Ready For The Challenge
Kevin Willard and the Maryland men's basketball team have high expectations heading into the 2023-24 season.
Alyssa Muir, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications
10/10/2023
One thing was clear at Big Ten Men’s Basketball Media Day in Minneapolis: Maryland is going to have big contributors across the roster. From two All-Big Ten preseason selections in Jahmir Young and Julian Reese, to a four-year star with 129 games and 114 starts under his belt in Donta Scott, to what head coach Kevin Willard referred to as “the best freshman class” he’s ever had—the Terrapins are stacked across the board.
Last season’s Media Day consisted of a lot of question marks as Willard headed into his first season with a completely revamped roster. How would Jahmir Young handle the leap to the Big Ten? Would Julian Reese be able to take a sophomore jump? How would a roster full of several new faces be able to handle the grind of the Big Ten?
The Terps answered those questions in resounding fashion and then some, as Young solidified himself as one of the best point guards in the nation, Reese earned All-Big Ten honors, and Maryland made it to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. As a result, this year’s Media Day focused on the immense talent the Terps currently employ and what they can do to take that next step both individually and as a program overall.
"Julian is one of those special young men that loves Maryland."@KevinWillard on the development of @Reese10Julian pic.twitter.com/CGa4IhHgyW
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) October 10, 2023
We look like a Big Ten team, where last year we had to really fight to be a Big Ten team. This year we look like a Big Ten team, and I think we can compete at a little bit higher level because of that.Maryland Head Coach Kevin Willard
The first question Willard received at the podium to start the day was about Reese, who represented the Terps in Minneapolis alongside Young, and his development.
“Julian is one of those special young men that loves Maryland,” Willard said. “Obviously, he grew up in Baltimore. I knew he had great potential. I didn't know what his work ethic was like, and Julian has an unbelievable work ethic. I think he just kept working all year, all year, all year, and I think everyone saw the great strides that he took to really become one of the best big men in the league.”
“He went a three-day stretch against Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan against those three big guys,” Willard added later. “He came out of those three games, and he outplayed just about all three of those guys, and I think he got a lot of confidence out of that. That just kind of fueled his fire to keep on working.
Reese, who developed into one of the top big men in the league while averaging 11.4 points (second-most on the team) and leading the Terps with 7.2 rebounds per game, attributed his big jump to both his mindset and work ethic.
“Just taking my time, staying true to the grind and watching a lot of film…I feel like it’s all in the mindset and just attacking. When I’m on the court and attacking ; I feel like I can do anything.”
"It's a great feeling overall."@Reese10Julian on the home atmosphere at XFINITY Center pic.twitter.com/CbvbtCmIi3
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) October 10, 2023
On the Big Ten Network studio set, Young, who finished the 2022-23 season as one of 10 active NCAA players with 1900+ points, 600+ rebounds and 350+ assists, touched on his own growth last year and on silencing the doubters who questioned if his game would translate from Charlotte to the Big Ten.
“I came in trying to make sure I showed people I belonged,” Young said. “I really used (the doubts) as motivation.”
Gallery: Men's Basketball Big Ten Media Day
And though Young and Reese, who made Maryland one of just two schools to have two athletes named to the 10-player preseason All-Big Ten list, got most of the attention in terms of key returners, Willard was sure not to leave out Donta Scott, who has somehow flown under the radar as a fifth-year who currently stands in the top-15 on the program rebounding list and top-30 in all-time scoring.
“I think no one is even talking about Donta, and he is playing at a level where he is in the best shape of his career,” Willard said.
Perhaps the biggest headlines of the day came in terms of the program’s newcomers. First, Willard praised Indiana transfer Jordan Geronimo and the length and athleticism he brings—something the Terps were missing at times last year, especially in Big Ten play.
“He was one of those guys that just was going to be a game-changer for us,” Willard said of Geronimo, who spent three seasons with the Hoosiers for a total of 82 games. “Jordan so far has -- our practices, we haven't practiced longer than an hour and 26 minutes because our practices are so athletic and so physical.”
“I have a lineup with Donta Scott, Jordan Geronimo, Julian, and Mady Traore,” he added. “We are big and physical. Jordan has changed the way we play. He is that good of a player.”
DeShawn Harris-Smith is by far the most talented player, probably the most physically gifted basketball player I've ever been able to coach so far.Maryland Head Coach Kevin Willard
Secondly, Willard offered the highest praise possible to his freshmen class, highlighted by DeShawn Harris-Smith, Jamie Kaiser and Jahnathan Lamothe, calling them the best he’s ever had and specifically pointing to Harris-Smith’s physical gifts and competitiveness.
“DeShawn Harris-Smith is by far the most talented player, probably the most physically gifted basketball player I've ever been able to coach so far,” Willard said.
The praise for Harris-Smith was echoed by his older teammates as Young and Reese both offered rave reviews as well.
“He’s coming in as one of the best freshmen in the country,” Young said. “He's a very physically gifted, very competitive guy. I feel like he’s going to help us a lot and he’s going to help us right away.”
“Just a dawg on the court,” Reese added. “He brings it every game, every practice. Coach has to tune it down a little bit.”
“More than a little bit,” Willard interrupted with a laugh.
"Our freshman class is the best freshman class I've ever had."
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) October 10, 2023
You're going to like them, Terp Nation pic.twitter.com/h6b6JfkjJs
That competitiveness is reflected through every member of this year’s team, leading to highly successful practices that are setting the team up for an even bigger season.
The 2023-24 Maryland men’s basketball team is ready for that challenge.
“Practices have been unbelievable,” Willard said. “We can't go that long because they're so competitive, they're so physical. We look like a Big Ten team, where last year we had to really fight to be a Big Ten team. This year we look like a Big Ten team, and I think we can compete at a little bit higher level because of that.”
