NCAA Basketball: Analyzing transfer Marcus Santos-Silva final 6 teams

Maryland Terrapins

There might not be a team in the country in more need of a starting frontcourt option than Maryland, who lost a ton of production this offseason. Star forward Jalen Smith is off to the NBA, Ricky Lindo and Joshua Tomaic have transferred out, and twin bigs Makhi and Makhel Mitchell were already gone in the middle of the year. That leaves just Choi Marial and Donta Scott, who combined for just 27 mpg total in 2019-20.

The Terrapins could benefit from the transfer rules, with Boston College forward Jairus Hamilton set to sit out next year. But he could be needed to provide minutes at the power forward spot if no additions are made to the roster.

Santos-Silva is arguably the best grad transfer big man in the portal and is a must-get for Maryland. He’d be given around 30 mpg at the center position with little competition for playing time. He’d also be surrounded by a quality trio of guards in Daryl Morsell, Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins, which is better than what he had at VCU.

The one question will be whether or not it’s too big of a leap. His hard-nosed style would fit the Big Ten well but can he defend the likes of Luka Garza of Iowa or Nate Reuvers of Wisconsin at just 6’7? Maryland will have to just find that out because they truly don’t have other options for 2020-21.