Maryland men’s basketball makes statement with resounding 95-67 win over Saint Louis

With Maryland males’s basketball already holding a double-digit lead within the first half and seeking to cement an emphatic first-half efficiency in its first actual check of the season, Maryland ahead Julian Reese stuffed Saint Louis guard Yuri Collins’ layup try.

Guard Don Carey pushed the ball in transition earlier than delivering a move to backcourt counterpart Jahmir Younger on the precise wing. Younger let it go from deep, the ball hovering within the air earlier than dropping within the backside of the online to provide Maryland a 15-point lead.

Sequences like that had been plentiful Saturday afternoon in Uncasville, Connecticut, as Maryland placed on a clinic on either side of the ground en path to a dominant 95-67 win over Saint Louis.

A balanced scoring assault helped the Terps leap out to an early lead as 5 gamers scored double-digit factors with Donta Scott main the best way with a profession excessive 25 factors.

With the win, Maryland advances to the Basketball Corridor of Fame Tip Off Traditional championship sport on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Terps will play the winner of the Windfall-Miami sport later Saturday afternoon.

It was all Maryland via the primary 4 minutes of Saturday’s matinee. It began with constantly powerful defensive sequences that featured full-court man-to-man protection, stopping Saint Louis from discovering any offensive rhythm.

The powerful defensive stand the place Maryland held Saint Louis with out a level for over three minutes led to an 8-0 run that gave the Terps an early 10-2 lead, punctuated by an and-one three from Carey.

Maryland entered Saturday’s contest taking pictures 25% from 3-point vary, starting to fret head coach Kevin Willard, he admitted. Whereas expressing some concern, Willard additionally acknowledged there are good shooters on his roster and the issue was they had been taking “rushed,” as a substitute of in-rhythm, threes.

For the Terps to knock off a crew that averages 88 factors per sport, enhancing its 3-point proportion was important.

Main the best way in Maryland’s taking pictures woes was Carey, Maryland’s two-guard who is taken into account a sharp-shooter. Within the first three video games, he made simply two threes on 14 makes an attempt. In Maryland’s first half away from house this season, Carey eclipsed his season complete in threes, nailing 4 within the first half for a season-high 12 factors. He completed with 16.

After its emphatic begin, Maryland by no means let Saint Louis catch it, answering each Billiken punch with a 3 or fast-break bucket on the opposite finish.

A ten-0 run later within the half widened the hole between the Terps and the Billikens.

Mix the sharp-shooting from distance with Maryland’s unmatched defensive depth and the Terps’ first half was by far the perfect of the season given the competitors.

Whether or not it was Jahmir Younger leaping within the passing lane for a steal, Julian Reese blocking a shot on the rim, or the complete Terps protection rotating in sync, Maryland’s defensive prowess was a factor of magnificence within the first half.

Maryland entered the break with a 51-27 lead whereas taking pictures 47% from three and holding the Billikens to 25% taking pictures from the sphere. Maryland compelled Saint Louis into eight turnovers within the half.

Maryland’s depth did not waver within the second half because the Terps continued to contest pictures at a excessive price and push the ball in transition.

An evenly-matched second half favored the Terps, who already held a 20-plus level lead. There was nothing Saint Louis may draw up that the Terps weren’t ready for.

Willard performed his starters for a lot of the second half, regardless of the massive lead. Scott’s versatility was on full show, however Ian Martinez impressed off the bench with a season-high 14 factors.

Three issues to know

1. Maryland did not simply move its first check, it aced it. Maryland performed some weak competitors in its first three video games, and whereas it took care of enterprise — successful all of them by no less than 20 factors — there wasn’t loads to remove from these video games. Nevertheless, in its first actual check of the season, a sport during which Maryland was an underdog, it placed on a clinic. This weekend was going to inform followers loads about this iteration of Maryland basketball, and with one sport within the books, there’s loads for Maryland followers to be comfortable about. Now, Maryland has its second sport of a back-to-back on Sunday at 1 p.m. when it faces the winner of Miami vs. Windfall.

2. Maryland’s 3-point taking pictures woes aren’t any extra. It took Don Carey a number of video games to settle into his new crew, however his stroke was as marketed on Saturday. He drained 4 threes on 10 makes an attempt. But it surely wasn’t simply him raining it in from lengthy vary, Maryland as a crew shot 41% from three. Scott, Hart and Younger mixed for 5 threes.

3. Maryland’s stars confirmed out. For the primary time all season, Maryland’s stars showcased why they’re simply that: the celebrities of this Maryland crew. Previous to Saturday, every starter had their second in separate video games, however to have the dominant efficiency Maryland had towards Saint Louis, everybody wanted to chip in. Scott, Hart, Carey, Younger and Martinez all reached double figures Saturday, with Scott main the best way with 25 and Hart contributing 16. Julian Reese’s numbers do not stand out within the field rating, however he made a big impact defensively, and rebounded it effectively.