Maryland basketball a frequent pick in way-too-early rankings for 2024-25

Maryland men’s basketball fans watched March Madness from the sidelines this year after the program missed on the NCAA Tournament for the second time over the last three seasons. Kevin Willard will head into his third season as head coach with more pressure than many initially expected after a lackluster year two and ending 16-17 (7-13) after a 31-point loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament.

Willard didn’t waste much time in the portal, pouncing on two of the top available guards within the first ten days of the transfer portal. In addition to the signing of transfer guards Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice, Willard added arguably his biggest offseason win after Julian Reese finalized his return for senior year, along with five-star center Derik Queen making his commitment official next week. With Willard and the staff filling key needs along the roster in short order, Willard finds himself in similar standing as last offseason as Maryland is a frequent selection in the way-too-early top-25 rankings for the 2024-25 season.

Field of 68: 17^th
Sports Illustrated: 18^th
Yahoo: 19th
ESPN: 20^th
The Athletic: 20^th
FOX Sports: 23^rd
Rothstein 45: 42^nd

Maryland men’s basketball is a common pick in the first way-too-early rankings for the 2024-25 season:

🐢 Field of 68: 17th
🐢 SI: 18th
🐢 The Athletic: 20th
🐢 ESPN: 20th
🐢 FOX Sports: 23rd

— Inside the Black & Gold (@Insideblackgold) April 9, 2024

Along with the former St. Frances big men teaming back up in College Park with a pair of portal guards to refuel the backcourt, Maryland will also return Jordan Geronimo in a rotational role for his fifth season while DeShawn Harris-Smith is expected to be back to complement the new guards. With Mady Traore, Chance Stephens and Braden Pierce all back for their second season with the program, Willard still has two available scholarships to work with to restock the roster after watching four players depart this offseason.

While the departure of Jamie Kaiser Jr. leaves a current void at the wing, Willard is looking to infuse more potential scoring into the roster with UC-San Diego guard Bryce Pope slated to visit this upcoming weekend, one of two visits currently planned. Whether the staff looks to add another wing or stretch four with the final scholarship remains to be seen, but as for Maryland’s cautiously optimistic preseason outlook, Willard will need to prove it as fans look for the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.

Via SI:

The Terps were a disappointment in 2023–24, but could bounce back quickly thanks to some splashy additions to this roster. Five-star big Derik Queen teaming up with returner Julian Reese could make for one of the most imposing front lines in the country, though spacing could be a concern. Kevin Willard also reeled in a big fish to replace Jahmir Young at point guard, landing Belmont Bruins transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie over a slew of other high-major suitors.

Via ESPN:

Another team that underachieved relative to preseason expectations. But Kevin Willard will trot out a revamped starting group in November. Julian Reese announced he’s returning and former top-50 recruit DeShawn Harris-Smith will be expected to improve. Then there are the newcomers. Willard has already landed transfer guards Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Belmont) and Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech) and is bringing in top-10 recruit Derik Queen, who could be the fulcrum of the offense.

Via The Athletic:

Maryland struggled this past season, but the Terrapins bring an infusion of big-time talent to the table across the positional spectrum. The first name to know here is Queen, a high-IQ, big-bodied big man who can score on the block and pass at a really impressive level. His soft hands allow him to catch just about everything, and his footwork and touch are pristine even if he’s not overly vertical. Pairing him with Reese will give the Terps one of the best interior combinations in the league. Reese projects as an All-Big Ten forward next year after averaging 13.7 points and 9.5 rebounds this past season.

via Yahoo:

The Terps are bringing in two huge transfers in Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice, and they’ve got a huge five-star center in Derik Queen coming in, too. Kevin Willard’s group could make real noise in the Big Ten next season.

Maryland basketball a frequent pick in way-too-early rankings for 2024-25

Ahmed Ghafir