Hoops Habit
Fansided

Big Ten: Pretenders Or Contenders?

By Aaron Ferguson

Feb 22, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Feb 22, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
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 /

Maryland Terrapins

Big Ten Record: 10-2
Key Wins: vs. IOWA 74-68, vs. PUR 72-61
Key Losses: @ MSU 74-65, @ MICH 70-67

Contenders

Maryland has been considered a top team in the country since the 2014-15 season, and it’s no different this season. Their 10-2 conference record only solidifies that notion. With the additions of guard Rasheed Sulaimon and true freshman Diamond Stone, the Terps have all the firepower from last year’s team and more.

It’s never easy to win on the road, and Maryland’s two losses in the state of Michigan are evidence of that. They didn’t get any help when playing a red-hot Michigan State team with a healthy Denzel Valentine. Michigan’s upset bid held true, despite the Wolverines playing without Caris LeVert. In fact, all three of Maryland’s losses have come on the road this season.

Two of their three remaining road games come against tough Big Ten teams that are jockeying for position at the top of the conference. The Terps will close the season on the road at Purdue and at Indiana with only one home game separating the tough finish. Maryland will certainly be tested.

Melo Trimble, Sulaimon and Stone are stealing the spotlight this season. One of Maryland’s top five scorers is the most unheralded of them all. Jake Layman is the ultimate two-way player, battling for loose balls and asserting himself on the boards. On the offensive end, he’s a threat around the paint and can step out and hit a three-pointer, and let’s not forget about his good passing. He has been the X-factor many teams this season.

The Terrapins go at least seven deep into their rotations. Seven players have played in all 24 games this season and are averaging at least 15 minutes per game. They have used three others in 20 or more games this season. But the bulk of the production is coming from the starting five, three of which average 30-plus minutes per game.

It is no question that Maryland is built to win the Big Ten, and they will have their opportunity to down the late stretch. But they are also built to make a deep NCAA Tournament run this March. The nation will certainly have their eyes on Maryland over the next month leading up to Selection Sunday.

Next: Michigan Wolverines