2022-23 ITH Season Preview: Maryland Terrapins

With the beginning of school basketball season on the horizon, we’ll take a look at the convention at massive and Indiana’s roster over the subsequent month.

At the moment, our crew previews proceed with Maryland.

Beforehand: Northwestern, Nebraska, Penn State

The Mark Turgeon period in Faculty Park ended final December with a resignation. After a 5-3 begin, Turgeon stepped down from his put up.

“After a number of in-depth conversations with (athletic director) Damon [Evans], I’ve determined that the most effective factor for Maryland basketball, myself and my household is to step down, efficient instantly,” Turgeon stated in an announcement. “I’ve at all times preached that Maryland basketball is greater than anyone particular person. My departure will allow a brand new voice to information the crew shifting ahead.”

That new voice was Danny Manning, who discovered little success in an interim function. Maryland completed final season with a loss to Michigan State within the Massive Ten match and a 15-17 document. Eleven days later, Maryland introduced the hiring of Kevin Willard.

The 47-year-old Willard arrives within the Massive Ten after compiling a 270-210 document over 15 seasons at Iona and Seton Corridor. At Seton Corridor – the place he spent 12 seasons – Willard by no means reached the second weekend of the NCAA match.

At Maryland, the expectations will probably be lofty. The fanbase expects to compete for convention championships and deep match runs yearly. Yr one will possible be a transition marketing campaign for this system, however the items exist for an NCAA match look.

The highest returnees for Maryland are seniors Hakim Hart and Donta Scott. Hart, a 6-foot-8 wing, averaged 9.9 factors final season on 33 % 3-point taking pictures. Scott is the crew’s main returning scorer and one of many convention’s higher frontcourt gamers. At 6-foot-8, he can bully smaller defenders within the put up or step out on the perimeter in opposition to slower bigs. Scott averaged 12.6 factors and 6.2 rebounds a season in the past, however his 3-point taking pictures proportion took a tumble. After connecting at only a 44 % clip as a sophomore, Scott made solely 29.1 % of his 3s final season.

Maryland misplaced a pair of beginning guards in Fatts Russell and Eric Ayala, however added a pair of transfers who could possibly be ample replacements.

Charlotte switch Jahmir Younger arrives after averaging 19.6 factors, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals for the 49ers. The 6-foot-1 senior guard is a profession 83.2 % free throw shooter. A giant a part of his recreation is attending to the road as he’s taken 398 makes an attempt from the road over three seasons in Convention USA.

Georgetown switch Donald Carey averaged 13.5 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals final season for the Hoyas. At 6-foot-5, he has the prototypical measurement for a two-guard in school and is a profession 39 % 3-point shooter.

Sophomore Julian Reese might want to take a significant step ahead within the Maryland frontcourt to assist take a few of the strain off of Scott. The No. 60 participant within the 2021 class, in accordance with the 247Composite, the 6-foot-9 Reese has upside. He averaged 5.7 factors, 4.4 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per recreation as a freshman however must get stronger to compete within the put up within the Massive Ten.

Depth is a priority for Willard throughout the roster. Within the backcourt, search for Seton Corridor switch Jahari Lengthy and returnee Ian Martinez to be the first reserves. Neither play is as confirmed as Younger and Carey, however each have excessive main expertise.

Ike Cornish ought to determine into the rotation on the wing after redshirting final season. The 6-foot-6 ahead because the No. 116 recruit within the 2021 class. Freshman Noah Batchelor might additionally get a glance on the wing as his main energy popping out of highschool is perimeter taking pictures. The 6-foot-6 ahead was a three-star recruit.

Saint Francis (N.Y.) switch Patrick Emilien will possible backup Reese and Scott. He averaged 12.5 factors and 6.2 rebounds, however at 6-foot-7, is undersized for a put up participant within the Massive Ten.

Backside line: Willard is taking part in with home cash this season as expectations are low in Faculty Park. If the Terps attain the NCAA match, it is going to be a significant success. And if the crew solely reaches the NIT (or worse), followers will stay up for future seasons the place recruiting is off to a stable begin. Maryland already has three commitments within the 2023 class, together with a pair of prime 60 gamers in Jamie Kaiser Jr. and DeShawn Harris-Smith. If Willard can get environment friendly manufacturing from Carey and Younger, Maryland will probably be a harmful crew, significantly on the XFinity Heart.

Quotable: “I’ve an thought how we will play. We’ll need to play small at instances, and we’re going to play sooner and press extra. The factor is simply form of seeing how a lot — it’s enjoyable to say you’re going to play quick, however we’ll need to see the fact. We’re actually centered on controlling tempo, particularly in convention play in opposition to some larger groups. We wish to push the tempo, get their bigs to protect us on the perimeter.” – Willard to Blue Ribbon Faculty Basketball Yearbook.

Filed to: 2022-23 Massive Ten preview, Maryland Terrapins