We continue our recruit and return series with the Maryland Terrapins, whose season ended Thursday with a loss to Xavier in the West Region. Here is a look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five"
G: Melo Trimble
Who is lost: Two senior frontcourt players are out of eligibility. Damonte Dodd didn’t come into College Park with much hype, but he ended his career as the starting center. Dodd was efficient when given touches around the rim and blocked shots at a high clip. Former Duquesne transfer L.G. Gill helped provide frontcourt depth during his lone season under coach Mark Turgeon.
Who is added: The Terrapins are bringing in a small recruiting class next season, with four-star guard Darryl Morsell out of Baltimore and four-star Bruno Fernando, a former ESPN 100 prospect who did a post-grad year after parting ways with SMU. Morsell can play both guard positions. He had a great spring and summer before his senior season, showing aggressiveness and finishing ability off the dribble. Fernando expanded his game during his post-grad year at IMG Academy, when he went from a strong big man who could block shots and finish at the rim to someone who could step out and face up. He has plenty of upside. Two 2016 signees, small forward Micah Thomas and European forward Joshua Tomaic, sat out this season but will be eligible in 2017-18.
What it means for next season: Well, here’s the elephant in the room: What will Trimble do? Trimble was a candidate to turn pro after his freshman season, but he’s still in College Park two years later and could come back for his senior campaign. If he does return -- and he isn't going to be a first-rounder this year -- he will continue to be one of the most clutch guards in the country. He took on less of a playmaking role as a junior, reaching a career high in points. The reason for the diminished point guard role was the result of freshman Cowan, who creates well for his teammates and is unselfish with the ball. Trimble still managed to average in double-figures. Two more freshmen, Huerter and Jackson, also played starring roles as newcomers. Huerter was a good shooter for the Terrapins and should be even better with a year under his belt. Jackson can do a little of everything and ended up leading the team in rebounding. He also shot around 44 percent from 3-point range. Look for Cekovsky to take on a bigger role if healthy next season, and Jaylen Brantley, Dion Wiley, Jared Nickens and Ivan Bender are also back.
Trending: Up. Turgeon has now led Maryland to at least 24 wins in three straight seasons, and that looks like it will continue in 2017-18, assuming Trimble returns. Most of the rest of the rotation returns, as well, and this season's three starting freshmen -- Cowan, Huerter, Jackson -- will be even better next season.