With Bruno Fernando out, Maryland basketball will turn to its other big men

Maryland basketball beat Ohio by 25 points on Thursday night. Senior center Michal Cekovsky went 6-of-6 for 15 points, and four Terps scored in double figures overall. But Bruno Fernando’s sprained ankle was a scary moment in an otherwise low-stress game.

The freshman won’t miss too many games with his injury, and even if he does miss the next four, they’re all against low-caliber opponents. Big Ten play doesn’t resume until Jan. 2, when the Terps host Penn State. It seems almost certain at this point that Fernando will be back by then at the latest.

In the meantime, Maryland will turn to its other big men, giving a slightly expanded role to each. Cekovsky flashed his upside on Friday, and Ivan Bender has been a rotational presence all season. Perhaps more interesting will be what this means for Sean Obi and Joshua Tomaic, both of whom have seen limited minutes in the early going. Obi posted six points and three rebounds in five minutes Thursday,

The Terps won’t need too many bigs against their upcoming opponents—”I’m sure Catholic doesn’t have a lot of 7-footers running around,” head coach Mark Turgeon said after Thursday’s game—but they’ll need to be warm after the break. Two days after Penn State comes to town, the Maryland visits East Lansing and No. 2 Michigan State. These next few games are an extended chance to prepare for those matchups and beyond.

“We’ll see, but yeah, it’s an opportunity for people,” Turgeon said. “I thought that the guys handled those opportunities tonight really well.”

In other news

Maryland women’s basketball has another home game tonight against George Washington.

Pro Football Focus ratings are out for Maryland’s offensive and defensive players. The leaders: D.J. Moore and Darnell Savage.

Freshman safety Markquese Bell, who left the university last month, is headed to community college.

The Maryland field hockey coaching staff is your NFHCA Mid Atlantic Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.

Maryland soccer’s Eryk Williamson is a Third Team All-American, which is also cool.