Maryland Terrapins
Big Ten (24-7, 14-6)
The Big Ten was absolutely brutal this season. Few teams had much success on the road, but it was Maryland who emerged as the top team in the conference, finishing with a 15-5 mark in Big Ten play. Coach Mark Turgeon has taken the Terrapins to the NCAA Tournament four times in his five seasons leading the program, but they have only reached the Sweet Sixteen once in that stretch. This is the year they should be able to at least match that Sweet Sixteen trip of 2016.
Big Wins: 1/7 Ohio State (67-55), 2/7 at Illinois (75-66), 2/15 at Michigan State (67-60)
Bad Losses: 12/10 at Penn State (69-76), 1/10 at Iowa (49-67), 3/3 at Rutgers (67-78)
Coach: Mark Turgeon
Why They Can Surprise:
With Anthony Cowan Jr. and Jalen Smith, Maryland has a superb inside-outside duo. Cowan averages 16.3 points per game and dishes out 4.7 assists. He is a proven leader on the floor and will take over a game quite often. Smith, a 6-10 sophomore, is the big man in the paint, although he is pretty consistent facing the basket and knocking down jump shots too. On the year, Smith averages 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks and it is a bit of a surprise when he does not record a double-double. With their very impressive defense, Cowan and Smith will often provide enough offense to lead Maryland to victory.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Terrapins have a decent scoring offense, but generating points against a tough defense can be an issue. This is not a team that will force too many turnovers and get easy buckets as a result and their field-goal percentage across the board leaves much to be desired. Maryland has a team that will grind out wins, but they could allow inferior teams to remain close and then have to make those big shots at the end of the game. The other potential issue is Maryland’s depth. Coach Mark Turgeon will basically run a six-man rotation. If foul trouble becomes an issue, Maryland will have to get some quality minutes from a player or two who has not often been put in that situation.
Probable Starters:
Anthony Cowan, Senior, Guard, 16.3 ppg, 4.7 apg
Darryl Morsell, Junior, Guard, 8.5 ppg, 2.1 apg, 4.7 rpg
Eric Ayala, Sophomore, Guard, 8.5 ppg, 2.5 apg
Donta Scott, Freshman, Forward, 5.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Jalen Smith, Sophomore, Forward, 15.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.4 bpg
Key Role Players:
Aaron Wiggins, Sophomore, Guard, 10.4 ppg, 1.4 apg, 4.9 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.8 (149th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.5 (43, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.9 (272, 11)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.9 (33, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.7 (133, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.1 (287, 12)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.7 (59, 5)
Rebound Margin: 4.1 (62, 7)
Assists Per Game: 13.2 (171, 11)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.4 (35, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Belmont |
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to LSU |
| 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 3/8
