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The Terps Look Legit:
University of Maryland Basketball
By: Michael A. Chase Jr.
12/6/2019
The University of Maryland Basketball program is off to its best start in school history. The Terrapins sit at 9-0 and atop the Big Ten in the early stages of the NCAA season with Conference play beginning for them this Saturday against Illinois. Maryland has shown to be a strong offensive team that is improving steadily defensively by the game. This Terps team has the star power, requisite depth, and experienced coaching to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Maryland must continue to prove there are for real as they move through the tough Big Ten Conference. Even with Maryland losing arguably its best player in Center Bruno Fernando to the draft, they have chance to be better than last year and make a deep tournament run. This is because of the talented roster that has a majority of last year’s team returning with some fresh new recruits.
In terms of how the team operates statically Maryland currently averages 80 points per game which is 30th in the country. Meaning they have a very solid offensive attack which will help them in the Big Ten. Maryland is led in scoring by Anthony Cowan Jr. at 16.2 points per game. With Jalen Smith ranking second on the team at 13.6 points and leading the team in rebounds at 9.8. They 5 five different players averaging 9 or more points and 7 different players shooting at least 44% which shows as a team they are shooting the ball efficiently. Maryland allows 61.1 points per game which also places them 30th in the country. This number however will improve as the team develops throughout the year. The Terrapins still have work to do to become the team they can truly be, but they are off to a fine start.
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The Terps is currently ranked 3rd in the NCAA Top 25 and a lot of players have contributed to this winning formula. Starting with the quality of the guard play they get each night. Their guard quartet of Senior Anthony Cowan, Junior Darryl Morsell, and Sophomores Aaron Wiggins and Eric Ayala is impressive. These four players complement each other well with Ayala providing a steady floor general that allows Cowan to be the scoring machine he is capable of being. Wiggins provides length on the wing defensively with a smooth stroke from three. Then Morsell is the most versatile of the four able to be a reliable secondary scorer, along with being the best defender of the bunch. Add in high upside youngsters like Sophomore Serrel Smith Jr. and Freshman Hakim Hart and Maryland is fully loaded at the guard position. In Cowan specifically Maryland has one of the top guards in the country, with plenty of help beside him in the backcourt.
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Maryland’s front line has presents quality players as well. The leading man is Sophomore Jalen Smith who at 6’10” gives Maryland a quality go-to big in the middle. Smith can operate effectively out of the post as a scorer and passer. While being able to step out and hit the occasional three pointer. He has displayed improvement defensively as shown by his 5 blocks recently against Notre Dame. Smith has grown from his freshman season and has become more of a leader and it is showing in his play and his demeanor. Maryland also plays 3 Freshman forwards that have had their moments this season. Donta Scott, Makhi Mitchell and Makhel Mitchell give Maryland new young front-line players that as they mature throughout the year will grow into more important roles. Scott bringing his high motor and surprising scoring production has been a nice find. While the Mitchell brothers continue to learn the ropes of NCAA basketball, but showcase their talents in spurts. Let’s not forget about Sophomore Ricky Lindo Jr. who has upside and quality minutes to provide as well. Maryland has a group of very young frontcourt players that have shown the skills to provide production across the board. Players that have high upside defensively, along with the offensive talent to lessen the scoring load on the backcourt.
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Coach Mark Turgeon with his experience will be a key constant as the season progresses. Plus, the fact Maryland only lost one key player this past year means the familiarity and chemistry of the group will be easier to rekindle. Maryland has the players and coaching to make a Final Four run. The Terps must now continue to win and strengthen their resume with huge Conference wins. If they do this, they will live up to expectations many pundits and others have for this talented group.