Maryland Terrapins Taking Big Chance by Adding Rasheed Sulaimon

The Maryland Terrapins figured to be contenders in the Big Ten in 2016, and perhaps nationally as well. And on Monday, the Terps added another player who could contribute to a Final Four run. He could also be the player that breaks the team apart.

Head coach Mark Turgeon announced Monday that Maryland has added Rasheed Sulaimon, formerly of the Duke Blue Devils, as a transfer. Sulaimon will have one year of eligibility for Maryland.

On the surface, this looks like a great addition for Maryland. Sulaimon is an outstanding outside shooter and will join point guard Melo Trimble to form one of the nation’s best guard tandems.

And with forward Jake Layman also returning to school, Maryland immediately has a very talented trio. But the talent doesn’t stop there, as Maryland has also signed big man Diamond Stone and Robert Carter, formerly of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

That starting five will be as good as any in the country heading into next season. So, what’s the problem? It could be Sulaimon.

Duke was in a bit of a funk last season with Sulaimon apparently at the center of some of the team’s dysfunction. Ultimately, head coach Mike Krzyzewski dismissed Sulaimon from the team, and the Blue Devils immediately started playing better.

Soon after that, news emerged that Sulaimon had been involved in sexual assault allegations on the Duke campus. However, no police report was ever filed on the pair of incidents. Yet Krzyzewski still tossed Sulaimon from the team.

There is no doubt that Sulaimon can contribute for Maryland next season. Turgeon and the Terps just hope that he doesn’t become a distraction.

Tim Letcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.