Location: College Park, MD
Nickname: Terrapins
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Last Year’s Record: 21-14
Key Returners: Greivis Vasquez (17.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5 apg), Landon Milbourne (11.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Eric Hayes (10.3 ppg), Adrian Bowie (9 ppg)
Top Newcomers: James Padgett, Jordan Williams
Strengths: As long as the Terps have Greivis Vasquez, they’ll be a team to reckon with. Vasquez is the best returning point guard in the ACC and the senior is ready to continue his stellar play. His mouth sometimes gets him in trouble, but his game always saves him. He got solid contributions from Landon Milbourne, Eric Hayes, and Adrian Bowie last year so don’t believe this is just a one-man team. However, there’s no doubt that Vasquez is the heart and soul of Gary Williams’ team.
Weakness: This team was an enigma last season. The up-and-down play the Terrapins displayed was mind-boggling to their fans so it had to be maddening to Williams. The Terps did enough late in the season to make it to the Big Dance, but they were so bad in the middle of the year that people were calling for Williams’ job. Being consistent will be the key for Maryland if it expects to move up in the ACC. If not, the boo-birds will come back in College Park.
Outlook: With Vasquez back to lead, this team can finish in the top third of the ACC. It has experience and two blue-chip recruits so the talent is there. If they can play consistent basketball, this can be a great year in College Park.
Bracketville USA 