Maryland Terrapins – #5 ACC college basketball power rankings

Maryland

Coach: Mark Turgeon (One season at Maryland 17-15) Overall 266-174, 14 years

2011-12: Record 17-15 overall, 6-10 in ACC ( 8th)

Starters Returning (2) Nick Faust, Pe’Shon Howard

Preseason Tournament: Barclays Center Classic

Top Non-Conference Games: at Northwestern

Transfer In: Logan Aronhalt (Albany – eligible immediately); Evan Smotrycz (Michigan), Dez Wells (Xavier- eligible immediately)

Transfer out: Mychal Parker (Georgetown College), Ashton Pankey (Manhattan)

Early Departure: Terrell Stoglin

Like last year head coach Mark Turgeon is dealing with a roster not full of 13 scholarship players. The Terrapins lose their top 2 scorers and they also lose two players who transferred out of the program. They only return 4 players from last year’s roster. The good news the Terps bring in a top 20 recruiting class. Turgeon was left with a bare roster but he is rebuilding the program the right way. Maryland will be a player in the ACC soon again.

Leading the way for the Terps in the backcourt is Nick Faust (8.9 ppg). He is the Terps returning leading scorer. He will likely play the 3 spot and is an effective rebounder for his size. Running the point will be Pe’ Shon Howard (6.5 ppg). The key for Howard is to stay healthy. Last season he broke his foot and tore his ACL. Howard will have to cut down on his turnovers. Likely starting at shooting guard is Albany transfer Logan Aronhalt. He will be Maryland’s best three point shooter. Freshman Seth Allen will provide depth at the guard spots and freshman Jake Layman at the 3 spot. This unit could receive a big boost if the NCAA rules Xavier transfer Dez Wells eligible for the season. Update Wells is eligible for this season.  He gives them a super athletic wing player that loves to attack the rim.

Ukraine native, center Alex Len (6 ppg) showed a ton of promise in his freshman year but he also struggled at times. Joining Len in the frontcourt is James Padgett (8.8 ppg). Padgett is the vocal leader for this team; he was third in the ACC in offensive rebounding last season. These two players will get pushed by two freshman who will try to work their win the starting lineup Shaquille Cleare and Charles Mitchell. Cleare is the Terps biggest recruit in years don’t be shocked if he starts from day one. Also providing depth is John Auslander (1.1 ppg).

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