Maryland basketball has 60-1 odds to win the 2019 national championship

The 2017-18 college basketball season officially came to a close late Monday night, as Villanova won its second title in three years, defeating Michigan 79-62, but there are already odds for the 2019 champion.

Maryland comes in tied for 19th with 60-1 odds. The Terps’ old rival Duke leads the way with 5-1 odds, with a trio of Villanova, Kansas and Kentucky close behind at 8-1 odds. In the Big Ten, Michigan State has the best odds at 15-1. Michigan and Purdue have 20-1 and 40-1 odds, respectively. Ohio State joins Maryland with 60-1 odds.

The Terps’ chances, though, are likely heavily linked to the return of Bruno Fernando, which is not such a sure thing. Maryland will bring back what could be the Big Ten’s best backcourt with the duo of Anthony Cowan Jr. and Kevin Huerter, as well as the nation’s No. 14 recruiting class; incoming freshmen Jalen Smith, Aaron Wiggins and Eric Ayala are all expected to contribute early.

In other news

The Testudo Times Bracket Challenge is in the books, and we’ve got a tie between Doug (Fooglass’ finest) and Matt, our podcast host (Cubic Zirconia Stone), each with 121 points. Congrats, guys!

Jermaine Carter Jr. has pre-draft visits set up with the Eagles, Chiefs, Steelers and Jets. Linebackers coaches from the Giants and Panthers have met with him, and he’s talked with the Patriots, Titans and Chargers, per Aaron Wilson.

Justin Jackson is already gone, and Bruno Fernando will have to make a the same decision in the near future. Thomas outlined his options.

Courtesy of our friends at The Diamondback, Maryland men’s lacrosse has struggled mightily in fourth quarters this season, but overcame those demons in a 13-5 blowout of No. 15 Michigan. The Terps won the fourth quarter 5-0 and closed the game on a 7-0 run.

In football recruiting news, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country in the Class of 2020, Bryan Bresee, was invited Wednesday to the Under Armour All-America Game. Keontae Jenkins, another local stud in 2020, wants to show the DMV some love.