It’s been evident that while Maryland has had success on the offensive end through the first three games, the defense has been a welcomed sight as it once again propelled the Terps to a win inside the Xfinity Center, this time a 24-point win over Binghamton.
“I feel like defense is a really important part of the game. Especially for us on nights like this when we’re not shooting a ball as well. I feel like we can fall back on that and use that as fuel to do other things as an offense as well,” Julian Reese added following the win. Maryland’s defense helped set the tone early after jumping out to an 8-0 lead two minutes into the game. “I think we’ve come out with really good defensive intensity,” Willard said afterward. “I think, again, these guys are sticking to what we want to do. From a gameplan standpoint, I think they’ve been really good. I think we set the tone early in games with our defensive intensity, so I’ve been really pleased.” Donta Scott sees him and his teammates settling into the Willard way.
“We really all kind of locking into what he has in store for us,” Donta Scott added. “Nobody’s been fighting back or any other things that we’ve been doing. Everybody’s been kind of bought into like all the things he’s been trying to have us do. Like going up on press, being more physical, being more active and everybody’s been buying in so it’s been really good and that’s actually been helping our team a lot to just try to get into the play style that he likes.”
Maryland once again flashed different defenses to help disrupt their opponents’ flow and on Tuesday night, it worked once more. Binghamton finished with 15 turnovers, including nine in the first half, and shot just 34.4%. For Maryland, it was Julian Reese who once again led the way with a game-high 19 points while Hakim Hart put together his most complete game through the first week and change of the season.
“I gotta get him involved a little bit more and try to get him the ball and get him involved a little bit more ‘cause I think that it’s good for us,” Willard added of Hart. “He’s such a good passer but I think it’s really good for him.” As for his star forward, Reese
In a game that Maryland comfortably led and stretched the lead to as many as 32 in the second half, Willard was once again able to lean on his bench as they chimed in 20 points, led by nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from Ike Cornish. Patrick Emilien’s production went beyond the stat sheet despite being one of three players to register a block, while Arnaud Revaz and Caelum Swanton-Rodger helped close out the game. Willard’s perspective on his bench hasn’t changed yet.
“I think the whole bench really was solid. It’s tough playing. That first unit has come out with great defensive intensity, so I’ve kept them in there a little bit longer but I thought the whole bench really played well.”
The biggest concern? Maryland’s three-point shooting. After shooting 2-of-19 against Western Carolina, Maryland didn’t fare much better on Tuesday night as the team shot 4-of-20 with Noah Batchelor ending the streak of five consecutive misses midway through the first half.
“I’m starting to get a little worried, to be honest with you. Our issue is that they all can shoot the basketball,” Willard added. “And so we’re unfortunately settling every once in a while. When you have great cheers, they think they can make every shot. And I think we’re settling a little bit for the first shot and I think that’s just a little bit of early season jitters, early season offense.”
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