Maryland basketball saw their freshman laden team grow quickly and excel in big moments despite their 2019 NCAA Tournament run being cut short. Here is a look at the potential starters and reserves for the 2019-20 season.
Maryland basketball went 23-11 (13-7 Big Ten) last year. Despite a devastating 69-67 loss to LSU in the Sweet Sixteen, The Terps played very well against a tough, physical LSU team. Anthony Cowan Jr. (15.6 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, 3.7 rebounds per game), Bruno Fernando (13.6 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game) and Jalen Smith (11.7 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game) were a productive trio for the Terps.
While Cowan Jr. struggled at times shooting from the field, he was always good for getting his teammates involved and driving to the basket drawing fouls. Fernando was a double-double machine who played like one of the Big Ten’s best frontcourt players. His production and intangibles that he showcased for the Terps will be missed. Smith rarely played like a freshman. He will be a key piece for Mark Turgeon as he once again is loaded in the frontcourt with talent.
Maryland basketball also received solid production last season out of Eric Ayala (8.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG) and Darryl Morsell (8.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG). Ayala proved he was a valuable asset alongside Cowan Jr. in the backcourt with his shooting ability. He also showed he can take the reins of the team at the point guard spot. I look for him to take his game to another level in year two.
I’m going to take a look at who could start, who comes off the bench and the minutes in this analysis of the roster rotation for the 2019-20 Maryland basketball team.