Big Ten Basketball: Breaking down the 2017-18 star on each team in the conference

Maryland Terrapins – Anthony Cowan, Sophomore

Without Melo Trimble holding the reigns for Maryland, the Terrapins will turn things over to sophomore Anthony Cowan. Cowan averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game last season as an extremely well-rounded freshman. This season, though, Cowan will take over as the go-to player for Mark Turgeon in place of Trimble.

Cowan was a top-100 and four-star recruit out of high school and this will be his first time being “the man” for the Terps. It seems that Maryland will take a step back this season, but Cowan should still be able to lead the team to the NCAA Tournament. Fellow returning sophomores Justin Jackson and Kevin Huerter will also make for a dangerous trio in the Big Ten.

Moving forward for Cowan, the hope is that he can become a stronger 3-point shooter as a sophomore. Last season, he shot just 32.1% from deep on 2.5 attempts per game. Adding a more efficient 3-pointer will make him a more dangerous scorer and, in turn, a more deadly playmaker in the half-court.

Maryland will rely on their sophomores this season, but they should be up for the challenge. The Terps have made the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons and that streak will likely continue this year.