Big Ten Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

Mayland – Eric Ayala and Donta Scott

Decrease in production: Eric Ayala

Eric Ayala had his best season in Maryland as a junior. HIs 15.1 points per game were almost seven points higher than his previous two years, as well as averaging over four assists per game when he failed to average over three the previous two years. The 6’5 guard’s most productive season corresponded with becoming the point guard instead of playing alongside Anthony Cowan in the backcourt, as he did the previous two years.

This season, Ayala will move back to being the off-guard as Fatts Russell transfers from Rhode Island to be the starting point guard in Mark Turgeon’s half-court offense. In addition, Ayala will not need to play 33 minutes a game because Ian Martinez has transferred from Utah to provide backcourt depth, as opposed to Reese Mona or Aquan Smart backing up at point guard for a combined 113 minutes all last season.

Increase in production: Donta Scott

As Ayala’s production decreases with the arrival of a transfer, Donta Scott will see an increase in his production as a transfer forces – or more likely allows – Scott to change positions. At 6’7, 225 pounds Scott logged the majority of the minutes at center. The Terrapins’ other big-men – that consisted of – 6’9 Galen Smith, 6’10 Arnaud Revez, and 7’2 Choi Marial combined to average fewer than 25 minutes per game, the 2021-22 season will be a different scenario.

The arrival of 6’11 Qudus Wahab from Georgetown will take a lot of defensive responsibility off the shoulders of Scott and his energies will not be so divided while having more of an opportunity to improve upon his 11 points and six rebounds per game.