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Maryland Basketball: Five storylines to watch this season

By Chris Bengel

Jan 9, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon directs his team during the game with the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Maryland defeated Wisconsin 63-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon directs his team during the game with the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Maryland defeated Wisconsin 63-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Duquesne Dukes forward L.G. Gill (33) dunks the ball against the Dayton Flyers during the second half at the CONSOL Energy Center. Duquesne won 83-73. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Duquesne Dukes forward L.G. Gill (33) dunks the ball against the Dayton Flyers during the second half at the CONSOL Energy Center. Duquesne won 83-73. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Is there enough talent in the frontcourt?

This is by far Maryland’s biggest question mark heading into the 2016-17 season.

The Terps possessed one of the Big Ten’s more talented frontcourts in Robert Carter Jr. and Diamond Stone. However, both elected to enter the NBA Draft and forgo their remaining years of eligibility.

Damonte Dodd will be the senior leader of the group and has plenty of experience. He’s never been asked to score the basketball, but has been a solid rim protector over his career.

With Ivan Bender set to miss a good chunk of time, graduate transfer L.G. Gill becomes that much more important to Turgeon’s frontcourt rotation. Gill is a very athletic forward that can step out and hit a jump shot while also excelling around the rim.

Michal Cekovsky and Justin Jackson also figure to see time in the frontcourt. Turgeon could elect to use Jackson as a stretch four similar to Jake Layman.

Defensively, the Terps should be able to get by. However, the offense could be another story.

Cekovsky and Dodd have never been asked to score very much, but that is going to have to change if Maryland wants to be one of the top tier teams in the conference.