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.

MINNESOTA

Richard Pitino brought in a group of five in his 2015 class at Minnesota with all filling major holes that were left by last year’s graduating class. While questions are still at hand with the health of DeLaSalle grad and freshman guard Jarvis Johnson, the guy that could step up early and often is Kevin Dorsey. The 5-foot-11 guard should fill in nicely for recent graduates DeAndre Mathieu and Andre Hollins in the backcourt and while the shoes to fill are immense, the Paul VI graduate out of Virginia comes to Minnesota with a great, winning pedigree in competing with the grueling WCAC program and in running with the highly successful Team Takeover program during the summer circuit. While Dorsey doesn’t have the greatest size in the world, his toughness and physicality makes up for it where he competes on each possession, is capable of scoring through contact off his feet, and should pair quite nicely alongside sophomore guard Nate Mason in the backcourt. Expect for a solid four-year career out of Dorsey and it seems that he has already impressed those within the program during his first few days on campus.

NEBRASKA

It wasn’t the best of seasons for Tim Miles and his crew last year. Nebraska was coming off a great season the year prior and a lot was expected out of the Cornhuskers heading into the 2014-2015 campaign. However, outside of the one-two punch of Shavon Shields and Terran Petteway, there wasn’t many reliable threats that could give consistent production on the floor. With Pettway graduated, someone has to step up and with a quality incoming class to Lincoln, it would seem that Glynn Watson could leave a lasting mark on the Big 10 squad. While Ed Morrow, a 6-foot-7, high motor big man out of Simeon in Chicago, should be an instant force on the glass, the ball might be handed to Watson from day one. The 6-foot-1 floor general can score it and distribute without much of an issue and where the Huskers struggled last year was in finding a facilitator out top who could create for Petteway and Shields, that might all change with the Illinois native on the roster. With Watson in tow, expect for the lead guard to contribute early on as he was one of the more consistent producers at the lead guard spot within his graduating class this past  year, especially within his geographical region that was the daunting Midwest.

NORTHWESTERN

Chris Collins has things headed in the right direction and might even be able to get his Big 10 program to its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance this season. With guys like Alex Olah, Vic Law, and Bryant McIntosh leading the way, the Wildcats may be one sleeper team come March. With the incoming class headed to Evanston this fall, there is plenty of fine traits that the three person class exhibits and while Derek Pardon might be able to contribute off the bench with his rebounding skills and Jordan Ash in backing up McIntosh, the guy to watch is Aaron Falzon. One of the best shooters in America heading into college this fall, the 6-foot-7 forward is more than just a spot up shooter. Sure, the Northfield Mount Hermon product can really stroke it with his feet set but he has improved his skillset enough in attacking poor closeouts with his right hand, making pinpoint passes off the perimeter, and showing off fine instincts and toughness on the glass. Falzon should be relied upon early by Collins’ crew because of his lethal shooting abilities and turn into a broad producer on the stat sheet as his time at the Big 10 program progresses. The freshman could be a difference maker later this year and should provide a nice X-factor for the Wildcats during conference play.