As crazy as it sounds, Maryland has a decent chance of duplicating last season's 12-6 Big Ten record despite having a major overhaul to its roster, particularly losing four of five starters.

Though that sounds a bit ambitious given the influx of several freshmen and the return of sophomore guard Dion Wiley, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, the schedule, which was released by the Big Ten Conference on Monday, should be easier.

A lot depends on the development of the freshmen — in particular point guard Anthony Cowan Jr., shooting guard Kevin Huerter and forward Justin Jackson — as well as when and where the Terps play certain teams.

Based on the opponents for 2016-17, Maryland may have its easiest league schedule in the three seasons since it left the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Consider this: Among those considered the top-tier teams, the Terps will face Michigan State, Indiana and Purdue only at Xfinity Center; they will play Wisconsin only on the road.

And this: Of the five teams the Terps will play home-and-away, three (Illinois, Minnesota and Rutgers) finished at the bottom of the league last season.

A lot will depend on when games are scheduled. Maryland's schedule last season, which was deemed one of the toughest, was made more difficult by the fact that the Terps played late-season games at Purdue and Indiana.

Although Maryland will be going through a rebuilding season after losing Robert Carter Jr., Diamond Stone, Jake Layman and Rasheed Sulaimon, several other Big Ten teams will be, too.

Michigan State, which along with Wisconsin will likely be considered a favorite, has to replace Big Ten Player of the Year Denzel Valentine and should also have four new starters, all of whom might be freshmen.

Indiana has to find a successor to point guard Yogi Ferrell, the team's floor leader for three of his four seasons and the school's all-time assists leader, as well as forward Troy Williams.

Purdue loses the heart of its defense with the departure of center A.J. Hammons and shooting guard Rapheal Davis. Iowa will also have only one full-time starter back: Peter Jok.

Though Maryland might not be able to approach the 14-4 conference record of two years ago when Mark Turgeon was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year, the return of Melo Trimble and what is now a top 10 recruiting class makes finishing 12-6 for a second straight year attainable.

And, unlike last season, Maryland fans would be thrilled with that.

don.markus@baltsun.com

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