COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Rising senior Anthony Cowan Jr. and rising sophomore Jalen Smith have been listed among Andy Katz's preseason top-25 players in the country for the 2019-20 season.
Cowan Jr. checked in at No. 9 on Katz's list, while Smith was ranked 18th overall. The duo leads a Maryland program that has been listed among the top-10 teams in the country by virtually every national publication in early rankings.
A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Cowan Jr. is one of six players in program history with 1,300 points and 400 assists and has started all 99 games since stepping foot in College Park. He currently ranks 23rd in program history in points (1,376) and t-10th in career assists (437).
"With Jalen Smith inside and Anthony Cowan on the perimeter, Maryland has what it takes to challenge Michigan State for the top spot in the Big Ten and a run at a Final Four," Katz said.
Smith started all 33 games in an outstanding rookie season last year, averaging 11.7 point and 6.8 rebounds and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week on three occasions. His five double-doubles were third-most for a freshman in program history and he was particularly impressive on the offensive glass, with 40-percent of his rebounds coming at that end of the court.
"Jalen Smith is ready for the challenge of taking on more responsibility," Katz said. "He will certainly be a potential double-double player for the Terps."
The Terps' non-conference schedule is projected to be announced in the next few weeks. It was announced July 11 that Maryland will face Temple in the opening round of the Orlando Invitational on Nov. 28. The field also includes Marquette, USC and Texas A&M.
Cowan Jr. checked in at No. 9 on Katz's list, while Smith was ranked 18th overall. The duo leads a Maryland program that has been listed among the top-10 teams in the country by virtually every national publication in early rankings.
A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Cowan Jr. is one of six players in program history with 1,300 points and 400 assists and has started all 99 games since stepping foot in College Park. He currently ranks 23rd in program history in points (1,376) and t-10th in career assists (437).
"With Jalen Smith inside and Anthony Cowan on the perimeter, Maryland has what it takes to challenge Michigan State for the top spot in the Big Ten and a run at a Final Four," Katz said.
Smith started all 33 games in an outstanding rookie season last year, averaging 11.7 point and 6.8 rebounds and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week on three occasions. His five double-doubles were third-most for a freshman in program history and he was particularly impressive on the offensive glass, with 40-percent of his rebounds coming at that end of the court.
"Jalen Smith is ready for the challenge of taking on more responsibility," Katz said. "He will certainly be a potential double-double player for the Terps."
The Terps' non-conference schedule is projected to be announced in the next few weeks. It was announced July 11 that Maryland will face Temple in the opening round of the Orlando Invitational on Nov. 28. The field also includes Marquette, USC and Texas A&M.
