The trio of Lauri Markkanen, Kobi Simmons, and Rawle Alkins lead the 18th-ranked Wildcats in both points and minutes per game, as they’ve jumped out to a 10-2 record.
But leaning on the production of younger players is nothing out of the ordinary in today’s college basketball landscape.
With the one-and-done culture — the tendency for student-athletes to go pro after one season — that is prevalent in the sport, incoming freshman are getting more opportunities to play in their first season than ever before because, well, the freshman from the previous year don’t stick around in school.