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.
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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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