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Maryland Basketball: Bruno Fernando’s return isn’t enough for the Terrapins in 2018-19

By Holden Walter-Warner

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Bruno Fernando #23 of the Maryland Terrapins drives baseline defended by Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Bruno Fernando #23 of the Maryland Terrapins drives baseline defended by Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Bruno Fernando decided to pull out of the 2018 NBA Draft, but the Maryland Terrapins will likely struggle next season regardless.

Ultimately, Bruno Fernando recognized that the odds of him being selected in the 2018 NBA Draft in June were slim to none. That led him to making the most important decision of his summer.

Fernando will be spending his sophomore season in College Park.

The big man announced his decision with a press release, just days before the deadline to withdraw from the draft (h/t ESPN). His decision gives coach Mark Turgeon arguably his best returning player from last season.

Fernando averaged 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a freshman. Those numbers made him a surefire lock with the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, which included the likes of Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ohio State’s Kaleb Wesson.

Fernando’s return could be the harbinger of more good news to come. After all, the Maryland Terrapins are still awaiting word on sophomore

Kevin Huerter’s

draft decision; as of Tuesday night, Huerter was still in the NBA Draft pool.

Still, this is an offseason of more loss for Maryland. After testing the waters last year, Justin Jackson is planning on remaining in the NBA Draft this year. Additionally, Dion Wiley will transfer – as a graduate transfer, he will be eligible immediately for another team.

Last year’s team struggled to a losing record in Big Ten play. They couldn’t make a late push to save their fate and advance back to the NCAA Tournament. That team will be losing two of their four top scorers, so long as Huerter doesn’t return.

There are signs of hope for next season, starting with Fernando. The team will also bring back Anthony Cowan, who admirably filled the shoes of the great Melo Trimble and led the team in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game.

Maryland also brings in the Big Ten’s best recruiting class.

Next: Looming NBA Draft deadline

Still, it feels as if Maryland will fall short of expectations next season without Huerter, even with Bruno Fernando back in the fold.

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