Maryland Last season: 24-9, lost to Xavier in first round of NCAA Tournament. Nickname: Terrapins. Coach: Mark Turgeon. Conference: Big Ten. Who’s gone: G Melo Trimble, C Damonte Dodd, F L.G. Gill. Who’s back: F Justin Jackson. The sophomore was
Maryland
Last season: 24-9, lost to Xavier in first round of NCAA Tournament.
Nickname: Terrapins.
Coach: Mark Turgeon.
Conference: Big Ten.
Who’s gone: G Melo Trimble, C Damonte Dodd, F L.G. Gill.
Who’s back: F Justin Jackson. The sophomore was second in scoring behind Trimble with 10.5 points a game and averaged a team-high 6.0 rebounds. Also led team with .438 shooting percentage from 3-point range; G Kevin Huerter. The sophomore started all 33 games, averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds a game. Led Terrapins with 19 points against Xavier in NCAA Tournament; C Michal Cekovsky. The 7-foot-1 Slovakian appeared in 17 games as a junior, earning starts in four before fractured ankle in mid-February sidelined him for remainder of season; G Anthony Cowan. Sophomore was third on team in scoring at 10.3 points a game, led Maryland in assists and was third in minutes played. Started all 33 games as a freshman; F Ivan Bender. The 6-9 junior played in 32 games, including five starts. Shot 66 percent from floor.
Who’s new: F Bruno Fernando. The 6-10, four-star recruit played for Angola at the 2014 U-17 FIBA World Championships and averaged 9.1 points and 10.6 rebounds; F Sean Obi. Played as freshman at Rice, and sophomore and junior at Duke. Appeared in 10 games for Blue Devils in 2015-16 before an injury ended his season; G Darryl Morsell. First Baltimore high school player to sign with Maryland since Turgeon took over in 2011 is a stopper on defensive end of court.
The Skinny: The Terrapins look to continue their recent run of success without Trimble, who left for the NBA draft after his junior season. If Huerter, Cowan and Jackson can score and provide leadership, this young team can develop quickly, be a contender in the Big Ten and extend its run of NCAA Tournament appearances to four.
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