THE TOP 5 FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Next week on the show, Mark and I will have our 2008 College Basketball Preview. Until then, here's a quick look at the top five freshman on campus this season. Last year, top first year players included the likes of OJ Mayo, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon, Anthony Randolph, and Jerryd Bayless, all top 15 picks in the NBA draft.

1. DeMar DeRozan--F, USC, 6-7, 200 lbs
The Compton, California product (pictured) will pick up right where OJ Mayo left off when he bolted for millions of dollars and the thrill of playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. DeRozan is ridiculously athletic and can score from anywhere on the floor. Maybe he won't score 30.6 points per game, like he did his senior year at Compton High, but he'll certainly be a focus in the USC offense.

2. Jrue Holiday-- SG, UCLA, 6-3, 190 lbs
Holiday has been called the best UCLA freshman since Baron Davis, and the season hasn't even really started yet! He dominated the McDonald's High School All-American game last year, putting up 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 assists. The return of point guard Darren Collison helps Holiday because he won't have to handle the ball as much and can play at the 2 instead of running the offense for the Bruins.

3. Samardo Samuels--F, Louisville, 6-8, 240 lbs
Rick Pitino's Cardinals will get a huge boost from Samuels, who is set to play a ton of minutes this season. The 6-8 Jamaican is a tremendous rebounder, and was named USA Today's National Player of the Year. He may, however, take some time to get used to the college game. Plus he is the only player on this list, or any of our lists for that matter, with the first name of Samardo.

4. Kemba Walker--G, UConn, 6-0, 175 lbs
Walker is the now rarely seen pass-first point guard. The former Rice High (Bronx, NY) star is extremely quick and is very good handling the rock. If Jim Calhoun wants to pressure the ball and press more this season, he certainly got the right guy for the job. Walker also has the best nickname of any player coming into college hoops this year: EZ Pass.

5. Tyreke Evans--SG, Memphis, 6-6, 219 lbs
Not a great jump shot. That's really the only knock on Evans' game coming into his first (and probably only) year at Memphis. He has a quick first step and is a strong passer, so he should be able to drive and kick, or throw it down. He has a 6-11 wingspan, and will fit in well in John Calipari's system. He should give a nice boost to a team that lost three of it's starters--Derrick Rose (Bulls), Chris Douglas-Roberts (Nets), and Joey Dorsey (Rockets)-- to the NBA.