Big Ten Basketball: Best / Worst case scenarios for each team in 2018-19

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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) /

Maryland

Best Case

Bruno Fernando made a good decision coming back to school and improves on his already solid game. He becomes a force and the Big Ten has trouble stopping him. Anthony Cowan continues to be a scorer and a headache to opposing teams. Big time recruit Jalen Smith lives up to the hype and the three of them make one of the best trios in the conference. They improve on their defense, which was horrible last year, and finish fourth in the Big Ten. They make the semi-finals before losing to Michigan State, but its enough to get back to the NCAA tournament. They get a very good draw and become a surprise Sweet 16 team. Even with the success, Fernando, Cowan, and Smith all return for the 2019-20 season and Maryland is the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten.

Worst Case

The defense continues to play like James Harden and gives up close to 80 points a game. Fernando gets frustrated early and plays like he wishes he went pro. Cowan regresses and only averages about 10 ppg. Smith struggles to step up to Division 1 play and does not even start for Maryland. They finish tenth in the Big Ten and miss the NCAA tournament once again and the NIT does not even invite them either. Mark Turgeon gets fired and the Terrapins have trouble finding a head coach. Maryland which looked like they could make noise in the conference is now left trying to rebuild again.

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