Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Michigan makes big statement to start the season

By Austin Walther

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reaches for the ball to keep it in bounds during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Mackey Arena on February 25, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reaches for the ball to keep it in bounds during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Mackey Arena on February 25, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Bruno Fernando #23 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts after he is called for a foul late in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Bruno Fernando #23 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts after he is called for a foul late in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

10. Maryland Terrapins (5-0)

Maryland has won five games already this season. That’s quite a bit. But in typical Terrapin fashion, it hasn’t really been much. Hofstra could be considered their best opponent so far. But that’s just guessing off what I’ve heard on Twitter. I couldn’t honestly tell you. These guys are looking good, but the reason for the 10th ranking is because of their SOS so far.

Anthony Cowan isn’t quite shooting the cover off the ball like I though he was, but he’s still averaging over 15 points per game and 4.4 assists. Bruno Fernando is leading the team with almost 16 per game, has a nice 8 boards and 2.2 blocks. A lot of shots are falling for the big sophomore. Jalen Smith is kind of doing what we expected him to do as an under the radar five-star.

The other freshman Aaron Wiggins has turned into the shooter that the Terrapins were looking for. He has 12 made three-pointers with 4.4 boards per game. Eric Ayala is the third freshman who has started four games and is averaging a solid 6.4 points per game.

Mark Turgeon has used a couple different starting lineups so far. That’s kind of interesting, but with the opponents they have played, it’s a good thing to make adjustments now and not later in the season. The quality opponents are coming. Marshall is a good mid-major, they have Virginia, Loyola-Chicago and Seton Hall. So Maryland does have a chance at proving themselves before Big Ten play heats up.

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