Jake Layman To Return For Maryland Terrapins

There was big news for Maryland on Thursday morning when the Athletic Department officially announced that junior forward Jake Layman would be returning for his senior season with the team.

Jake Layman will return for senior season at Maryland. http://t.co/tpeIjHrDlt
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) April 9, 2015

During Layman's career, he has had a significant impact on the team and was a major contributor over the last two seasons.  Just take a look at some of his basic numbers.

[Read more after the break.]

Jake Layman Career Stats	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
%Min	49.60%	78.50%	74.70%
ORTG	102.2	109.7	109.8
eFG%	48.90%	49.80%	54.40%
MPG	19.9	31.8	30.1
PPG	5.5	11.7	12.5
RPG	3.2	5	5.8
APG	0.9	0.9	1.4

  

From his freshman to sophomore season, Layman clearly took a massive step forward, but one could make an argument that he even took a step forward this year as well considering that he scored more, rebounded more, had more assists, and did it more efficiently.  He was a huge boost to a Maryland team that made the NCAA Tournament, finished 2nd in the Big Ten regular season standings, and lost a close game to West Virginia in the Round of 32. 

Most believed that Maryland was going to be a serious Big Ten title contender next season, but with the return of Layman, things look really good.  The Terps now not only have at least one solid guy at every position, but also have a few really good options off the bench.  Just take a look at a potential starting lineup for Maryland.

2015-16 Maryland Projected Lineup:

• PG - Melo Trimble
• SG - Dion Wiley
• SF - Jake Layman
• PF - Robert Carter
• C - Diamond Stone
• Bench: Jaylen Brantley, Jared Nickens, Damonte Dodd

That is not only a rotation that features two proven players in Layman and Trimble, but also guys who have performed at the college level in Carter and Wiley and major talents in Brantley and Stone.  Literally, that is a roster that could be in serious contention for a Big Ten title and a Final Four appearance next season.  

Layman's return to Maryland will not get the attention that other NBA decisions will get, but when fans look back, it could be one of the key decisions that allowed Maryland to put together one of the most talented teams in the roster and prepare for a run at hanging a banner.