OT - Melo Trimble to Return To Maryland MBB

Submitted by alum96 on

This is a pretty big return for Maryland basketball.  I think out of the Big 10 freshmen only 3 really were candidates for 1 and done (Russell, Trimble, Blackmon) ... likelihood in that order. 

Trimble averaged 16.2 ppg in 34min a night, shooting 44% overall and 41% from the 3.  Also excellent rebounding and assists for a freshman - 3.9 and 3.0 respectively.  Also shoots 86% from FT.

While not a lottery pick it seems Tremble was a candidate for the back half of the first round via mocks.

Trimble told The Washington Post on Saturday that he planned to leave Maryland this year only if he was guaranteed to be a lottery pick in June’s draft. A couple of unofficial mock drafts had Trimble as a late first-round draft pick.  “I had him as a first round pick, but not as a lottery [top 14] pick,” one NBA executive said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday.

It seems to have gone unnoticed here but Diamond Stone - a guy Beilein wanted, a 6'10 250 lb center and #6 overall just committed to Maryland this past week and reports today are he would not have gone to Maryland if Melo had not come back

“That was a big factor for me because I need someone to pass the ball and just run the offense,” Stone told Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier on 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday. “Melo’s one of the best at doing that, so that was a big decision. I actually texted Melo, I asked him, so I knew beforehand that he was going to stay. If he would’ve left, I probably wouldn’t be at Maryland. So when he stayed, then I decided to go to the University of Maryland.”

Stone is playing in tonight's McDonald's All American game with Deyonta Davis (MSU) and Caleb Swanigan (undecided but MSU is among the top suitors). 

This immediately vaults IMO Maryland back to top tier of the Big 10 next year with MSU and UM IMO.  I think Dez Wells is the only guy they lost and Maryland had 2 other close to 7 footers in last years class I believe (not sure if they redshirted last year)  I am assuming Russell is gone from OSU.

OccaM

April 1st, 2015 at 11:03 PM ^

Turgeon is one hell of a recruiter... idk about his in game coaching though. That WVU game was brutal all around whether it was coaching or injuries. 

alum96

April 1st, 2015 at 11:10 PM ^

Last year's Maryland class was pretty damn good - aside from Trimble (31st overall) they had SG Wiley (53rd overall) and Nickens who was top 100.  Then a 7 footer who was just outside the top 100.  The 5th guy was 6'9 not 7 foot as I remember.

Then in this class you get a guy like Stone who usually goes to a Duke, Kansas, Kentucky ....was a coup.   They also had a Ga Tech transfer (I forgot his name) who had to sit out this year like Eron Harris or Robinson for us who will immediately help. 

I am not super familiar with their coach but seems to have some Thad Matta to him at least as a recruiter.   The front line is going to cause some issues for us with all its size and Melo is basically a shorter Caris in terms of stats.   We only played them once last year so probably a lot of fans didn't watch a lot of Maryland basketball. 

OccaM

April 1st, 2015 at 11:16 PM ^

From what I've heard from some Maryland buddies, Turgeon isn't that great in game. Given the WVU game, I would have to agree. Headscratching decisions and it felt like Maryland was down by 20 when they were hovering around within 5 points even with Trimble healthy. After he went down, game over. 

Maryland might be favored along with us and MSU but Beilein and Izzo definitely have him beat on coaching from what they told me. 

ijohnb

April 2nd, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^

and we have some dust to settle before I am going to call us "favorites" for anything.  Levert could return and we will still not be ranked pre-season Top 25.  Levert and Jaylen Brown would not get us into the top 15 and maybe not even the top 20.

MadtownMaize

April 1st, 2015 at 11:12 PM ^

would never have gotten past UM admissions. I am sure some of you will skewer me, but I happen to know that he got a horrific ACT score. I no longer believe that Maryland gives a damn about academics, and I wish more now than ever that they were not in the B1G. Even Sparty wouldn't have taken him.

ThadMattasagoblin

April 1st, 2015 at 11:35 PM ^

I don't think any college really truly gives a damn about academics. USC is a good school and got Reggie Bush. Duke constantly gets one and dones. UNC gets one and dones. UCLA. The only true student-athlete schools are probably the ivies or military schools.

Wolverheel

April 1st, 2015 at 11:48 PM ^

That's not true at all-- just look at Wisconsin. Their football coach quit specifically because they wouldn't bend the admissions for athletes. That's why Diamond didn't go there, as his grades weren't good enough. Same with Stanford, northwestern, Utah, and several others that are all known for not bending much in their admissions policies.

alum96

April 2nd, 2015 at 10:18 AM ^

There is a difference between "giving a damn" and "being equal to the general populace".  I think we all agree the sports teams are not the same as the general populace. 

Guy above you is correct - MSU took a guy (Craig Evans) from Wisconsin last year because he was having trouble being accepted into Wisconsin.  MSU didn't care.   And Izzo went after a transfer this summer who was having trouble qualifying for Indiana.  So if guy has trouble to get into Indiana or Wisconsin but MSU takes him no sweat there is obviously a different standard. Doesn't mean said dude is equal to general populace of MSU, Wisconsin, or Indiana.   It's all relative - you can be bottom of the barrel minimum which MOST schools I do believe are or some step above the minimum.

ak47

April 2nd, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^

What most schools actually do is have a couple spots for guys right at the minimum that admissions will look the other way on and the rest have to meet a certain standard.  So when you see a school like Maryland accept a guy Wisconsin wouldn't  (which all just pure speculation and bullshit) it is because Wisconsin already has reached their cap of iffy academic guys.  

Maryland's clearing house has actually stopped more than a few high level recruits from enrolling due to acadmics and Michigan football has more than a couple who just meet NCAA standards.  It is what it is.  Obviously some schools care more than others but in general for a top level recruit like Stone, every school would take him if he meets the NCAA base and that includes Wisconsin and Michigan.

umchicago

April 2nd, 2015 at 3:33 AM ^

a wisky fan recently told me the same thing.  he said he couldn't get past the wisky standards but maryland accepted him.  i told him that even BIG schools have different standards; though they may meet minimum ncaa standards.

Gisele

April 1st, 2015 at 11:29 PM ^

Smart move, Wells dominated the ball so often.  Without him Trimble will really shine.  Looks like he had a similar decision to what Burke faced.

umumum

April 1st, 2015 at 11:57 PM ^

plus they get a very solid transfer from Georgia Tech eligible.  Robert Carter 6'8"--averaged 11.4 ppg and 8.4 rpg.  Very strong frontline with point guard.   Only issues may be outside shooting and quickness.

KyleMullins

April 2nd, 2015 at 1:24 AM ^

If Lavert leaves whats the ceiling on this team next year?  I'd say 3rd/4th in the B1G, 4 or 5 seed in the tournament. 



If Lavert stays, I think its nearly the same 2/3 maybe in the B1G, and 3/4 seed in the tournament.  

I don't trust our big men at all, and teams like Maryland with Stone and Layman and the Czech dude and MSU will still own the paint. 

alum96

April 2nd, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^

A lot depends on who develops up front.  I like Doyle but everyone assumes he is suddenly going to be a very good player next year.  I hope he will be but who knows.  And DJ Wilson looked like a project last year in limited time.  Those 2 I think will be the keys because for yet another year we are going to struggle playing above the rim, rim defense, and rebounding IMO.  Unfortunately these have become chronic situations with UM's personnel.  Wilson specifically is the one big man who on paper could give you 15-20 minutes a night of shot blocking, and rebounding but dude needs 20 lbs plastered on this off season.

On paper Maryland and MSU look to be the top 2 and Michigan right behind.  Both those teams will have inside games that we probably won't.  Deyonta Davis looks like a pretty superlative PF for MSU - raw on offense but that very long lengthy guy who plays above the rim, gets rebounds etc etc - typical guy we wish for at our 4 (minus the outside shooting Beilein wants). Eron Harris was a huge get for MSU - basically they lose Trice and replace with a more pure scorer in Harris (although Trice has been on fire this tournament).  And Davis replaces Dawson.  Everyone else comes back a year older plus they have a few other freshman including one Beilein was after (McQuaid). 

We'll be another guard/wing oriented team that will have to beat teams with offense.  I'll put our 1 thru 3s up against anybody in the league but 4/5 is the issue.  I do expect Dawkins to be the 4 this year if he continues on his breakout February/March.  Just a bit undersized.

Steve in PA

April 2nd, 2015 at 1:22 PM ^

It's good for Maryland and good for the conference he is coming back. He's one of the non-Michigan players I really enjoy watching and makes them instant contenders.