Maryland Terrapins

2023-24 Result: 16-17 (7-13 Big 10)

Key Additions

Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Belmont)

Selton Miguel (South Florida)

Derik Queen

Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech)

Kevin Willard had to replace nearly 32 points and 10 rebounds per game from Donta Scott and Jahmir Young last season. Young was a ball-dominant leader for the Terrapins, so the offense will look a little bit different this season. Julian Reese, the Terrapins second leading scorer from a year ago is back for his senior season. Willard was able to land two solid guards in Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Selton Miguel, as well as 4-star recruit and 16th ranked player in the recruiting class, Derik Queen, from Montverde Academy. Rodney Rice is another good bench addition in the backcourt, despite his shooting numbers not being anything to get too excited about. Maryland appears primed for another average season in the BIG 10.

Defensively, Maryland should be solid again. They were 24th in the country last year in points allowed per game. A big part of that was their offensive pace, but that is how Kevin Willard’s teams have played. They play a physical style of basketball that turns games very ugly and forces teams to win by scoring in the low 60s. The frontcourt should be the strength of their defense with Reese, Queen, and Geronimo, as long as they can stay out of foul trouble. The backcourt should be a bit more disruptive this season with Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Selton Miguel who combined for nearly 3.5 steals per game last year. Combine that with playing in a Kevin Willard defense, and they could be even more effective. Overall, it will likely be the defense of the Terrapins that stands out because their offensive efficiency and pace is unlikely to pick up with their current roster makeup.

As previously mentioned, Maryland lost its go-to scoring option in Jahmir Young, so they will turn to Gillespie and Miguel in the backcourt, and ask a lot more of Julian Reese in the frontcourt. Freshman Derik Queen will be able to contribute on the offensive end more than the defensive end, and as a big man who can shoot the ball at a decent clip, he will help to space the floor since teams have to honor that in his game. The biggest issue with the Terrapin offense is its outside shooting. Outside of Gillespie and Miguel, there are not any other guards or wings that shoot the three at a high enough percentage to truly respect it. This will prove detrimental to them as defenses will pack it in on them and make life on Julian Reese, Geronimo, and Queen difficult. Maryland might shoot it a little bit better this season, but overall, their offense has not taken a big enough leap to be a real threat in the BIG 10.

Kevin Willard’s squad appears to be headed for another middle of the pack finish in the BIG 10. They do not have the shooting necessary to compete at a high level, and while their defense has been good, it is too difficult to rely solely on that when you labor to score the basketball. Expect Maryland to be solid and compete, especially at home, but come up short of the NCAA Tournament this season.