It's quite a bit of pressure for someone a year removed from high school, to be the face of a team and only played 28 games for them.

But it's true…so far this year whenever the Ohio State University is talked about, one name always comes up: Greg Oden.

The star freshman can't help but stand out, being seven feet tall and 280 pounds.  But he definitely isn't alone in making a big impact in his first year.

The stellar freshman class of OSU has stood out this year, anchored by Oden. 

Joining him on the floor is Mike Conley Jr., one of two players to start all 35 games for the Buckeyes, and Daequan Cook, who averages double-figures in points with Oden and Conley.

Obviously the freshman have helped the Buckeyes in the win column, but that stats don't lie either.

According to the Ohio State University website, last season, OSU averaged 34 rebounds per game. 

This year isn't that much different, at 35.9, but what stands out is the rebounding margin, going up from -0.7 to +3.4. 

The seven-footer has also risen the Buckeyes blocks per game, from 2.8 last year to 5.8 per game this season.

"He is one of the most grounded kids I've ever seen," OSU coach Thad Matta said, according to the OSU website.  "Therefore he comes in and has a tremendous work effort. It's not about Greg Oden for him; it's about the Ohio State team."

The freshman guard tandem of Conley Jr. and Cook have made a huge impact as well. Both average just over ten points per game, Conley is shooting 52-percent from the floor, while Cook is shooting 42-percent from 3-point land.

"We need Daequan to play well for us and he has shown on all levels that he can play. He has a mentality I like and that's a scorer's mentality," Matta said.

In their most recent game against Xavier, someone had to step up with Oden fouling out before the overtime period. 

That someone was Conley, who dominated the game when it mattered most, scoring 11 points in the overtime period.

"I told Mike [Conley Jr.] it was time for him to make plays [in overtime] and thankfully he stepped up and made some big plays for us," said Matta.

Thursday enters the battle of the freshman, as Tennessee brings in three players on the SEC All-Freshman team.

But only one freshman class will be able to make its first trip to the Elite Eight.