The Maryland Terrapins enter the 2014 season as the newest additions to the Big Ten conference, and with that comes an entirely different barometer for success and failure. In particular, they’re now being compared against an entirely different pool of teams when it comes to recruiting.
Gone are the days where, no matter what, Duke and North Carolina would always supplant you with the top classes. Now it’s Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, and Michigan State doing that. While the Big Ten may be no less daunting, it is still very new. There’s still a need to become more acclimated to its propensity for under-the-radar recruiting. How do the Terps and their top 10 national class stack up? Let’s find out:
(Discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
National Rank: #6 (ESPN), #8 (247Sports), #10 (Scout), #12 (Rivals)
Top Player: D’Angelo Russell
Ohio State gets the top billing because they have brought in one of the best playmakers in the class of 2014: D’Angelo Russell. Russell possesses a rare combination of shooting and playmaking ability; this kid is literally capable of hitting it from anywhere on the court. Give him an inch defensively, and he’ll take a mile. If Ohio State allows him to play shooting guard, they’ll be rewarded. He needs to develop in the strength department, but as a top tier talent, it’s hard to match him.
In addition to Russell, Ohio State brings in another weapon: Temple transfer Anthony Lee. Lee had most schools in the country at least mildly vying for his services; with a list that includes Lousiville, Indiana, and Notre Dame. But Lee ultimately chose the Buckeyes, and additionally ensured their dominance in the Big Ten. Lee averaged 13.6 points and 8.6 rebounds for the lowly Owls last season, but look for him to continue that dominance even in a superior conference.
Add in another stud wing like Keita Bates-Diop, the 6-6 wing from Illinois who lead the state in scoring, and it’s clear Ohio State has a leg up on everyone. Diop and his solid rebounding counterpart Jae’Sean Tate have some work to do before contributing on a full time basis, but far less than other players in their class, and that’s why Ohio State gets top conference billing.
2. Maryland Terrapins
National Rank: #9 (ESPN), #12 (247Sports), #9 (Scout), #10 (Rivals)
Top Player: Melo Trimble
Anytime you can bring in a burger boy, you’ve done your job on the recruiting trail. Melo Trimble couldn’t come to the Terps any sooner, as he will have to shoulder a heavy load with the departure of Seth Allen. Maryland brought in arguably the best shooting class in the country for 2014, with Jared Nickens and Dion Wiley likely to make an impact early on with their long range shots.
Maryland also addressed some major front court needs with the additions of dual seven footers Trayvon Reed and Mikhail Cekovsky. While both players are likely longer term projects at this point, Reed can provide some much needed rim protection early on for the Terps; something they desperately missed last year.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
National Rank: #17 (247Sports)
Top Player: James Blackmon Jr.
Indiana brings with them into 2014 a dangerous tandem in local Indiana product SG James Blackmon Jr., and Richmond, Virginia native guard/forward Robert Johnson. Blackmon is almost unquestionably the most gifted long range shooter in the 2014 class and should provide an immediate impact for the Hoosiers because of his ability to space the floor. Blackmon was also a McDonald’s All-American, and by every account represents the hard working attitude that Hoosiers fans love.
The other gem of the class, Robert Johnson, is another combo guard. While that may not seem like a good fit given that Blackmon Jr. is another combo guard, Johson is equally as committed to winning and provides a bit more explosiveness to the mix. Johnson should fit in perfectly with Yogi at point for Indiana, and has the potential to be the X-factor for the Hoosiers all year.
4. Michigan Wolverines
National Rank: #28 (247Sports)
Top Player: Kameron Chatman
The Wolverines may not have had one of their more heralded classes, but the surprise addition of Kameron Chatman, a 6’7 small forward from Long Beach, California, should bolster that 2014 group. Chatman can play both the shooing guard and small forward position, but with the departure of Nik Stauskas to the NBA, he will compete for starter minutes at the three.
Chatman isn’t a freakish athlete, but he’s very smart with the ball and a solid shooter. The Wolverines also brought in a sleeper small forward in D.J. Wilson from Sacramento, California and another power forward in Ricky Doyle of Florida. All three players may need some time to contribute significantly, but Michigan might ask them to play extended minutes.
5. Purdue Boilermakers
National Rank: #34 (247Sports)
Top Player: Isaac Haas
Purdue signs one of the most reasonable and balanced classes in the nation, with solid player at every single position (PG, SF, SG, PF, and C). But without a doubt, the crown jewel of the class is 7-footer Isaac Haas of Gasden, Alabama. Haas is a solid athlete who tips the scales at 285 lbs, and looks a lot like a traditional NBA center at this point. He impressed quite a bit at the NBPA Top 100 camp, and is an aggressive player to pair up with Hammons in the frontcourt.
But Purdue also nabbed Ohio wing Vincent Edwards, who should be able to come in and provide immediate help. Edwards may be the 88th ranked player by ESPN but he’s oozing with talent and has a pretty versatile game. Overall, the class is balanced enough that Purdue should feel confident about their future.
6. Illinois
National Rank: #45 (247Sports)
Top Player: Leron Black
Illinois would be higher if you just took into account singular impact players, because Leron Black could be an incredibly potent player right away. Black is a stud forward who was also Mr. Basketball of Tennessee’s AAA Class and should wow people with his soft touch from midrange and constant motor.
Couple that with Michael Finke, a very impressive shooter, and Illinois did pretty well for themselves in what could be a down year in the Big Ten.
7. Michigan State
National Rank: #49 (247Sports)
Top Player: Lourawls Nairn Jr.
Michigan State hauls in two major players in 2014, one of which might wow you more than his size might expect. The Spartans will introduce college hoops to Lourawls Nairn Jr., the best point guard in the state of Kansas. Nairn may be 5’10, but nearly every coach in the Midwest for his command on offense (including Kansas, Indiana and Minnesota). Nairn should shock people with what he can do on the court, and may well start right away for Michigan State.
They also brought in a top five Ohio guard in Javon Bess. Bess has turned it on quite a bit of late, but he will definitely need more time to become acclimated to playing a different position than in high school. Right now he’s in the backcourt, but he won’t have the same size advantage on the wing in the Big Ten.
8. Northwestern
National Rank: #53 (247Sports)
Top Player: Victor Law
Northwestern hauls in a large five player, wing-heavy class centered largely around Victor Law. Law, a Chicago native and 6-7 wing, reminds you a lot of former Memphis wing Will Barton; wiry framed but versatile. Law has a great motor and can score in a plethora of ways for someone his size. Should he add bulk, he could be a surprise in the Big Ten very early on.
9. Minnesota Gophers
National Rank: #72 (247 Sports)
Top Player: Carlos Morris
Carlos Morris is a member of the 2014 class, but the 6’5 wing is actually going to be a Juco transfer from Chipola College. Morris is athletic, and will need to use a lot of that to replace the departure of Austin Hollis from the reigning NIT champions.
Morris will pair up with fellow southern guard Nate Mason Jr, who received offers from Clemson, Virginia, and Kansas State. The 6’1 point guard should be able to provide early minutes and could develop into a special player.
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
National Rank: #73 (247Sports)
Top Player: Trey Dickerson
Iowa does a fantastic job under Fran McCaffery at getting creative with limited recruiting options, and this year is no different. JUCO point guard Trey Dickerson is a sleeper, but not for long, because he’s probably going to start from day one in Iowa. Dickerson has a good shot, can break a defender down, and has no problem passing the ball around evenly.
The California product will provide a big spark for Iowa.
Both international player Dominique Uhl and Brady Ellingson should provide some solid play for the Hawkeyes a little further down the road, but not right away.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions
National Rank: #87 (247Sports)
Top Player: Shep Garner
Penn State doesn’t provide much to look forward to, but Shep Garner, the 6’1 guard from Pennsylvania, could be decent. He’s had a very good senior year and done relatively well in a few All-Star games at the end of the year.
12. Nebraska Huskers
National Rank: #88 (247Sports)
Top Player: Jacob Hammond
Hammond is really the only player who could add onto an already solid Nebraska team from last season. Hammond is the second best player in Oklahoma, and at 6’10, 235 lbs may have a body capable of giving good minutes at the PF position. He adds a post body to a loaded team, and will continue to help reestablish Nebrasketball.
13. Wisconsin Badgers
National Rank: #107 (247Sports)
Top Player: Ethan Happ
Wisconsin only brought in one player, small forward Ethan Happ, who might need a year or two to develop all the way. An unstoppable player on the court when his deep shot is going in, Happ won’t likely see extended minutes right off the bat. That said, he will likely develop into a key player for the Badgers down the line with his hustle.
14. Rutgers Scarlett Knights
National Rank: #NA
Top Player: Ibrahima Diallo
Rutgers has a 5 man class, with Diallo – ESPN’s #27 rated Center – the highest rated of the bunch.
D.C. resident. Graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia (four year letterman in hockey) and University of Maryland, College Park. Played three years of ice hockey at Maryland. Former writer for Washington Wizards blog (TheDCDime.com), current hockey coach at Gonzaga College Preparatory School. Terrapin nut. Editor of Terrapin Station.