Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 2020-21 power rankings heading into league play

By Ryan Kay

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Maryland Terrapins Darryl Morsell Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Maryland Terrapins Darryl Morsell Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

. Terrapins . 12. team. 439. . 4-2

Wins

*Old Dominion
*Navy
*Mount St. Mary’s
*Saint Peter’s

Losses

*@Clemson
*No. 19 Rutgers

KenPom ranking: 50

Reasons for Hope: Even though they have not defeated a superior team this year, they have defeated every team that they should have beat and avoided any upsets. Overall their defense has been solid and has improved from last season and they played a great 2nd half on the road against Clemson.

Reasons to be Pessimistic: Like Nebraska and Northwestern, not a single victory of theirs in non-conference has been against a top-tier opponent with their best win being against Navy. They have only played one game off of their home court and when they did go on the road they only scored 15 points in the 1st half against Clemson. They were unable to beat Rutger on their home court in a game in which they should have won because they were winning at halftime.

Brief Overview of the Season

Maryland and head coach Mark Turgeon brought back five of their top nine scorers from last season in guard Eric Ayala, forward Donta Scott, guard Hakim Hart, forward Darryl Morsell, and guard Aaron Wiggins. That experience from those players has allowed them to beat teams they should beat and be somewhat competitive in games in which they have lost.

Turgeon’s team is not playing as well as they did last season. This Maryland team may not have a high ceiling with very high expectations but they still can compete in the Big Ten if they continue to develop. The Terrapins and their fan base would love for this year’s team to make the NCAA tournament this season.

Maryland will continue to battle night in and night out and even though they may not win close games as they did last season, they are determined not to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten this season. The Terrapins will look to have Scott and Ayala lead this young but talented group this season but it is easy to see that Maryland misses having Anthony Cowan Jr. and Jalen Smith. The Terrapins next play La Salle on Tuesday.

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