Maryland basketball’s incoming freshmen add much-needed support

When former Maryland guard Melo Trimble opted into the NBA Draft, it was clear the Terps needed to reload, and quickly.

“He’s moved on, so you have to move on—as a program and as a coach,” Turgeon said at Maryland basketball’s media availability Tuesday.

With the addition of incoming freshmen Darryl Morsell and Bruno Fernando, men’s basketball head coach Mark Turgeon may have found his newest ammo.

Morsell and Fernando, both four-star recruits in the Class of 2017, joined a program in somewhat of a purgatory state. The Terps’ big three of Anthony Cowan, Kevin Huerter and Justin Jackson are all a year older, but the program will have to replace the production lost from Trimble’s departure, who finished his career 22nd on Maryland’s all-time scoring list with 1,658 career points.

They haven’t played a minute in the black and gold yet, but Turgeon already likes what they bring to the table.

Morsell, a 6’4 shooting guard out of Baltimore, brings defensive prowess and raw athleticism to a position that’s in need of just that.

“Darryl’s playing multiple positions for us,” Turgeon said. “[He] gives us a defender on the perimeter that we really needed. He’s got great size, good rebounder. He’s a winner.”

Turgeon noted that the Mount Saint Joseph’s product has improved his shot since his arrival to College Park, and that combination could someday flourish into a starting spot for Morsell.

“He’s going to be our backup point guard...as of today,” Turgeon said lightheartedly. “We’ll see moving forward.”

Fernando, a towering 6’10 Angolan center, combines a high motor with the intensity of a Maryland fan favorite.

“I guess he’s a 6’10 Dez Wells,” Turgeon said. “He plays to exhaustion. Put him over on the sideline, give him a little Gatorade and he comes back out and does it again.”

A product of IMG Academy down in Florida, Fernando has the sheer size to play down low in the post, but the versatility to play alongside other bigs too.

“We really haven’t had one like him. Athletic ... skilled. Fans are going to like him.”

In other news

It’s way too early, but Maryland basketball is slotted as a No. 7 seed in a bracket prediction by Sports Illustrated.

The Terps’ shallow depth at shooting guard is evident, but sophomore Kevin Huerter looks to anchor the starting spot this season.

Maryland football faces an important test against Rutgers this weekend. Thankfully, they won’t be facing Saquon Barkley in the backfield (yet).

Yesterday was Halloween, and Josh Woods accomplished costume goals by dressing up as Maryland football head coach DJ Durkin.

Speaking of costumes, former Terp Jake Layman reprised his role as a slasher for the Trail Blazers yesterday and became Freddy Krueger for Halloween.

The Terps’ first regular season game is just over a week away, and BT Powerhouse put together a Maryland basketball preview.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect Trimble’s career point total.