Coach Kevin Willard is coming off of a pretty successful first season as head coach. This year, he plans to take his team even further.
As is tradition, CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Follow along with #CBBRank on all our social media channels.
Although they were knocked out by Alabama early in the NCAA Tournament, Maryland exceeded expectations with last season’s game play. A perfect 10-0 conference record at home, five Top-25 victories and a Top-25 ranked status throughout the season is something to be proud of.
Coach Willard has scored big with some DMV area recruits to give the Terrapins some depth, while also hitting the transfer portal to seek talent. The bar from last season is set high, but some believe that Willard and company will be able to perform even better.
Click here to learn more about our preseason top 100 teams heading into the 2023-24 college basketball season.
Head coach: Kevin Willard (2nd season)
2022-23 record: 23-13 (11-9)
2023 postseason finish: Lost to Alabama, 51-73, in NCAA Tournament Round of 64
Notable departures: Hakim Hart (Transferred to Villanova), Don Carey (Graduated)
Notable non-conference games: at Villanova (Nov. 17), at UCLA (Dec. 22)
Projected Rotation
PG: Jahmir Young (6-2, 185, Gr.-Sr.)
2022-23 stats: 15.8 PPG, 3.1 APG, 4.6 RPG, 41.5 FG%
SG: DeShawn Harris-Smith (6-5, 215, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 27 rated recruit
SF: Jordan Geronimo (6-6, 225, Rs-Jr.)
2022-23 stats: 4.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.3 APG, 54.8 FG% (Indiana)
PF: Donta Scott (6-7, 225, Gr.-Sr.)
2022-23 stats: 11.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 39.1 FG%
C: Julian Reese (6-9, 230, Jr.)
2022-23 stats: 11.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 63.2 FG%
6: Jahri Long (6-5, 210, Sr.)
2022-23 stats: 2.1 PPG, 1.0 APG, 40.6 FG%
7: Jamie Kaiser Jr. (6-6, 205, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 75 rated recruit
8: Noah Batchelor (6-6, 185, So.)
2022-23 stats: 1.6 PPG, 1.2 RPG
9: Caelum Swanton-Rodger (6-11, 220, So.)
2022-23 stats: 0.8 PPG, 70.0 FG%
Maryland Terrapins MVP: Jahmir Young
Last season Jahmir Young was by far the best player on this Maryland Terrapins team. Coming from Charlotte, Young was the leading scorer averaging 15.8 PPG. His shooting was most impressive when up against Big 10 teams, scoring a season high of 30 points against Ohio State and 26 points against Michigan. This and more earned him a spot on the All-Big 10 Preseason Team.
Young, alongside Coach Willard, transformed the Terrapins men’s basketball program by clawing their way past high caliber teams and setting milestones throughout the season. Look to Young to be this team’s leader with a year at College Park under his belt. This season will be his last playing college basketball, and he will probably want to leave it all on the court with no regrets.
Maryland Terrapins make-or-break player: Donta Scott
Donta Scott had a great season last year, putting up numbers on both offense and defense. He had two double-doubles, 20 double-digit point performances and tallied some blocks along the way. However, another big man on the Maryland squad has grown into a force down low.
The numbers that Julian Reese put up last season were phenomenal, so much so he made the All-Big 10 Preseason Team. This season, he’s expected to only improve, leaving less of an opportunity for Scott to make his final mark as a Terrapin. If Scott can match the energy of Reese, the post players on this team will wreak havoc on all those who challenge them. If not, Scott could fade away while Reese shines.
Key analytic: First half points
It’s hard to find a stat where Maryland hasn’t beat their opponent. When it comes to scoring however, Maryland seemed to consistently come out a little slower than who they were up against.
While the Terrapins were able to outscore their opponents in the second half, it might be too late when playing a team who stays on the ball for the entirety of the game. Coming back from behind won’t always lead you to victory. If Maryland is able to play two complete halves of basketball, this team might find their way to the top of the Big 10.
Maryland Terrapins 2023-24 projections
Projected conference finish: 5th in Big 10
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament – Elite Eight exit