The tables are turned for the Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball team this season. Gone is the proven production. Now it’s all about potential.
“I have a lot of new players, a lot of new pieces, a lot of good pieces,” said Maryland coach Mark Turgeon.
Coach Turgeon and members of his team were in Washington, D.C. on Thursday for Big Ten media day.
His team returns only one starter from last season’s squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. That’s guard Melo Trimble. The all-conference preseason selection decided to stay in College Park rather than enter the NBA Draft.
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“I’m here to get better and of course something to prove,” said Trimble.
“He knows this is his team this year. He’s kind of relaxed about that,” said Turgeon. “He’s not worried about stepping on anybody’s toes, maybe like he has the last couple years. So it should be a great year for Melo,”
No need for the junior to look out for the toes of Diamond Stone, Jake Layman or Rasheed Sulaimon. Those big names have moved on from the Terps and are now in the NBA. Trimble’s supporting cast this season includes six freshman which were added to the roster.
“We know we have a new group of guys and we have low expectations, which is good for the team,” said Trimble. “We’re all just ready for the season.”
“Over the summer we worked really hard,” said Terps senior forward Damonte Dodd. “With the new guys, they’re fast learners. We’re going to expect to do well and try our hardest.”
“We’ve had back-to-back really good teams. We want to continue that. That’s really what’s important to us, trying to set a standard at Maryland that’s a very high standard,” said Turgeon.
Even though the season is still a month away, you can't blame the Terps and their fans if they already want to look ahead to the postseason. For the first time the Big Ten tournament will be held in Washington, D.C. at Verizon Center. Advantage Maryland.
The Terps open regular season play on Friday, November 11 when they host American University.
