Maryland basketball picked sixth in Jon Rothstein's Big Ten power rankings

Maryland basketball will kick off the 2024-25 season in 98 days vs. Manhattan as Kevin Willard prepares for his third season as head coach of the program, and on Monday, college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein placed Maryland sixth in his Big Ten preseason power rankings. Purdue landed as the top team in Rothstein's conference preview with Indiana, UCLA, Ohio State and Oregon ahead of Maryland, but Rothstein also credited a pair of the Terps' additions as impact pieces in the conference in 2024-25. Five-star freshman Derik Queen was unsurprisingly named one of 15 impact freshmen in the conference as the Baltimore native is expected to step into a starting role in the frontcourt alongside high school teammate and current vet Julian Reese. After watching a practice earlier this month, Rothstein noted that Queen's “skill level for his size is ridiculous. Taking and making 3’s. An effortless offensive player.” Despite signing five transfers this offseason, Ja'Kobi Gillespie was the lone transfer addition recognized as the former Belmont guard was named one of 20 impact transfers in the conference. Gillespie was the first recruiting win of the offseason for Maryland after assistant Greg Manning Jr. spearheaded portal efforts to make the Terps an immediate contender with Alabama, Kansas, LSU and Florida and others involved. Gillespie averaged 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season at Belmont, and after being recruited as Jahmir Young's replacement for likely the next two seasons, Rothstein included Gillespie in his starting five prediction alongside former USF guard Selton Miguel. Rothstein also projected DeShawn Harris-Smith, one of two returning starters in 2024-25, as the fifth starter alongside Gillespie, Miguel, Reese and Queen. While the Big Ten has yet to finalize the upcoming conference schedule, opponents have been previously announced with Maryland set to play Nebraska, Northwestern and Ohio State in a home-and-home. The Terps will also face Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan State, Rutgers, Wisconsin and Big Ten newcomers UCLA and USC at home only. The road slate for league play will include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue and conference newcomers Oregon and Washington. Related Links Maryland set to face Syracuse at Barclays Center, finalizes non-conference schedule’26 WR BJ Garrett sees fit in Maryland’s receiver room during visitWhat Mike Locksley, players said at Big Ten Media Days ahead of 2024 seasonMaryland basketball makes top cut for two local targets’26 in-state tackle builds relationship with Terps assistant on latest visit’26 Pa. tight end details his fit in Maryland’s offense after offer, visit