Big Ten Network analyst explains why "This Maryland team is dangerous ... They are cooking in College Park"
Big Ten Network analyst Rapheal Davis has been high on Maryland for a while, and the Terps are making him look good. With six wins in their past seven games, they've climbed from the bottom portion of the Big Ten standings to fourth after beating No. 17 Wisconsin this week.
"Big win for Maryland on Wednesday night. Maryland above that first line, which means they would get the double-bye [in the Big Ten Tournament]," Davis said on Thursday.
"Second-ranked win in the last three games. Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, really good once again. I mean, Wisconsin had won eight out of nine. Terps have now won four in a row and when you go ahead and look at the current Big 10 standings, it's Maryland now above that line."
One of the most impressive aspects of Maryland's four-game winning streak has been how the Terps done it in different ways. At then-No. 17 Illinois, they scored the most point paints of any Big Ten team this season. Against Indiana and No. 17 Wisconsin, they posted identical impressive 3-point shooting nights, 14-for-28 from deep in each game.
"This Maryland team is dangerous because they beat you in multiple ways. They make 12 threes one game, they beat you up inside the next, they get into transition the next and score with their defense. They are cooking in College Park. I love what coach Willard is doing," Davis said.
During that run of six wins in seven games, is averaging 18.1 points, six assists and 2.6 steals. Rice, his backcourt mate, has pushed them over the top in close games against the Hoosiers and Badgers, averaging 19.5 points and shooting 8-for-15 from three, including that late game-winner in Bloomington.
"The guard play is the difference, because in college basketball, guards make you go. And Maryland's trio of guards are big time. Ja'Kobi Gillespie, complete point guard. He can knock down a shot, but he can use the ball screen, he can get in the lane, he can make plays. Selton Miguel is a deadeye shooter, catch-and-shoot guy, can come off the screens, can knock it down. Rodney Rice is a bucket, can drive it, can get out in transition, can finish at the rim. So, I love that they all do something different because if one is lacking, someone else can pick them up," Davis said.
More below.
Trent Meachum on why he liked Maryland: "Well, you got three guys in the backcourt playing with great confidence. Can all rise up and make shots. The three of them combined to hit 10 threes [vs. Wisconsin]. They're all shooting it well on the season, so they have a lot of firepower in that backcourt. When you think of Maryland, it's the front court. But that backcourt can really go. I will say, though, I've been really impressed with them defensively. They are so quick at all five positions on the court. The guards will get after you. Queen and Reese can both move their feet. Queen's improving as a defender as a young freshman."
"Man, these guys defended [against Wisconsin], especially that first half when they didn't have it going offensively. The defense did not let up. That was a 40-minute effort on the defensive end and if they can bring that every night, now they have the offense to carry the weight on that end of the floor as well
Davis on the defense: "You look at the second half, they hold Wisconsin at 37 percent from the field and they had two separate kill shots. And what I mean by that is three stops in a row at the end of every college basketball practice in order to get to the locker room, get home, get to dinner. It's one drill that you do. You do your shell drill, which team can get three stops in a row, and there were two separate times in that second half, where Maryland dug in and they achieved it, and it allowed them to get on the break. It allowed them to start their offense, their transition game, was big-time.
Maryland basketball's winning streak is catching attention. But what is it that's made it especially impressive?
Big Ten Network analyst Rapheal Davis has been high on Maryland for a while, and the Terps are making him look good. With six wins in their past seven games, they've climbed from the bottom portion of the Big Ten standings to fourth after beating No. 17 Wisconsin this week.
"Big win for Maryland on Wednesday night. Maryland above that first line, which means they would get the double-bye [in the Big Ten Tournament]," Davis said on Thursday.
"Second-ranked win in the last three games. Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, really good once again. I mean, Wisconsin had won eight out of nine. Terps have now won four in a row and when you go ahead and look at the current Big 10 standings, it's Maryland now above that line."
One of the most impressive aspects of Maryland's four-game winning streak has been how the Terps done it in different ways. At then-No. 17 Illinois, they scored the most point paints of any Big Ten team this season. Against Indiana and No. 17 Wisconsin, they posted identical impressive 3-point shooting nights, 14-for-28 from deep in each game.
"This Maryland team is dangerous because they beat you in multiple ways. They make 12 threes one game, they beat you up inside the next, they get into transition the next and score with their defense. They are cooking in College Park. I love what coach Willard is doing," Davis said.
During that run of six wins in seven games, is averaging 18.1 points, six assists and 2.6 steals. Rice, his backcourt mate, has pushed them over the top in close games against the Hoosiers and Badgers, averaging 19.5 points and shooting 8-for-15 from three, including that late game-winner in Bloomington.
"The guard play is the difference, because in college basketball, guards make you go. And Maryland's trio of guards are big time. Ja'Kobi Gillespie, complete point guard. He can knock down a shot, but he can use the ball screen, he can get in the lane, he can make plays. Selton Miguel is a deadeye shooter, catch-and-shoot guy, can come off the screens, can knock it down. Rodney Rice is a bucket, can drive it, can get out in transition, can finish at the rim. So, I love that they all do something different because if one is lacking, someone else can pick them up," Davis said.
More below.
Trent Meachum on why he liked Maryland: "Well, you got three guys in the backcourt playing with great confidence. Can all rise up and make shots. The three of them combined to hit 10 threes [vs. Wisconsin]. They're all shooting it well on the season, so they have a lot of firepower in that backcourt. When you think of Maryland, it's the front court. But that backcourt can really go. I will say, though, I've been really impressed with them defensively. They are so quick at all five positions on the court. The guards will get after you. Queen and Reese can both move their feet. Queen's improving as a defender as a young freshman."
"Man, these guys defended [against Wisconsin], especially that first half when they didn't have it going offensively. The defense did not let up. That was a 40-minute effort on the defensive end and if they can bring that every night, now they have the offense to carry the weight on that end of the floor as well
Davis on the defense: "You look at the second half, they hold Wisconsin at 37 percent from the field and they had two separate kill shots. And what I mean by that is three stops in a row at the end of every college basketball practice in order to get to the locker room, get home, get to dinner. It's one drill that you do. You do your shell drill, which team can get three stops in a row, and there were two separate times in that second half, where Maryland dug in and they achieved it, and it allowed them to get on the break. It allowed them to start their offense, their transition game, was big-time.
