Maryland Terrapins
Big Ten (22-10, 13-7)
This is a young Maryland team, but they have not looked like it. There were some bad losses against teams like Illinois and Penn State, but for the most part this was a steady Terrapins team that consistently beat the mid-level and lower level Big Ten teams.
Big Wins: 1/14 Wisconsin (64-60), 2/12 Purdue (70-56), 2/19 at Iowa (66-65)
Bad Losses: 12/22 Seton Hall (74-78), 1/26 vs Illinois (67-78), 2/27 at Penn State (61-78)
Coach: Mark Turgeon
Why They Can Surprise:
The frontcourt duo of Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith has often carried this team. Fernando is a monster on both ends of the floor. The 6-10 sophomore averages 13.7 points per game and adds 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. Fernando is a game changer and the Terrapins are a very dangerous team when he is at his best. He gets some help from Smith too. Smith averages 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Smith’s emergence on both ends of the floor has turned Maryland into one of the best rebounding teams in the country and not too bad when it comes to blocking shots either.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Anthony Cowan is the team’s top scorer at 16.0 points per game, but the backcourt has struggled at times this year. Cowan himself has been inconsistent and can have some poor outings. He had a tough stretch of games in late January and early February and Maryland needs Cowan to have a solid game in the NCAA Tournament. Eric Ayala, Aaron Wiggins and Darryl Morsell have not been consistent scoring threats, but they are capable of having big games on occasion. If one or two of them has a nice tournament, Maryland can reach the second weekend without too much trouble. If not, the Terrapins may have an early exit.
Probable Starters:
Anthony Cowan, Junior, Guard, 16.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg
Eric Ayala, Freshman, Guard, 8.5 ppg, 2.2 apg
Darryl Morsell, Sophomore, Guard, 8.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Jalen Smith, Freshman, Forward, 11.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Bruno Fernando, Sophomore, Forward, 13.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Key Role Players:
Aaron Wiggins, Freshman, Guard, 8.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Serrel Smith, Freshman, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Ricky Lindo, Freshman, Forward, 1.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.7 (205th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.9 (32, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.7 (101, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.6 (17, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.3 (221, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.5 (121, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.5 (44, 2)
Rebound Margin: 8.8 (6, 2)
Assists Per Game: 13.2 (190, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.3 (202, 13)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Xavier |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over South Dakota State |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Hawaii |
| 2016 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Kansas |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Valparaiso |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to West Virginia |
| 2013 | NIT | First Round win over Niagara |
| 2013 | NIT | Second Round win over Denver |
| 2013 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Alabama |
| 2013 | NIT | Semifinal loss to Iowa |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Houston |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Michigan State |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over California |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Memphis |
| 2008 | NIT | First Round win over Minnesota |
| 2008 | NIT | Second Round loss to Syracuse |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Davidson |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Butler |
| 2006 | NIT | First Round loss to Manhattan |
*all team stats through 3/10
