As the NCAA Tournament comes to a close, GMS likes to review some of the power conference or power program teams that made it to the Big Dance and ask whether or not they’ve got a shot to return to the show next season. We continue on with teams eliminated in the second round.
Recruit and Reload: Maryland Terrapins
Key Losses: Diamond Stone, Jake Layman, Robert Carter, Rasheed Sulaimon
Key Returners: Melo Trimble (expected), Damonte Dodd
Key Newcomers: Anthony Cowan, Kevin Huerter, Micah Thomas
Breakdown: Last year was supposed to be Mark Turgeon’s breakthrough in College Park, but he could never quite seem to nail down how to coach an extremely talented but oddly fitting group. Now, he is definitely losing four out of his five starters and faces, perhaps, the most crucial year yet.
Convincing Trimble to return has to be priority #1, there’s no doubt about it. Without him, UMD looks like your average NIT team. With him back, and a trio of talented but green freshmen joining the fold, then the Terps just might have a shot to return to the Big Dance.
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