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Andy Katz includes 2 B1G hoops prospects on top 10 impact freshman list

Cole Thompson

By Cole Thompson

Published:

Andy Katz is at it again with his projections for the B1G.

The longtime basketball analyst recently released his top impact freshmen for the upcoming 2022-23 season. The list featured 11 total players, including Indiana’s Jalen Hood-Schifino and Illinois’ Skyy Clark.

Hood-Schifino has been a star in the making since arriving in Bloomington this summer. During his senior year at Montverde Academy in Florida, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged over 14 points per game. Katz said that Hood-Schifino would likely factor in a role player in Year 1 to adjust to college speed.

“The loaded Hoosiers needed a true playmaker and Hood-Schifino will step into the role next to Xavier Johnson,” Katz wrote. “He doesn’t have to be the go-to guy so the pressure is all about being a distributor.”

Clark, Hood-Schifino’s former teammate at Montverde, might have an extended role in the Illinis’ offense as the replacement for Trent Frazier. Last season, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Nashville averaged 26.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

“The Illini had a glaring hole at point guard with the departures of Trent Frazier and Andre Curbelo,” Katz wrote. “Here comes Clark to deliver for a team that could challenge for the Big Ten title.”

The Hoosiers are the B1G preseason favorite to win the conference in Year 2 of the Mike Woodson era. Illinois is projected to finish 2nd in the conference and received 6 1st place votes earlier this month. Hood-Schifino was also named the B1G’s preseason freshman of the year.

Cole Thompson

Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Tradition who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.