Not only did they get a top
freshman, they have two highimpact transfers in Rasheed
Sulaimon from Duke and Robert
Carter from Georgia Tech.While
Sulaimon’s offensive impact has
declined over his three-year career
as a Blue Devil, he will bring
defensive intensity and versatility to
the Terrapin backcourt, which will
take loads of pressure off Trimble.
Carter will definitely contribute
as a rebounder as his 28.3 percent
defensive rebounding rate ranked
seventh in the nation in 2014 and
will provide frontcourt depth
behind Stone and Layman.
Maryland can afford to lean on
their depth, with four players not
projected to be in the starting lineup
that have started games during
their careers as Terrapins: bruising
Damonte Dodd, 7-foot-1 Michal
Cekovsky, Nickens, and another
highly recruited sophomore guard
in Dion Wiley. All will get valuable
experience this year to carry over to
2016-2017 when there’s a chance all
five starters will be gone.
have such high expectations, is
the seventh ranked RSCI player,
center Diamond Stone.
Maryland didn’t have a post
presence last year and the 6-foot11 Stone will provide that in his
freshman year, giving Turgeon a
wide body he can build a part of
his offensive playbook around.
Stone should command double
teams, opening up the perimeter
for shooters to have open looks.
Stone will also hopefully provide
defensive rebounding, an area
where Maryland was only average,
which will greatly improve their
already strong defense.
“Turgeon’s recruiting
efforts have
paid off, and
the Terps are
ready to step
back onto
the national
stage.”
Maryland’s transition to the Big
Ten was easy, finishing second in the
regular season in their
inaugural season.
Now, they have
a chance to grab
the title in their
second campaign,
and are one of the
heavy Final Four
favorites. The trust
in Turgeon paid off
and he is ready to
lead Maryland deep
into the postseason.
Photo: Mitch Stringer - USA TODAY Sports
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