Big Ten Basketball: Top 10 biggest impact freshmen from the 2023-24 season

10. Cam Heide, Purdue

Stats: 12.0 MPG, 3.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG

Technically Cam Heide isn't a first-year player, as he spent the 2022-23 season with Purdue recovering from a foot injury, but he fits the bill playing his freshman season this winter. Much like Colvin, Heide has struggled to find significant minutes on this Purdue team, but his 18 points against Rutgers last week was a sign of things to come for the 6'7" wing.

Also like Colvin, Heide's three-point shooting ability is his big selling point, but he has the potential to be so much more. He's got the size and feel to be a really disruptive defender for Purdue, and he rebounds the ball very well for his position. It will be interesting to see what he needs down the stretch for Matt Painter and the Boilermakers, who will need to showcase their depth if they hope to complete a long NCAA Tournament run this year.

9. Scotty Middleton, Ohio State

Stats: 15.1 MPG, 3.8 PPG, 37% 3-Point

Much like the other freshmen at this point on the ranking, Scotty Middleton isn't exactly putting up eye-popping numbers. But, Middleton has seen a healthy amount of action as a true freshman and could be a long-term piece for the Ohio State Buckeyes as they bring in a new head coach next season.

Middleton is a superb athlete with plenty of flash to his game and at 6'7", 190 pounds, he can play and defend multiple positions for the Buckeyes. His shooting has come as a pleasant surprise, as his 37% is very respectable at this point in his career, even if he doesn't shoot the three at an incredibly high level. The next step for Middleton as he continues to grow and develop is going to be about finding more consistency night-in, night out, and improving his shot selection. His 35% field goal shooting leaves plenty to be desired, but that's to be expected from a young freshmen like him playing on an Ohio State team near the bottom of the conference standings.