Before Lance Stephenson signed with Cincinnati last week, I had sketched out my preseason freshmen top ten. I thought about keeping Stephenson off, but the more I hear about him, the more I think he may the ideal, me-first fantasy player. While ballhogs are generally not wanted on basketball teams, they make for some of the best fantasy players.  So, Florida State G Michael Snaer fell off the list (although he may be a chucker too). I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen any of these players play and I am mostly going on scouting reports and perceived fit for a team. I also am not looking at anything beyond Tier 1. Last year, I gave Nevada F Luke Babbitt a crazy review, but I am generally pretty conservative when it comes to prospecting. I don’t think any of these players will transcend their class and be the next college basketball superstar, but I think this class is better than the freshman class of 2008-09.

1. F Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Had Gani Lawal decided to stay in the NBA draft, Favors would have been on firmer ground as the top incoming freshmen. The more I considered it, the more I thought that maybe Lawal’s return will actually be a benefit to Favors. By sharing the low post responsibility, Lawal will allow favors more opportunities to showcase his impressive athleticism. Because opposing defenses will have to consider Lawal, who provided 15.1 ppg and 9.6 rpg, Favors should get more open looks and may be a force on the boards. Of course, it’s possible that the two players will get in one another’s way, but I am confident that coach Paul Hewitt will work it out and get the Yellow Jackets into the top half of the ACC after finishing last year in the basement.

2. G John Wall, Kentucky Wildcats
Based on the hype, Wall is the top prospect for the 2010 NBA draft. However, hype won’t help in fantasy leagues and Wall has some obstacles to get over to become a fantasy producer. Coach John Calipari won’t be one of those impediments and has shown the willingness to put the ball in a freshman’s hands (i.e. Derrick Rose, Tyrese Evans, etc.) and them work it out. However, this year’s Wildcat squad has better low post players (Patrick Patterson, DeMarco Cousins) than any of Coach Cal’s previous Memphis squads, so Wall will have to learn how to share. The 6-3 point guard should still be an impact performer, but he wouldn’t one of the players I’d select at the top of the draft.

3. G Avery Bradley, Texas Longhorns
After three years of consistent play, the Longhorn backcourt is in a state of transition. That state won’t last long with Bradley entering the scene. The  6-3 shooting guard from Tacoma, Washington should get plenty of playing time and make the most of his ability to get to the basket. According to Scouts, Inc., Bradley relishes his opportunities to ballhawk and that should lead to many easy baskets on the fast break. Steals are notoriously inconsistent as far as stats to rely upon, but I think Bradley will bring plenty of steals, points, and field goal percentage as well as rebounds for a guard. Longhorn coach Rick Barnes is like Calipari in that he uses his freshmen heavily.

4. G Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati Bearcats
Because of a clouded legal history and schools unwillingness to take on a risk, Stephenson was left out in the cold until last week when he signed on with Mick Cronin’s Bearcats. The 6-5, 220 lb Stephenson should be a nice fit (if he is indeed eligible) for the Bearcat offense that already has some pieces in place. The team was dominated by Deonta Vaughn, but Stephenson should take some of the scoring load from Vaughn. The two guards may be able to complement each other with Stephenson being the powerful slasher and Vaughn lofting shots from the perimeter. While he is a likely one-and-done candidate (and the one is a bit of a surprise), he should make his mark in Ohio.

5. G Abdul Gaddy, Washington Huskies
This appears to be a down year for the Pac 10. That will almost certainly be true of the southern California teams. While the Huskies lose a major piece in Jon Brockman, their backcourt should be one of the best in the country. Gaddy is a natural point guard who will allow Isaiah Thomas to stay to his more natural shooting guard position. The 6-3 Gaddy, who like Bradley is from Tacoma, will also be a nice defensive balance for the 5-8 Thomas. The Huskies should battle Cal for the top spot in the Pac 10 and it will a great battle of backcourts when the two teams meet.

6. F DeMarco Cousins, Kentucky Wildcats
It’s hard to guess how Cousins will operate as a third wheel (as opposed to the inside-outside duo of Wall and Patterson), but my guess is that Calipari will get him to be a rebounding, dunking machine. Patterson should command a double-team in the low post and that will leave Cousins for some bunnies. The 6-9, 260 lb Cousins should also be a load to move from the block and will be able to use his variety of low post moves when Patterson is out of the game or on the perimeter. Teams with too many cooks in the kitchen don’t tend to produce fantasy players (see the champions of the last two years for prime examples), but Kentucky should play at a fast enough pace to get plenty of shots for its variety of superstars. I could see Cousins have a bit better season than his now-cross state rival Samardo Samuels at Louisville.

7. C Keith Gallon, Oklahoma Sooners
If there is such a thing as basketball inheritance, “Tiny” Gallon should be in a good spot. He will take over the low post spot manned by Blake Griffin last year. While the 300-pound Gallon is a completely different player than the jumping jack he replaces, his place in the Sooner offense could be similarly important. Someone is going to need to provide a balance to sophomore G Willie Warren and Gallon has a diversified offensive game, especially for someone so large, that he could be an instant presence in the Big 12. Gallon has range on his jumper and improving post moves, according to Scouts, Inc. My guess is the problem will be fouls, but if Gallon can stay on the court, he’ll put up double-double numbers.

8. F Jordan Hamilton, Texas Longhorns
Whereas Bradley has the reputation of a defensive clamper, Hamilton joins Texas with a sterling offensive reputation that should get fantasy owners tongues awagging. The reason the  6-7 Hamilton is not more highly rated on this list is the return of Damion James. While Barnes will likely find a lineup that includes both Hamilton and the athletic James, they may take some shots away from each other. Because James has seniority (as well as some senioritis perhaps as he was turned away from the NBA), he should get the opportunity to carry the offense with Bradley. Hamilton, meanwhile, could be a sixth man to provide some instant offense.

9. F Dante Taylor, Pittsburgh Panthers
For the first time in a few years, the Panthers are going to be almost totally unrecognizable. The triumvirate that led to one of their most successful seasons is gone and coach Jamie Dixon will need to start anew with complementary parts from last year and new pieces like Taylor. The 6-9 power forward from Greenburgh,NY has the power and quickness to become an instant factor around the basket. According to Scouts, Inc., he – like so many big men these days – likes to venture away from the basket which goes against his strength. Isn’t that what European big men are for? Dixon has had the good fortune not to have to rely on freshmen much (although he wasn’t shy about playing DeJuan Blair as a first year player). Taylor may change that trend.

10. F Solomon Hill, Arizona Wildcats
Like Pittsburgh, Arizona in a team in transition. They did hold onto their point guard Nic Wise, but new coach Sean Miller will need to rely on freshmen in the frontcourt. Along with C Kyryl Natyazhjo and Derrick Williams (who like Hill and PG Momo Jones were purloined from USC after all of the troubles with the Trojans), Hill should form a solid frontcourt. Scouts, Inc. notes that Hill is an excellent passer and rebounder. I like big guys who can pass. Hill is only 6-6, but his variety of skills should be prized by Miller and he should get plenty of playing time.