In the months leading up to the 2017-’18 college basketball season, BT Powerhouse will be releasing a new series called the 'BTPowerhouse 25,' which features the Top 25 players in the Big Ten as voted by members of the staff. All players set to be on Big Ten rosters for next season were eligible during the staff vote with their top selection receiving 25 points and their 25th and final selection receiving 1 point.

In a robustly strong 2016 class, Kevin Huerter becomes the second Maryland Terrapin from that group to crack our Top 25. Huerter’s blend of size and skill puts him at number 20 on our list. That is two spots ahead of his backcourt partner Anthony Cowan.

‘BTPowerhouse 25’ #20 Kevin Huerter:

• Eligibility: Sophomore
• Career Totals: 33 games, 971 minutes, 307 points, 163 rebounds, 88 assists
• 2016-’17 Averages: 29.4 minutes, 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1 steal
• Positional Role: Shooting Guard

In a 2016-’17 campaign dominated by Melo Trimble headlines, the Terps 2016 recruiting class flew under the radar. This is a class that features Huerter, Cowan, and Justin Jackson. Now, the class has the opportunity to shine on its own as they try to make their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. Last year’s loss in the First Round to Xavier is sure to be a motivating factor for Huerter and Maryland.

Player Strengths

The consistent bullet point on Huerter’s scouting report is his abilities as a shooter. Without a doubt, that is his greatest strength as a player. He was second on the team in total three-pointers attempted last season. Huerter also led the team in total three-pointers made with 65. By the end of the season, he shot 37 percent from deep, a decent clip, but given the volume of threes he takes, it is actually quite respectable.

On top of his three-point threat capability, Huerter is an extremely efficient player. When he was inside the arc in 2016-’17, he shot a spectacular 51 percent from the field. Much of this has to do with his smarts on the floor and his size, which for a shooting guard is above average. Huerter’s 6-foot-7 frame allows him to get off shots easier in the face of a usually shorter defender.

Area for Improvement

However, Huerter’s wiry frame can be to his detriment. Listed at only 190 pounds, he is incredibly slim for how tall he is. We see this quite often in college basketball, Michigan’s Moritz Wagner comes to mind as an example.

This can become a weakness for a player as it often leads to hesitation when going to the basket. In Huerter’s case, this hesitation comes from a lack of strength and physicality. It is less likely for Huerter to attack the basket and overpower his smaller defender if there is an imposing force down low waiting to get rough with him. This avoidance towards contact at the basket could become an issue.

Obviously, being a slasher is not Huerter’s role and a lack of aggressiveness will not totally hinder his success. So far, he has put on roughly 15 pounds in his time at Maryland and he will continue to put weight on. That is an encouraging sign in Huerter’s journey to becoming a more complete player.

Player Projection

Kevin Huerter plays a vital role in Maryland’s impending prosperity on the floor this year. Much of the offense last year ran through Melo Trimble, but this season will be entirely different. Huerter, along with the other Terrapins will see an increased role and will be counted upon more offensively. He has the tools and talent to become a primary contributor and breakout player for Mark Turgeon in 2017-’18.

‘BT Powerhouse 25’ Rankings:

• #26-31 - Players That Just Missed The Cut
• #24 - Juwan Morgan (Indiana Hoosiers)
• #24 - Dakota Mathias (Purdue Boilermakers)
• #23 - Jordan Bohannon (Iowa Hawkeyes)
• #22 - Anthony Cowan (Maryland Terrapins)
• #21 - Reggie Lynch (Minnesota Golden Gophers)
• #20 - Kevin Huerter (Maryland Terrapins)
• #19 - to be continued...