Every student undergoes a transition between high school and college. For a student-athlete, this transition is both in the classroom and on the court. But for the freshmen on the men's basketball team, this transition has been smooth.

"Well, the biggest thing is probably everybody's just a lot bigger, stronger and faster," guard Thomas Neff (Arvada, Colo.) said. "The game's just played a lot harder, but I don't try to think of it as harder, I just try to play, just do what I've been doing my whole life and play."

"I think that our teammates and our coaches really embraced us coming in," guard Joe Rosga (St. Paul, Minn.) said. "They've had high expectations for us and they've expected us to grow up fast, so just learning how to play older than you are has made the transition a lot easier."

One thing the freshmen made clear: they are making this transition for their teammates. Denver is about the team. The Pioneers cannot have success without every player playing for the team.

"The main thing is they've learned that it's about the team," head coach Joe Scott said of the freshmen. "They care about the team, and they just want the team to do well. I think that's why they're doing well and why we're doing well."

In fact, the team element is something that Scott has stressed all season to all of the players.

"The team element, the reinforcing of it's not about the individuals, it's about the team, and every guy on the team accepting that, embracing that, believing that. Our older guys have done a good job of that. The older guys' job is to help the younger guys. The younger guys' job is to help the older guys by coming along quicker. It's really been a team element, and I think that's why we've played pretty consistently."

With the emphasis on playing as a team, the Pioneers know that not relying on a single player has given them an advantage. On any given night any one of their teammates could step up and win the game.

"That's what's good about our team," Neff said. "Every single night a different person might step up. We don't just rely on a single person. Anyone can step up any given night."

And sometimes that person is a freshman.

Seeing the other newcomers succeed powers the freshmen. The players not only understand the importance of the team, but they also know they can make the difference for the team.

"It's definitely a great confidence booster just to know that even if you don't have your greatest night, maybe one of your freshmen teammates will have a great night," guard Jake Holtzmann (Parker, Colo.) said. "Depth really helps you be able to win, even when certain guys aren't playing well. So it's definitely really good to have good nights for different people."

"It's good to see that everybody's getting to play," forward C.J. Bobbitt (Harker Heights, Texas) said. "Seeing freshmen faces out on the court makes me feel more confident about myself."

Over winter break, the Denver basketball team prepared for Summit League play. They also spent time bonding with each other. According to Bobbitt, the freshmen spent "25 hours a day" together, hanging out in the dorms, watching Netflix and eating.

"It's definitely been really fun, just living with the guys and practicing with them every day and being able to form bonds with them and work hard on and off the court with them," Holtzmann said.

This close-knit group of freshmen has been tested as Summit League play has begun.

Going into the league games, the players expected more physicality, but they hoped the transition would be smooth, just as it was at the beginning of the season.

"I feel like league play is going to be different. A lot more physical," Rosga said. "So that will maybe be a little bit of an adjustment, but that shouldn't be too bad."

Beyond the transition, the Pioneers have their eyes on consistency. More than one freshman mentioned that the next step is consistency. Being able to contribute in a game is one thing, being able to contribute in every game is everything.

"Just keep it simple and keep it consistent," Bobbitt preached.

"We just want to be consistent with it so you can help your team that way every game and just find different ways that you can do something every single game, not just one game," Neff said.

"Every game is going to be different. It's definitely a confidence boost when you obviously play well, but just staying composed and consistent is the biggest thing," Rosga said.

Thus far, the freshmen have been some of the most consistent players for Denver.

Rosga has started all 17 games and played the most minutes of any Pioneer. The St. Paul, Minn., native is second on the team averaging 12.2 points per game and has tallied at least 16 points in the past three games, all in the Summit League. Rosga has been DU's leading scorer in five of the last six games, including dropping a career-high 23 points against Eastern Washington.

Neff has also started all 17 games, contributing 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Neff started his career strong with seven points and four assists against Milwaukee. Since, Neff has increased his career highs to 14 points (at Northern Colorado), six assists (at UC Riverside) and five rebounds (vs. Wyoming).

Bobbitt has returned to the Denver starting lineup after battling an illness that caused him to miss seven games. Bobbitt leads the Pioneers in rebounding, averaging 4.1 per game, and averages 6.2 points per game. The only forward among the active freshmen has led the team in rebounds in five of the 10 games he has played this season.

Holtzmann has made a difference off the bench, averaging nearly 10 minutes per game and pitching in 2.2 points and 1.0 rebound per game. In the Pioneers' most recent outing, Holtzmann led the team with five rebounds.

According to head coach Joe Scott, these players make their teammates better. They bring effort and enthusiasm to the team, just as important as their play on the court.

"They've been instrumental in the building of the team and the development of the team," Scott said. "That's obviously a good group basketball-wise, but I think more importantly it's a good group person wise. They care. They each bring a little something different to the table, but most importantly they do the things we want them to do."

Ultimately it is not the players, it is the team. As is clear from the coach down to the freshmen, the team element will make the difference in league play.