Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Breaking down each program’s 2018 recruiting class

By Lukas Harkins

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: General view of the Breslin Center. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: General view of the Breslin Center. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Head coach Turgeon of Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Head coach Turgeon of Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Maryland Terrapins

Class rankings: 1st in Big Ten, 7th nationally

Commitments: Jalen Smith (14), Aaron Wiggins (38), Eric Ayala (71), Serrel Smith (139)

2017-18 was a disappointing season for Maryland basketball. After reaching the NCAA Tournament in the previous three seasons, the program was unable to go dancing this past year. However, the future of the Terrapins is arguably brighter than every other team in the Big Ten. In similar fashion to Iowa, Maryland’s top four scorers were all either freshmen or sophomores this past season.

In addition, head coach Mark Turgeon is bringing in the best recruiting class in the conference. With three top-100 recruits, the Terps’ class ranks in the top-10 nationally and deservedly so. With these players coming in to join the likes of Anthony Cowan, Kevin Huerter, Bruno Fernando, and Darryl Morsell, the future in College Park is scary.

Five-star center Jalen Smith is the crowning jewel of this class, ranking in the top-20 nationally. A 6’10” big, Smith is the top recruit out of Maryland and could be a one-and-done player. In addition to being an excellent interior scorer, Smith applies himself on the defensive end, using his athleticism to run the floor and swat shots.

Aaron Wiggins, Eric Ayala, and Serrel Smith round out the recruiting class as athletic wings standing between 6’3″ and 6’6″. Considering the departures of Jared Nickens, Dion Wiley, and Justin Jackson, there should be room for at least two of these freshmen to see major roles in their first seasons on campus. Maryland’s youth might make them susceptible to upsets this next season but the talent is there for the Terps to make a run at the conference title.

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