Hoops Habit
Fansided

Providence’s Ben Bentil Headlines College Basketball’s Unsung Heroes

By Nathan Giese

Dec 9, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) celebrates against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) celebrates against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Jan 28, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Rasheed Sulaimon (0) reacts after defeating Iowa Hawkeyes 74-69 at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Rasheed Sulaimon (0) reacts after defeating Iowa Hawkeyes 74-69 at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Rasheed Sulaimon, Maryland Terrapins

Maryland’s big question coming into the season wasn’t whether or not they were talented, it was whether or not that talent (three new starters coming in from different situations) would mesh quickly.

It’s still a work in progress, but the Terrapins have been one of the better teams in college basketball this year, a year where hitting your stride late will be critical in the NCAA tournament. One man on the team has had success in March and it’s the same man that’s made the biggest difference for Maryland this season.

Rasheed Sulaimon isn’t wowing with the stats (10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists), but he’s made a huge difference for the Terrapins. Melo Trimble isn’t exactly known for his defense, which is why having a lockdown defender like Sulaimon next to him in the backcourt has made such a big difference, as it did in Maryland’s biggest win of the season to date against Iowa last week.

His presence has allowed Trimble to focus more on expanding his offensive game, and it’s working. Trimble’s averaging 5.4 assists this season, which is almost double his average from last season. Sulaimon’s also been a reliable outside shooter, hitting 47 percent of his threes, 31st in the nation in all games played.

Shooting has made him an offensive threat and his defense has helped Maryland become dangerous on both sides of the ball.

Next: George King