Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Badgers to turn NCAA Tournament momentum into Big Ten title

By Bryce Bennett

Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) handles the ball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) handles the ball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Maryland Terrapins

2015-16 record: 27-9 overall, 12-6 in Big Ten, reached NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Head coach: Mark Turgeon

Notable departures: Diamond Stone, Robert Carter Jr.,  Jake Layman, Rasheed Sulaimon

Notable returnees: Melo Trimble, Jared Nickens, Damonte Dodd, Dion Wiley, Jaylen Brantley, Michal Cekovsky, Ivan Bender

Notable newcomers: Three-star F Micah Thomas, four-star SG Kevin Huerter, four-star PG Anthony Cowan, Four-star SF Justin Jackson, non-ranked PF Joshua Tomaic, Duquesne transfer F L.G. Gill 

This might feel low, but the Terps have a lot of questions this season. First among them is how do you replace 80 percent of your starting lineup? Head coach Mark Turgeon brought in a top-15 recruiting class, and veterans like Damonte Dodd, Dion Wiley and Jared Nickens being back help too.

Must Read: In-depth Big East preview

The second question is around Melo Trimble. The talented point guard needs to improve his efficiency this season. Maryland will likely move away from lineups with two lumbering bigs on the floor to ones that are faster and work better in the open court. This could help get Trimble out in transition and back to his freshman attacking self. He seemed to struggle at times last season running an offense and managing a clogged lane.

Maryland is the true wild card team in the Big Ten this season. If the young players play well together and Trimble can improve – look out, they could be as good as anyone. My thinking is that there will be some big growing pains.

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