Over the next few weeks, I’ll be analyzing the five most underrated freshmen (redshirt freshmen are eligible) in the SEC heading into the 2018-19 season.
The players need to ranked lower than 75th in the 247Sports composite rankings to qualify. By including a player on the list, the thought process is that he will outperform his recruiting ranking and/or the national expectations that have seemingly been placed upon him.
In each profile, we’ll look at the player’s skillset, examine how he fits on his team in relation to the rest of the roster, and the reasoning for his inclusion on the list.
Ole Miss forward Blake Hinson is the final underrated freshman that I will be analyzing as we prepare for the start of the season.
He is a recent addition to the class of 2018 after reclassifying from 2019 in the spring. The 6-7 freshman was ranked 145th in the 247 composite rankings, but he could easily outperform that assessment in his first collegiate season.
Hinson is an extremely versatile offensive player who can score both inside and out. The talented combo forward will probably see most of his minutes at power forward where he will be a matchup nightmare for opponents. Hinson can shoot from the perimeter, but can also take his man off the dribble and finish at the rim.
These characteristics are coveted in modern four men, and it could ensure that Hinson plays a pivotal role as a freshman. Kermit Davis has had a significant amount of recent success with this archetype, and this is clearly a type of player that he loves to use and actively targets in recruiting.
At Middle Tennessee, there was a never-ending supply of dynamic combo forwards who had immensely successful careers. Last season, Nick King filled that role and revived his career by averaging 21.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The year before that, JaCorey Williams and Reggie Upshaw both made a major impact with their inside-outside games.
While I would not expect Hinson to replicate their production this season, it is a sign that Davis knows how to utilize Hinson and maximize his potential. All three of the previously mentioned power forwards made NBA Summer League teams which proves that they were more than just mid-major standouts, they were legitimate pro prospects.
In terms of Hinson’s immediate impact, the most important factor in determining a surprise player is opportunity. Plenty of talented players have been buried on the bench and could not show their abilities until they were given more playing time.
Hinson should not have to worry about his opportunity because Ole Miss is starting a rebuild and will be looking for young building blocks.
With a strong season, Hinson has a chance to be a fixture in Ole Miss’ resurgence. Davis will need young players to build around since the top three returning scorers are all upperclassmen. Terence Davis and Bruce Stevens are seniors, and Breein Tyree is a junior which means players like Hinson will be heavily relied upon in the future.
His main competition for frontcourt minutes will be the aforementioned Stevens, 7-0 center Dominik Olejniczak, and JUCO transfer Zach Naylor.
There are certainly enough minutes to go around for this group, and Hinson’s skill level could give him an edge.
In conclusion, Hinson is underrated because of his extensive offensive repertoire, Davis’ track record with this type of player, and the amount of playing time that is available.
Hinson should be an integral piece in this rebuild and become an established SEC caliber player in the near future.
Averaging around 20-25 minutes and 7-8 points per game seems likely for the 6-7 freshman.