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University of Maryland Terrapins

Now a veteran, Maryland's Melo Trimble poised to hit All-American form

Steven Dilsizian
USA TODAY Sports

WASHINGTON — Maryland lost four of five starters from last season’s team that finished 27-9 and climbed as high as No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) controls the ball against the Rider Broncs at Xfinity Center.

Diamond Stone, Jake Layman, Rasheed Sulaimon and Robert Carter Jr. all have moved on, either through graduation or an early exit to pursue a pro basketball career.

The lone returning starter, and the undisputed face of the program, is star point guard Melo Trimble.

Trimble considered entering the draft following his sophomore season, but in the end he decided to return to a Maryland team that desperately needed a veteran leader.

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“I think all along Melo wanted to stay,” coach Mark Turgeon said. “He knew it was the best thing for him, and he has been very happy since he has made the decision.”

Trimble took the Big Ten by storm as a freshman, averaging a team-high 16.2 points a game. Last year he struggled through a bit of a sophomore slump. Although he continued to lead the Terps in scoring and assists (14.8, 5.0), Trimble’s shooting percentage dropped. During a stretch in February, Trimble shot 7-for-38 from the field.

Nagging injuries were an issue last season, Trimble said, noting that he needs to take better care of his body.

“The biggest thing for me is to just be myself and don’t be anything I can’t be,” Trimble said at Big Ten Media Day in D.C. “I just want to be myself and lead this team.”

He will be leading a brand new Maryland team this season.

Maryland Terrapins player Melo Trimble (L) speaks with the media during one-on-one interviews as part of Big Ten media day at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park.

“He (Trimble) knows this is his team and is kind of relaxed about that,” Turgeon said. “He isn’t worried about stepping on anybody’s toes.”

Trimble got a good look at leadership as a freshman when the Terrapins were led by Dez Wells, and there were plenty of veterans on last year’s team.

“I learned a lot from Dez. He was the leader when I got here and I was able to see how he controlled everything,” Trimble said. “He made it known that this was his team and we all had to respect him.”

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This year’s team, loaded with freshmen, is Trimble’s.

Many of these freshmen including the three four-star recruits Anthony Cowan, Kevin Huerter, and Justin Jackson will look to make an immediate impact.

“I teach the new guys all the time, especially on the offensive end,” Trimble said. “It’s fun teaching guys because they don’t know, and at one point I didn’t know, too.”

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