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Big Ten: Maryland Terrapins 2014-15 Preview

By AJ King

Mar 2, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard/forward Dez Wells (32) shoots the ball during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at J.C. Littlejohn Coliseum. Tigers won 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard/forward Dez Wells (32) shoots the ball during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at J.C. Littlejohn Coliseum. Tigers won 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland Terrapins begin a new era this season, joining the Big Ten after 62 years of membership in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Sporting News picked Maryland to finish seventh in the new 14-team league, but the Terps have the potential to sneak into the top five by season’s end.

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They took a big blow in May when guard

Seth Allen

decided

to stay in the ACC and transfer to Virginia Tech. Allen’s 111.8 offensive rating led the Terps in 2013-14, and the Woodbridge, Va., native shot 38 percent from 3-point range.

Now they have to turn to freshman Melo Trimble in the backcourt.

Trimble is a 6-foot-2 guard from Bishop O’Connell High School in Upper Marlboro, Md., and a 2014 McDonald’s All-American. He was named to the preseason all-newcomer team by The Sporting News and figures to be a large part of the offense right from the beginning of the season.

Ultimately, Maryland will lean heavily on senior guard Dez Wells to be the primary scorer in league play. Wells was named to the preseason all-conference team. He averaged 14.9 points per game and 4.3 assists per game in his junior season, scoring 19 against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio.

That game — a 76-60 Buckeye victory — may be a preview of what we can expect from Maryland in its first season in the Big Ten. The Terrapins have the experience and talent to defeat many of their middle-of-the-pack Big Ten opponents, but they will not be able to defend well enough to stick with the top tier programs like Michigan State, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Mar 9, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Evan Smotrycz (1) works for a shot against the Virginia Cavaliers at Comcast Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Evan Smotrycz (1) works for a shot against the Virginia Cavaliers at Comcast Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

Maryland also returns senior starter Evan Smotrycz and junior guard Jake Layman, who started early in 2013 when Seth Allen was battling injury. If Wells and Smotrycz can put together top-notch senior seasons, Maryland could possibly exceed preseason expectations.

It will be Maryland’s ability to move the ball better in 2014-15 that could catapult them to the NCAA tournament. Wells averaged just more than two assists per game last season, which is pedestrian for a lead guard. He must get his teammates involved and input a culture of sharing the basketball.