Putnam Science Academy (Conn.) 2018 four-star shooting guard Eric Ayala is perhaps more familiar with head coach Mark Turgeon and his team than most other Terps targets.

TERPS INSIDER message board | SHOP NOW: DEALS on TERPS apparel | LIKE us on FACEBOOK

That’s because the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Delaware native has already attended three Maryland games (Saint Peter’s, Oklahoma State and Ohio State) this season alone, not to mention several others in previous years. Ayala was home to see his family recently while PSA was closed because of snow, and while not too far up I-95 from College Park, he decided to pay Turgeon and the Terps a visit for their win Feb. 11 over Ohio State.

“They’re not that far from my house so I just happened to make my way there,” Ayala told TSR.

But it’s not as much Ayala’s presence at Maryland’s 21st win that should be noted. It’s what he took away from watching the Terps win a Big Ten battle that could play a “key” role in his recruitment.