On Monday before election Tuesday, I was driving down a back road and a large bird came into my right-side vision suddenly. I thought it was going to hit me. Suddenly the bird pulled up and did a 180 right in front of me. The bird than gracefully flew away and flapped a wing as if almost saying hi. It was an American Bald Eagle...

Tall order today out in Eugene as the Terps take on the No. 1 team in the land, the Oregon Ducks.

Maryland wearing slick new white uniforms with iridescent logos. Hopefully look good, play good is the thing today.

RIP to Bentley’s owner John Brown, who passed away earlier today.

If there was a Mount Rushmore of Terp fans, he’d be on it.

He was also the Chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority at one point in the late 90s, early 2000s.

He will be missed.

Maryland Basketball: A Queen Question, a backup's big energy and Rodney Rice on his role​

Kevin Willard and his players go behind the scenes of Rice's monstrous performance, Derik Queen's limp and more.​

After he drilled back-to-back threes during his torrid late first-half scoring spree, Rodney Rice Jr. had a brief talk with his coach, Kevin Willard's message to the sophomore guard was simple. What did he tell Rice?

"Just basically, let it go," Rice said (video) afterward. "Keep letting it go."

Simple yet solid advice.

Playing his second game in a Terps uniform, Rice exploded for 26 first-half points en route to a career-high 28 in Maryland's 86-52 win over Mount St. Mary's on Friday night at Xfinity Center.

"This is the way Rod's been playing for the last two or three weeks in practice and it's the way he played the other night, to be honest with you, when he came in the second half and kind of did the same thing. He's got a great knack to score, he knows how to core and he's been working hard. So he's playing well," Willard said (video) after his team became the first Maryland squad in 10 years to win its first two games by 30 or more points.

And the Terps (2-0) did it without getting a lot of cheap buckets from Derik Queen (eight points, three assists, two steals) and Julian Reese (nine points, 10 rebounds) against a smaller frontcourt.

"If we're knocking down threes consistently like that," Rice said, "they can't double Ju or Derik when we throw it in there."

Willard on Maryland's slow start​

Last year, Maryland beat Mount. St. Mary's by 15 in the opener and then lost to Davidson and UAB in the next two games. It was quickly clear it might be a long season. Spoiler: it was.
This year, even during a frigid start that saw the visitors take a 10-2 lead three minutes into the game, Willard is more confident in his team.
"I think the biggest difference is I probably would have called timeouts last year. And this year, I understand that coming off the bench, we are going to have guys that can really pick us up coming off the bench defensively and offensively ... You got two big guys out there that are eventually going to get the ball. Something good is going to happen. So I think there was just, you know, teams are going to come in and they're going to give you their best shot the first five to 10 minutes and we weathered the storm. And then we kind of imposed our will," he said.

On Gillespie

"I think he's still trying to figure a lot of stuff out. Which is a good thing. I think he's trying to figure out you, you know, 'I'm playing with two really talented big guys. When do I pass them? When do I shoot it?' So I think we're just starting to see a little bit of what how good Ja'Kobi can be it's. I think everyone's still trying to figure out a little bit, like, when do I shoot, when do I not shoot? What I do like is, though, everyone's defensive energy has been really good to start the season and the opportunistic play

On playing Reese and Queen together​

"I haven't figured that out yet, to be honest with you. I don't like not having Derik or Juju in the game. It just it hasn't worked so far. They do really well when Jordan or Tafara with one of the big guys, not that they're not playing good. And we're definitely going to continue to do it but yeah, I'm not happy with -- when they're both out of the game, I just think I'm giving the other team a free pass."

On Tafara Gapare's big energy off the bench (four steals in 16 minutes)​

"Absolutely, Tafara is going to be one of those guys. I love having Tafara. He's so talented, he gets his hands on so many loose balls and deflections. Again. he's a legit 6-10, 6-11. He just has, he has said, it's kind of weird, he has kind of short arms. But he's definitely going to see more time."

On Selton Miguel​

"We practiced Wednesday he looked better, and we didn't really practice Thursday. So I think he just needs a couple more. Again, Selton is one of those guys that, he's played at, this is his third school. Everyone's got to take a deep breath and just kind of realize it's going to take him a little bit of time to figure it out. There's times when he thinks he's still playing a whole different style. So in the new era of the transfer portal ... You got to take a deep breath every once in a while, realize you're going to make a mistake just because of the fact that sometimes your reflexes are going to go back to something that you did for 36 games last year. And now I'm asking you to do something totally different. So I'm not worried about Selton."
Maryland Football Scoop: The Real Deal on Malik Washington | Recruiting Upgrade | Portal Talk

On no one playing more than 23 minutes​

"I think the biggest thing, as I look at the numbers, I think the highest [number of minutes was], Ja'Kobi played 23 and Ju played 23. I think in a long run for Ju, Ja'Kobi all those all these guys getting experience playing against guys that are going after them, showing them different looks is great. But at the same time, not putting a lot of mileage on guys this time of yea. I think will pay dividends for all those guys when they do have to put a lot of mileage on come December

On his team's defensive versatility​

"I do think the fact that we can play two different styles within the game, I thought Tafara and Jordan came in with energy and we switched up our pick-and-roll defense, and we went from drop to pretty much trapping and rotating instead of just drop with Ju and DQ. So I think within the game, when Ja'Kobi takes a break, you bring Jay in, so you don't really get a break. Jay's just as good a defender as Ja'Kobi, so I think we're a little bit more athletic in the fact that we can uh play technically three different pick-and-roll defenses in the same half. I think it really helps us."

Rice, asked if he wants to be a starter​

"It's just coach's game plan. I mean, we're going to stick with and we're just going to execute regardless as a team."
Rice on Queen's outlet pass for him for a breakaway and-one: "He's a very good passer. Ball went in the air, hit the court, I just went after it. The defender wasn't going to get there before me. I was just determined to finish the play."
Rice on feeling comfortable after a long time without playing in games: "Knocking the rust off and just staying with it, being consistent every day in practice, just playing hard as well. It felt good to be out there
Rice on the bench bringing energy: "Yeah, when we need it, that's what we're going to do. That's what we going to come in and do. We're going to play with energy and assert ourselves."

More Willard and players​

Willard, asked if Derik Queen was limping as he walked off the court after the game: "I have no comment on that."
Willard on Rice and Gillespie's outside shooting: "When Ja'Kobi and Rodney are out here together, it's two guys that can really shoot it and score.
Gillespie on the slow start: "We responded really well and then our bench players came in and kind of helped us turn it around and bring more energy. Cause we came out flat, so I feel like we responded well.

Miguel is IN starting lineup, good to see after spraining ankle in practice earlier in the week and only playing 15 scoreless minutes - none in 2nd half - vs Manhattan.

The five-star freshman put up the first 20/20 game for a Terp since Joe Smith in his debut.​

Derik Queen's most impressive play on Monday was arguably the most subtle. It wasn't the and-one euro step layup, or the three offensive rebounds he snagged.

At the 6:16 minute mark in the first half, Queen collected a defensive rebound and spotted his frontcourt partner Julian Reese streaking down the court. Queen calmly took two dribbles and flung a perfect pass to Reese for a layup.

The freshman scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in his debut. It was a historic debut performance, as Queen became the first freshman in Maryland history to record a 20-20.

MDSports watched every Queen basket to gather what skills will translate to tougher competition and how Queen's game fit in the Maryland offense.

The Plays​

Rebounding pic.twitter.com/qIBiiEkxsZ
— Sam Jane (@sam_jane230) November 7, 2024

Click to expand...

Queen's first two baskets were an example of his sheer size and physicality. Stacked up against a Manhattan team with only two defenders standing 6 ' 9 or above, Queen grabbed multiple offensive rebounds on Monday.
‌
He should be an effective option on the glass along with Reese, as Queen's rebounding was praised at Montverde. His second basket was more translatable than the first as he attacked off the dribble from the top of the key, before following his missed layup with a put-back.

I would expect Queen to grab at least two offensive rebounds a game, due to his height and wingspan and a potentially leaky perimeter shooting team.

"I just had to go out there and rebound, play how I usually play," Queen said.

Passing pic.twitter.com/gOLwGiC4Dk
— Sam Jane (@sam_jane230) November 7, 2024

Click to expand...

The passing is the least noticeable thing about Queen, but it's maybe the most important aspect to the Terps offense.

His passing gravity, which forces defenders to stay at home on perimeter shootings, is needed in Maryland's offense. Because Queen plays alongside Reese, the Terps need as much spacing as they can get; that doesn't just include shooting.

Queen threw two nice passes on Monday, including the deep pass down the floor to Reese. Former national championship coach Gary Williams said that's a rare pass for a big man to make.

Derik Queen post scoring pic.twitter.com/7U7UXhOuiZ
— Sam Jane (@sam_jane230) November 7, 2024

Click to expand...

Big men are often lauded for their crafty footwork, or a smooth finishing touch in the paint. But coaches often say that the most critical step in post offense is establishing position before a player touches the ball. Queen looked like he understood that in his first game. The freshman planted himself in the paint and had to take less than two dribbles inside. Queen's adept at finishing with both hands, which forces defenders to guard him straight up.

"We wanted to get the ball inside. We knew the size, we had a really big size advantage. We didn't do a good job of getting the ball inside in the first half," coach Kevin Willard said. "Again, when you have really talented players, certain guys can take over games. I think Derik, we got a good steal, he got a big dunk. He's a talented player. Sometimes, [you] just get gotta get out of his way."

His right shoulder is his dominant side, though, which showed up on two baskets. Queen simply overpowered the Manhattan defenders and finished through them. He'll likely have to be craftier against Big Ten opponents, but if he's matched up with a smaller big man, the baskets will come in waves.

Host on B1G Tailgate show, Mike Hall, just predicted Oregon scores more today than they have all year....which means at least 50.

LET'S GO TERPS!!

Maryland Football Scoop: The Real Deal on Malik Washington | Recruiting Upgrade | Portal Talk​

What's the vibe inside the team as Maryland football arrives on the West Coast to play No. 1 Oregon? What's the deal on those Malik Washington rumors? Where do things stand with recruiting and which change is expected to help? Here's the scoop:​

What's the vibe inside the team as Maryland football arrives on the West Coast to play No. 1 Oregon? What's the deal on those Malik Washington rumors? Where do things stand with recruiting and which change is expected to help? Here's the scoop:

Despite a deflating past month, I'm told the team has stayed positive and together. That' a change from when Mike Locksley first took over, when there weren't as many high character kids in the program.

"The team is in a good place. No quit, no factions," a source said.


Of course, that's not a big silver lining to fans when the team is struggling. Poor offensive line play, a slow pash rush and a porous secondary have been daggers for Maryland, which is a 25.5-point underdog at No. 1 Oregon. Barring an enormous upset tomorrow, they'll need to win two of the remaining three games. Barring a similarly big upset at Penn State, that likely means Iowa and Rutgers.

The best news right now is that Maryland's highly regarded 2025 recruiting class has remained intact and it's likely to stay that way. Don't believe any rumors about Malik Washington and Michigan or any other school. He's fully locked in with Locksley and isn't entertaining any suitors. I understand that past disappointments can make fans pessimistic, but Washington's commitment is rock-solid.

The same seems to go for others like Jaylen Gilchrist and Iverson Howard. I only say "seems" because this is college football in the portal and NIL era; they've bought into Locksley's vision and plan to be Terps. Maryland's NIL funding remains a limitation, but I'm told that's expected to improve this offseason.

Looking ahead, I'd expect Edwards to remain the starter next year and work with Washington in a one-year apprenticeship scenario, though the competition will be open as always.

There's always a chance you could lose a guy for NIL or other reasons because that's how it works in college football, especially when you don't have exorbitant cash for NIL. That limited Maryland's ability to bring in big-time offensive linemen, the most highly valued position in the portal, last offseason. The staff believes the big group of players at that position will turn the unit around, with tackle Terez Davis and center Michael Hershey two of the top building blocks.

Also on the offensive line, Damian Wroblewski has taken over after Locksley parted with Brian Braswell a month ago. In addition to being a highly respected coach and developer, he's also seen as a major recruiting upgrade at the offensive line spot, which is a key recruiting position. He recruited many of those James Madison players who are starring for Indiana this season. Braswell did a solid job of developing. Expect to hear his name a lot when recruiting heats up again.

Looking forward a month or so, I expect receiver to be the top priority, alongside cornerback and offensive line. That could mean flipping a receiver, adding a couple from the portal or both. Maryland is losing two of its best players in Tai Felton and Kaden Prather and there's a lack of proven options behind them, though Octavian Smith has been emerging and there's still confidence Shaleak Knotts will become a playmaker. He has as many natural gifts as any of their receivers but has needed some extra time to get comfortable in the system. But clearly, major reinforcements are need.

Rice has 26 in the first half. Maryland all-time record is 44

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Why the F does Willy not start him the second half and see if we have history in the making?

Be nice to have a coach who has a knowledge and respect for Maryland bball history.

Only reason we stayed for the second half on a Friday night up by 32 was to see what might happen...but Willy cancelled that excitement and opportunity!

Great job.

annual flameout! Down 2-0 at half on then heals of losing 3 in a row. Another promising year seems to be petering out.

Mark

Maryland Basketball Scoop: Recruiting Intel | Early Derik Queen Buzz | Team Game​

There was some great (Derik Queen's dazzling debut), some good (encouraging performances by the transfers) and some bad (more poor shooting) in Maryland basketball's 79-49 win over Manhattan. Is Derik Queen a one-and-done? What's the latest in recruiting? Here's the scoop on that and more.​

There was some great (Derik Queen's dazzling debut), some good (encouraging performances by the transfers) and some bad (more poor shooting) in Maryland basketball's 79-49 win over Manhattan. How will the guard rotation take shape? What's the early talk from scouts on Derik Queen as a one-and-done? What's the latest in recruiting? Here's the scoop:

No one inside the program was surprised by Queen's monstrous opening night, when he became the program's first freshman to go for 20 and 20. If you followed along here all summer, you knew Queen's excellence was easily the most consistent buzz for months. He won't put up those numbers against Big Ten teams, but it's always been possible he could be the team's best player.

If Julian Reese performs like the version of himself that piles double-doubles automatically, Maryland's post-game will be ferocious. Whether it was his first real college game action alongside Queen, or just an off night, Reese never looked comfortable on Monday, playing 20 minutes and taking five shots. Fouls contributed to that lack of playing time, but Willard will continue to work on the physical chemistry and remain mindful of other dynamics. To make it clear, I've heard nothing of any ego issues at play. But in most cases, when you bring in a freshman at the same position, who's immediately taking the headlines, you have to massage the senior's mindset.

Similarly, Willard will need to balance the individual goals of his guards because they're all in stages of their careers when players are to boost their names. I expect more minutes to go to whoever among them most consistently plays an unselfish team game.

He's gone out of his way to praise Reese in the media throughout his career, viewing him as the most program's most valuable centerpiece Which he's been. Based on the coach's comments after the opener, it's clear he still prefers to have them plays a chunk of their minutes separately so one of them is always in the game. After frigid 3-point shooting made last season feel a year long and with an elite combo under the basket, and needing a successful season to right the ship, Willard's math makes sense. If Maryland has one

He's also been open that it's a work in progress tailoring the best lineup and playing style when they're in together. That could contribute to the minutes talk. But the season is newborn. Too early to guess, but that could be the most impactful storyline to follow this season. My son has turned me into a Minnesota Timberwolves fan, so I'm going to wedge a Wolves analogy in: two-big lineups have been disappearing for years.

If they can mirror what the Wolves did last year with twin towers Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns -- Reese taking the Gobert role as a menace under the basket, Queen playing more face-up like KAT, attacking -- it would be hard to fail. If you squinted during their first game together, you could see the potential for mismatches and good shots coming off of the dribble handoff. But for that to be fully efficient, Queen will need to prove his solid-looking set-shot from three is at least good enough to command a close-out.


Use the pulldown here to select an NIL jersey with your favorite Terps player's name on it. FREE shipping!

Several NBA scouts were at the opener to watch Queen. The consensus remains that he's super-skilled, smart and efficient, but his lack of big-time athleticism hurts. It has many labeling him a two-and-done, coming back for a second season to continue chiseling his body and developing his game. That would be an enormous development for Maryland if the right pieces are added around him and the top performers stick around.

Looking at the roster, the combo of Jordan Geronimo and Tafara Gapare might be good enough to provide an adequate patch at the four this year, but they need a tall slasher-shooter type. Don't be surprised if Malachi

Again, though, way early on that and crazy things happen, like Kevin Huerter taking a flier on the combine with zero intentions to declare, then impressing, bouncing and being drafted 19th.

I've checked back with a few sources on Chance Mallory and I still don't like Maryland's chances. He's returned to the market at a stage of the recruiting cycle when high school point guards good enough to help immediately are rare. Combine that with the NIL market roughly doubling in the past year or so, and Mallory is a prized commodity who will likely command more than Maryland can offer.

The story remains the same: schools like Maryland without robust donor funds will continue to hope that impending revenue-sharing will help. But collectives will still continue to use fundraising to offer money on top of any official paychecks. We'll have Turtle NIL Director Harry Geller next Wednesday for an update on the NIL situation at Maryland and nationally.

Much of the recruiting focus will wait for the portal, but Maryland has been making inroads with some good 2026 high school prospects. We'll have updates soon.







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2-0

Off a Miguel assist, then Queen added another hoop so scored 1st 4 for MD

BALTIMORE – Led by a balanced scoring effort, No. 18 Maryland women's basketball defeated UMBC, 74-32, in an in-state matchup on Monday at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena to tip off the 2024-25 season. The Terps have now won 16 consecutive season openers dating back to the 2009-10 season.

In her Maryland debut, Christina Dalce posted a team-best 13 points with 10 rebounds for a double-double. It was her 16th career double-double and first as a Terp. Fellow transfers Sarah Te-Biasu netted eight points and four boards, and Kaylene Smikle chipped in with seven points and three rebounds. Overall, the Terps scored 43 points from newcomers.

Preseason All-Big Ten honoree Shyanne Sellers had an all-around game for Maryland with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Allie Kubek added 11 points and eight rebounds.




Breaking Down The Action

• VCU transfer Sarah Te-Biasu scored Maryalnd's first points of the season on a layup. Allie Kubek then knocked down a 3-pointer, and Kaylene Smikle scored her first points as a Terp as Maryalnd led 7-2 at the first timeout.
• Maryland extended its lead to 10 points with 28 seconds to go in the first quarter after Te-Biasu scored another layup. The Terps led 18-8.
• The Terps entered halftime with a balanced scoring effort and led 33-22. Shyanne Sellers (9), Te-Biasu (8), Kubek (7) and Smikle (7) were Maryland's leading scorers.
• Maryland outscored UMBC 17-7 in the third quarter, limiting UMBC to just 2-of-12 from the floor.
• The fourth quarter was more of the same as the Terps outscored the Retrievers, 24-3 in holding UMBC to just 1-of-8 (12.5%) from the floor.

Double-Figure Factors

• Shyanne Sellers scored 12 points, recording her 68th career game in double figures. Her last double-digit scoring performance occurred in the first round of the NCAA Tournament when she scored 19 against Iowa State on March 22.
• Allie Kubek scored 11 points and earned her 49th career game in double figures. Her last double-digit scoring performance occurred in the first round of the NCAA Tournament when she scored 29 against Iowa State on March 22.
• Christina Dalce provided 13 points for her 25th career game in double figures. It was her first for the Terps after transferring from Villanova.

Sellers On The Charts

• Shyanne Sellers is 31st on the program's all-time scoring list, with 1243. She's nearing Belinda Pearman (1981-84), who scored 1,284.
• The point guard is also 15th on the all-time assists list with 398. She's nearing 14th place Marcia Richardson (1982-84) with 406 and 13th place Subrena Rivers (1986-90) with 406.

Terp Debuts

• Seven Terps debuted in the game, including six transfers and one freshman.
• Transfers Sarah Te-Biasu, Kaylene Smikle, Saylor Poffenbarger, Mir McLean, Christina Dalce and Amari DeBerry debuted in a Maryland uniform.
• Freshman Ava McKennie made her collegiate debut.

Numbers To Know

• 3: Three Terps scored in double-figures.
• 7: Seven Terps made their debut in the game.
• 13: The Terp are 13-0 all-time against UMBC.
• 16: The Terps have won 16 consecutive season openers.
• 16: Christina Dalce posted her 16th double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
• 18: Maryland is ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches preseason polls.
• 41: Maryland outscored UMBC 41-10 in the second half.
• 43: The Terps scored 43 points from their newcomers.

Up Next

• Maryland will host Coppin State at XFINITY Center on Nov. 7 for another in-state matchup. The Game will tip-off at 6 p.m. and be streamed on Big Ten Plus.

Derrick Coleman due to Queen’s superior rebounding ability!! As a reminder, Coleman is 4th all-time in Division 1 in total rebounds in post-1973 era when hoops divisions were split into I, II, and III. Both are lefties, both are 6-10, have similar physiques as well as Queen 246 pounds and Coleman 240, and both highly effective low post scorers with exceptional hands! They also exhibit similar body language when they move and they run the court about the same too. And they have the same first name though spelled differently! Good omens and good company!

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland-Rutgers football game, set to be played at SECU Stadium on November 16, will kickoff at 6 p.m. and be broadcast on FS1, it was announced on Monday.

It will be Military Appreciation Day as the Terps and Scarlet Knights meet for the 11th straight season. Maryland is 7-3 against Rutgers as members of the Big Ten, including wins in each of the last three meetings.

This week, Maryland travels to No. 1 Oregon, while Rutgers hosts Minnesota.

The Terps will also have some notable hoops visitors today, also. I already mentioned they will host Sidwell Friends' Acaden Lewis. They are also expected to host Gonzaga's Nyk Lewis along with teammate Christian Gurdak.

Finally, they are also expected to host Bullis 7-footer Eric Riebe, who just picked up a Kansas offer yesterday. Riebe is quickly becoming one of the hottest recruits in the class.

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At UMBC on ESPN+ at 7:00. It was announced Friday 2 players would redshirt this season:

6-3 junior forward Isi Ozzy-Momodu
-JUCO transfer/3rd team JUCO AA
-16.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 73% fgs in 23 games last season
-still recovering from torn ACL in February

6-2 freshman forward Breanna Williams

Brenda has a lot of depth on paper to afford these redshirts but if healthy Isi likely would have contributed a lot to the team.

Rutgers transfer Kaylene Smikle starred in both of Terps 2 scrimmages, was leading scorer in both games for Terps had 24 points & 8 rebounds in last game and 21 & 4 in the other. Was 2nd team All-B1G last season and made B1G All-Freshman team the year before. 17.3 career ppg over 1st 2 seasons.

Is healthy now - has recently recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery in preseason & has BIG opportunity now with Chris Godwin out for the year and Mike Evans currently sidelined with a hamstring injury until likely week 11. Rak returned to the lineup after only 1 week of practice last week and had 3 catches (on 3 targets) for 58 yards (19.3 average) with a long of 20 yards vs Atlanta. If you are looking for him on tv tonight he is #18. Bucs will probably be trailing big tonight (Chiefs favored by 9) so TB will probably be in heavy pass mode to try and catch up creating more chances for Rak.

Flipped over to the Soccer game vs. aOSU (ended up losing 2-1) at halftime of the Redskins-Giants game and saw that Sasho wasn't coaching the team today.

No mention of a Red Card to Sasho in the Rutgers game write-up and when I checked back in on the game, no mention as to why he wasn't coaching the team today.

So what was the deal?

Think it was 23 1/2 at Draft Kings, but it might have been 24 1/2. Either way, it should be an easy game.

After one-year absence, Maryland basketball has one weapon organized and ready to roll​

The Terps are ready to unleash it on the Big Ten again.​

Kevin Willard's full-court press was a staple during his inaugural season coaching Maryland basketball. It worked well, helping the team force 12 turnovers per game.

Last year it all but disappeared because in order to press, you need the other team to be inbounding the ball. The Terps didn't make enough shots to make that happen.

The Terps' havoc defense was relegated to a man-to-man, which was still strong but didn't generate easy transition baskets. It's not that Willard suddenly didn't want to press. He just lacked the offense to do it.

"It was hard to press last year because we were just so bad offensively," Willard said. "We could never really get it in a good rhythm."

A pressing defense is most effective after made baskets, when the defense is given extra time to set up its attack. It's a style that some coaches, like Grand Canyon's Bryce Drew or former West Virginia coach Bob Huggins, have adopted as their staple.

Other players aren't used to that style of defense, though. The Terps are one of few Big Ten teams who use a press, which can make them a wildcard to play against.

"It was definitely tough at first learning it, but I feel like we're getting a lot better at it, forcing some turnovers in practice," Belmont guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie said. "And then hopefully versus Manhattan, we force a lot of turnovers."

The press typically works best when the point guard is an elite defender. Willard searched for that skill in the portal and found Gillespie. The coaching staff expects the Belmont transfer to be as good or better defensively than former Maryland guard Jahmir Young, who averaged more than a steal per game. Gillespie and sophomore DeShawn Harris-Smith, whose long wingspan and physical build make him a prototypical top-line defender, will be at the top of the press.

"I feel like [Willard] always has a great defensive team. I feel like it's not gonna stop this year," Harris-Smith said.

Maryland Basketball Recruiting Scoop: A quick development for the Terps

Transfer Selton Miguel and freshman Derik Queen will play in the second line of the defense behind the guards. That's a big adjustment for Queen, whose conditioning was a question mark in high school. He's worked hard on shaping his body for the upcoming season, though, and has surprised Willard with his mobility.

"Derik's learned the backside of the press really well. That was the only kind of concern I had," Willard said. "He's long on the back [part of the defense]. He's got a good feel for where to go. So that hasn't been as much of an issue as I thought it was going to be."

If Queen's mobility translates, the Terps press should be successful. Nearly the entire rotation is filled with long-armed, versatile defenders who can cause havoc for opposing backcourts.

Willard's teams have played strong defense through his first two seasons. A historically poor offense sunk the Terps tournament hopes last season. Maryland's hoping a return to baseline will allow for them to play their attacking style of defense that Willard strives for.

"We're going to come out and get back right to it, as long as we can score the basketball," Willard said.


by Taboola
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