Basketball has been a part of Maryland University for years, but the past couple of years have been disappointing, with Maryland only making it to the Sweet Sixteen once throughout the last five years.
The Terps are hopeful this year, ranking No. 7 in the Top 25. With promising players in all positions, such as sophomore Jalen Smith, senior Anthony Cowan Jr., freshman Chol Marial, sophomore Aaron Wiggins and others, if they are are able to piece all of their talents together, they could end up being an Elite Eight team or better.
Smith has shown lots of potential to be a star in college and in the NBA. If he plays properly throughout the season, then I can see him being a top 20 pick in the NBA draft. Cowan also has a lot of potential to be an NBA player if he works hard enough. He is on the shorter side of point guards at 6’0″, but what he lacks in height he makes up in skill.
If head coach Mark Turgeon pieces these parts together correctly, Maryland could easily be a top three team. If they want to be a top three team, they will have to beat teams that are close to unbeatable.
In the first five games, they face easily beatable teams such as Holy Cross, Rhode Island, Oakland, Fairfield, George Mason and Temple. If Maryland manages to go 6-0 during these first six games, they should get themselves into the top five.
The next challenge they face is playing mediocre teams. Considering the next team they play is Notre Dame, it should be a win. Notre Dame is nothing special and are an easily beatable team.
The first close game I believe they will play is against Penn State. Penn State was a good team last year and with some returning players, I know they will put up a fight against Maryland.
Maryland has lost to teams like Oakland and Temple before, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they lost to some of the first teams they play. If they can break habits that they have had in the past few seasons, Maryland will definitely be a Sweet Sixteen team.
With all these future stars on Maryland, I’m excited to see where this season is headed.
