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Big Ten: 5 Freshman Making An Immediate Impact In 2016-17

By Casey Pazzalia

Dec 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jordan Bohannon (3) goes to the basket during the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa won 69-46. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jordan Bohannon (3) goes to the basket during the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa won 69-46. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Anthony Cowan (0) calls a play against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Anthony Cowan (0) calls a play against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Anthony Cowan, Maryland

Coming into this year, Maryland was in desperate need of help after four of last year’s starters turned pro.

Enter Anthony Cowan, the No. 1 recruit from the state of Maryland.

Brought in as the successor to superstar Melo Trimble, Cowan is proving to be way ahead of schedule.

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If every superstar needs a sidekick, then Anthony Cowan is exactly that to Melo Trimble. Together, the pair has become one of the most feared backcourts in all the Big Ten.

While Trimble gets much of the fanfare, it’s Cowan who is the motor that makes this team go.

Cowan, a hometown freshman from Bethesda, Maryland, is filling the stat sheet like a seasoned veteran. Through 18 games, he is averaging 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Even though his offensive stats are impressive, his defense is extremely valuable, too.

He’s a pesky on-ball defender and plays with an energy that his teammates feed off. His 19 steals rank second among all Big Ten freshman.

Although, he only stands six feet tall, Anthony Cowan is playing the second most minutes of all Terrapins players. He’s started every one of Maryland’s games, helping them to a conference best 16 wins.