Maryland Basketball: Terps roll past Catawba College
The Maryland basketball team had their annual tune-up prior to the season opener.
The Terrapins looked to be clicking on all cylinders in a 95-61 win over Catawba College. Five different Maryland players finished in double figures.
Forward Jared Nickens led all scorers with 17 points (7-of-11) and four rebounds. Nickens also connected on three of his six attempts from beyond the arc.
However, the most important factor to take away from Saturday’s game was Melo Trimble’s health.
Trimble went down in the first half and was grabbing at his ankle. Fortunately, the team announced that Trimble just turned his ankle and will only miss a few days.
The former Bishop O’Connell (Va.) star played just nine minutes and grabbed two rebounds while dishing out two assists. Trimble didn’t score any points or attempt a field goal.
Coack Mark Turgeon used a starting group of Anthony Cowan, Trimble, Nickens, L.G. Gill, and Damonte Dodd.
Maryland jumped out to a 21-9 lead halfway through the opening half. The Terps went on an 8-0 run following four points from guard Dion Wiley.
Wiley was definitely one of the more impressive players in the first half. He connected on two of his first three shots for six points early on.
The former Potomac (Md.) standout had a very strong game. Wiley scored 12 points as he connected on two of his three attempts from beyond the three-point line.
Wiley missed the entire 2015-16 season with a torn meniscus.
One of the most concerning statistics was the fact that the Terps turned the basketball over 22 times. Of course, that’s to be expected of a team that saw five freshmen see the floor.
Turgeon is also dealing with a completely different roster after four starters are gone from last year’s Sweet 16 squad.
Cowan also looked very impressive throughout Saturday’s exhibition game.
The freshman guard was extremely efficient as he scored 15 points on five-of-eight shooting. Cowan also led the Terps with seven free throw attempts, which may remind Maryland fans of his backcourt counterpart in Trimble.
Fellow freshman Justin Jackson also had a successful collegiate debut.
Jackson scored 15 points (5-of-8) and grabbed six rebounds in 23 minutes. Only Cowan and Kevin Huerter played more with 24 minutes on the floor.
It’s certainly going to be a work in progress for Turgeon’s squad as the season begins. That’s inevitable with the amount of turnover from last year’s roster.
The Terps possess a ton of athleticism, so this is definitely going to be an entertaining team to watch.
Maryland basketball opens the 2016-17 season on Nov. 11 when they host American out of the Patriot League.
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