Maryland Basketball: 5 Biggest Threats to Terps’ Title Hopes

Mar 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard/forward Jake Layman (10) celebrates with guard Melo Trimble (2) after a made basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Maryland basketball team is projected to be one of the nation’s best in the upcoming season. With two of their three stars from a season ago, Melo Trimble and Jake Layman, returning, the Terps already had a solid foundation to build around. Enter, a pair of talented transfers in Robert Carter (Georgia Tech) and Rasheed Sulaimon (Duke), as well as a Top-10 recruit in Diamond Stone. Maryland also brings back some other key contributors, who serve as role players, including Jared Nickens and Damonte Dodd. They even managed to land one of the top junior college players in point guard Jaylen Brantley.

From top to bottom, the Terps are loaded. After there were so many questions surrounding head coach Mark Turgeon and the direction the program was heading, Maryland now has arguably one of their most talented squads in school history.

Winning the national championship, won’t be easy, however. There are a handful of teams who appear to be serious threats to Maryland’s title hopes. These teams include rosters with upperclassmen and experienced leaders, as well as those full of young raw talent.

Here’s a look at who Maryland may be meeting late in March.