Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Predicting teams at the top for 2019-20 season

By Brandon Simberg

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: The Maryland Terrapins huddle together as they take on the LSU Tigers during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: The Maryland Terrapins huddle together as they take on the LSU Tigers during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Maryland

Key players lost: Bruno Fernando

Key players returning: Anthony Cowan Jr., Jalen Smith, Eric Ayala, Aaron Wiggins, Darryl Morsell, Ricky Lindo Jr.

Key newcomers: Makhi Mitchell, Donta Scott

Michigan State is getting buzz as a Final Four team, but Maryland should be in that conversation too. Despite losing Bruno Fernando Maryland returns every other key rotation player, starring senior guard Anthony Cowan Jr. Cowan led the Terps in scoring with 15.6 points per game

This isn’t Turgeon’s highest ranked team in program history, but it is probably his deepest. Cowan returns with sophomore guard Eric Ayala. Serrel Smith Jr. is another returning sophomore that will see time in the backcourt. On the wings, junior Darry Morsell and sophomore Aaron Wiggins are back. Morsell is the ultimate glue guy while Wiggins possesses an elite ability to shoot the basketball. Freshman Donta Scott is also making some noise at team workouts and should see time at the three and four. In the frontcourt, Jalen Smith returns along with Ricky Lindo Jr. Freshman Makhi Mitchell will also play a key role as frontcourt seems to be the weakest spot in terms of depth. I expect nine guys to play consistent minutes for the Terps.

The key to the Terps success will be dependent on how much a leap the sophomores make. Ayala shot the ball well (40% from three) but he will need to boost his scoring up from 8.6 points per game while cutting down on his turnovers. Wiggins was lights out from the three-point line but needs to get better at attacking and finishing around the rim. Smith is the player with the most upside. At times it felt like he was playing out of position at the four last season next to Fernando. By adding 32 pounds of muscle this season and likely sliding back to his natural position at center, “Stix” will be a lot better.

Figuring out the starting and closing line-ups is probably Turgeon’s toughest task. Cowan-Ayala-Morsell-Wiggins-Smith is their best five, but that is an undersized lineup. Scott could slide in at the four but then the lineup will lack shooting if it takes out Wiggins or defense if it takes out Morsell. They could also play big with Makhi Mitchell slotted in, but again it likely leaves out Morsell or Wiggins.

The Terps will also have to cut down on their turnovers but the core of this roster is elite. A deep tournament run is expected or else the Maryland faithful (or more frequently, unfaithful) will not be pleased.

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