Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2023-24 season

3. Maryland Terrapins

2022-23 season record: 22-13 (11-9)

The Terrapins are a team that has a number of roster departures, most of them coming from the bench. But two starters that are gone are Donald Carey and Hakim Hart, who transferred to Villanova this offseason. Ian Martinez and Patrick Emilien were two of the main rotation players off the bench so there’s going to be a need to replace them.

Maryland landed a trio of transfers so far. One is Mady Traore, a 6’11 big man from New Mexico State that played just seven games last season. Chance Stephens averaged 6.0 ppg as a freshman at LMU, making 37% of his three-point shops. And Jordan Geronimo is a familiar face, a 6’6 forward from Indiana with three years of experience off the bench.

What makes the Terrapins a contender in the Big Ten is the trio of returning players, all of whom averaged double figures. That includes all-conference guard Jahmir Young, who led the team with 15.8 ppg and 3.1 apg. Forwards Julian Reese and Donta Scott give them one of the best frontcourts in the conference.

If any of the incoming freshmen wings and guards of the recruiting class has a big first-year impact, Maryland will be a top-25 team for next season. That or the ability to land one more transfer from the portal.