans forward Thomas Kithier (15) during the second half of the game at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Paolo Banchero Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Paolo Banchero Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Freshmen are for real

Perhaps it was because Cade Cunningham was so great and the hype was even greater, but it seemed most of the focus that was reserved for freshmen was directed at Cunningham. This is not to short change the over 16 points and almost nine rebounds Evan Mobley averaged or to say the 11.5 points Brand Boston averaged and the10 points Scottie Barnes averaged were under achievements, but this season it seems the freshmen are making a greater impact.

When Caleb Houston (12 ppg, 4,5 rpg) and Kennedy Chandler (18 ppg, 5 rpg) were tied for sixth in the RSCI coming into this season it says a lot for the freshman class. After two games the no.5 ranked recruit Patrick Baldwin is averaging a double-double with 20 points and over 10 rebounds per game while leading Milwaukee to a victory over North Dakota. Jabari Smith is the second-leading scorer on the 2-0  Auburn Tigers with 15.5 points per game and leads the Tigers in rebounds as his 3.5 steals per game is fifth in the SEC.

This is all before mentioning Paolo Banchero who leads Duke in scoring with 19.3 and rebounds 8.7 per game. Then there is the No. 1 freshman recruit on the RSCI who accumulated six more points than Banchero in Chet Holmgren. The 7’1 freshman had an incredible line for Gonzaga in their 34 point win over Dixie State where he had 14 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 6 assists.

In the Bulldogs’ 12-point victory over Texas, the freshmen played a completely different role and influenced every facet of the game despite only scoring two points while Drew Timme tallied up 37.

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