As we head into our next series of the spotlight freshmen to watch in each respective major conference, the Big 10 is a group of teams that has continued to get stronger, from top to bottom, which should breed even more competitive games during the dog days of conference play.

Programs like Michigan State, Indiana, and Ohio State have been known for bringing in five-star talent in past years, however don’t sleep on schools like Purdue, Northwestern, and Illinois, who have been able to capture not just quality talent, but ideal fits for the respective system that each coach runs. Again, this is not a spotlight on the best talent that the respective program incorporated into its program this fall, but rather the freshman with the best chance of succeeding and being leaned upon early on during his stay on campus.

ILLINOIS

Every year it seems that the injury bug has hit John Groce’s squad at Illinois ever since he took over for the Big 10 program a few years back. With a four person incoming class to Champaign, while there is a lot of talent across the board at the 1-4, there might be a lot expected out of Jalen Coleman-Lands. The 6-foot-4 guard from La Lumiere School in Indiana, has the potential to go off on the scoreboard in a blink of an eye. He was one of the most efficient scorers of the basketball in his senior year of play and on the Nike EYBL circuit and is even able to slide over and run some point when needed. However, Coleman-Lands went down with a stress fracture in his left leg and is just now getting his bearings back with his health. When at 100-percent, the native of Indianapolis brings a composed, mature approach to the floor and is someone that can be mixed and matched with many different lineups in the backcourt. In getting his leg strengthened, Coleman-Lands has the chance to become a freshman all-conference honoree during his first year of play in the Big 10.

INDIANA

The Hoosiers bring in a quality class of forwards to Bloomington but it is a 6-foot-10 big man by way of Rochester, New York that should give immediate contributions down low. There is no questioning the triumvirate of guards that the Hoosiers throw out on the floor with the likes of Yogi Ferrell, Robert Johnson, and James Blackmon, and with big time athlete Troy Williams playing the face-up 4 spot on the floor, the need for a dominant interior force is all that has been lacking for Tom Crean in past years. Enter Thomas Bryant. The big fella competes like Kevin Garnett as there is no let off in the freshman’s motor and his impact on the glass and in the lane as an interior presence is as good as it gets within the 2015 recruiting class. Bryant can also stretch the defense out with the perimeter jumper via the pick and pop, but it would be in Indiana’s best interest in keeping the intimidator around the basket in cleaning the glass, protecting his rim, and scoring off the post-entry catch. Bryant might be the best rebounder of the ball that Crean has ever lured to the Big 10 program and by putting him on the floor, it should create great separation for the primetime strokes via Blackmon and Johnson, along with 6-foot-6 forward, Collin Hartman.

IOWA

The Hawkeyes lose some talent with the likes of Aaron White and Gabe Olesani, yet bring in a quality group with its 2015 recruiting class. While it may always be difficult to land top-100 talent at Iowa, what Fran McCaffery and his staff has done is pinpoint guys that will fit their particular system and also will grow immensely during their stay on campus. Take for instance Aaron White. The 6-foot-8 forward was choosing between Iowa and Duquesne out of high school and is now playing in the NBA. With the Strongsville, Ohio native now gone, the Big 10 squad isn’t totally lacking of talent as they still showcase guys like Mike Gesell, Jarrod Uthoff,  Adam Woodberry, and Anthony Clemmons. Where the Hawkeyes may need help is on the wings and they bring in three more than capable guys this fall. While Andrew Fleming and Isaiah Moss should provide good minutes at times, it is Brandon Hutton that takes the spotlight as the best immediate contributor in Iowa City. The Chicago native is best whenever the game speeds up and has a good shot when his feet are set, but his true value comes on the defensive end of the floor. McCaffery’s crew shouldn’t have a ton of issues in scoring the ball with the group coming back and thus, this should allow for Hutton to play to his strengths and become a defensive stopper down the stretch. Relying on a freshman for his defensive prowess can be a bit of a reach at times and while Hutton might not be the most productive on the stat sheet this fall, his true presence should be felt through his broad range of defensive abilities on the perimeter and energy levels out on the floor.