Thanksgiving is right around corner – so on Thursday when you’re chowing down on turkey, cranberry sauce and pie, make sure to take a moment to be thankful for everything that make Maryland athletics special.

Melo Trimble

Perhaps more than anyone or anything else in Maryland sports, we should be thankful for Melo.

In Mark Turgeon’s first three seasons in College Park, Maryland failed to make the NCAA Tournament and the program looked like it would need a long time to rebound after Gary Williams’ departure.

But then a McDonald’s All-American from Upper Marlboro joined the program. As a freshman, Trimble helped lead Maryland to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010; he followed that up with Maryland’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2003 as a sophomore.

We’re also thankful Melo decided to return to school for his junior season. Based on what we’ve seen from Maryland’s three games against Division I competition, his poise and leadership is very much needed for this year’s team.

The freshmen

For both football and men’s basketball, freshmen have made us more optimistic about the future.

When it comes to football, Maryland quarterbacks Tyrrell Pigrome and Max Bortenschlager have both had meaningful playing time on offense while people like Tino Ellis have stood out on the defense. And we can hardly forget everyone’s favorite Australian punter and, um, more mature freshman, Wade Lees.

Meanwhile, basketball already has a trio of freshmen who have made an instant impression: Anthony Cowan, Kevin Huerter and Justin Jackson. Cowan is averaging more than 10 points per game, Huerter delivered a game-winning block against Georgetown, and Justin Jackson is absurdly hitting 60 percent of his threes.

Unbeaten basketball teams

Maryland’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are yet to lose a game this year.

The men’s team has had its fair share of close calls, needing a frantic comeback to beat Georgetown and only earning narrow victories over Towson and American.

On the other hand, the women’s team has dominated their competition, scoring at least 95 points in all four of their competitive games and holding their opponents to 52.75 points per game.

Kevin Plank

Kevin Plank’s impact can be found in all parts of Maryland athletics. As the founder and CEO of Under Armour, Plank has made sure his alma mater is always decked out for every sport, from practice to competition. For men’s basketball, the Terps recently busted out fresh throwback uniforms from the 1970s, while football added a sharp all-red uniform earlier this month.

In addition to using his company to keep his school teams looking like tens, Plank has donated 25 million dollars to Maryland’s impressive renovations to Cole Field House.

Rutgers University

We’re not actually thankful for them. We’re just thankful we’re not them.