If you're a Maryland Terrapins fan or merely enjoy tracking the ever-shifting sands of college basketball, there's a fresh breeze blowing in College Park. Buzz Williams, a coach with a knack for building teams, is at the helm, piecing together an entirely new roster for the Terps.
While there's always some uncertainty with such overhauls, the prospects might be brighter than anticipated. According to Andy Katz's latest rankings, we're looking at a possible top 30 finish, which would be an NCAA tournament ticket well worth securing for a team in transition.
Katz, known for his judicious evaluations, has slotted Maryland at No. 29 in his "Power 37" for NCAA.com. Now, that's a position that could see the Terps dancing come March. Not bad for Buzz's inaugural season with Maryland, especially given the pressure of a new conference alignment.
Across the Big Ten landscape, Purdue snaps up the bragging rights as Katz's No. 1 nationwide. Joining the ranks are Michigan at No.
5, Illinois squeezed into the 17th slot, Wisconsin at 22, Michigan State at 27, and Ohio State narrowly trailing Maryland at 30. So, Maryland's nestled in as the sixth-best in the conference.
But here's a pressing question for the Terps: who's stepping up to fill the scoring void? The current stats show no player averaging more than 11 points per game.
That's the puzzle Buzz Williams will need to solve.
Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News summed it up aptly in a conversation with Ed Lee from the Baltimore Sun. "Defense could very well be Maryland's calling card moving forward," said DeCourcy, emphasizing that while the offense is still in question, a solid defense will be critical. He added, "You're not winning without making the right number of shots when it counts, and the Terps need to figure that out."
The Big Ten is no walk in the park, acting as a merciless proving ground year after year. Even if the league faltered last season in achieving the coveted No. 1 rank, its history speaks volumes about its competitive nature. DeCourcy highlighted that Williams has a reputation for cultivating culture—a critical component when you’re integrating youth and experience.
The Big Ten Network had its analysts weigh in earlier this month as well. Katz noted Williams' track record of success at Virginia Tech, Marquette, and A&M, hinting at a promising trajectory for Maryland's future. A fun side note is that two of Maryland’s recent coaching hires, including Williams, hail from A&M – a potential wellspring of talent conversion from the SEC's gritty courts to Big Ten’s storied arenas.
Rick Pizzo added yet another layer to the conversation, pointing out Williams' adaptability in the ever-evolving transfer portal landscape—a significant asset in today's game. "Change isn't just something he's comfortable with; he thrives on it," Pizzo remarked, suggesting that this flexibility might be a key advantage as Maryland reshapes its basketball identity.
So, as we look ahead, there's reason for cautious optimism in College Park. While the roadmap is fraught with hurdles, both tactical and strategic, Williams’ pedigree suggests Maryland is on the cusp of crafting an exciting narrative in college hoops.
