Everything that head coach Kevin Willard said after Maryland defeated Bucknell, 91-67:
On Tafara Gapare’s impact vs. Bucknell
“I think, for me, it's getting used to again, putting him out there with the right guys to help him be successful. But I've said it before, he's one of the most frustrating players I've ever coached and it's more of a compliment than it's not because it's kind of what I see in practice a lot. It's just I got to give him a little bit more time to probably be out there and make a difference. But he also has to understand, he's got to come out, he's got to come in and just do what he did tonight. He was aggressive from the start. He came out looking to shoot and he played really well.”
On limiting Bucknell center Noah Williamson
“I hate to say this – you really never worry about big guys… I mean, the only way that that we're going to lose that game is if we get decimated from the three-point line. And they made it a game in the second half because [Ruot Bijiek] really, he made those four threes in a row. So when you have [Julian Reese], Derik [Queen], Braden [Pierce] and those guys go against each other, a guy like Williamson, he's a very good player, talented player, but he's really not going to – you really just don't worry about him.”
On Selton Miguel scoring 13 points in the first half
“I think [Selton] came out aggressive, and again, 18 assists, seven turnovers. I thought we came up again, that first group passed the basketball really well to start the game. He got some open looks and didn't hesitate, knocked him down. So, yeah, that's exactly what I think Selton is.”
On turning 20 Bucknell turnovers into 22 points
“That's the one thing I think we've done a much better job at this year than even the last two years, is, we're forcing a lot of turnovers, but we're also capitalizing on the turnovers which is able for us to get to continue to press on multiple possessions, where last year, we press one every five possessions. Now it's we're getting four possessions in a row. It's going to wear you down. And that's kind of what we're doing a really good job of.”
On the difference in turnovers between last season and this
“We jack them up. I mean, let's be honest. We also jack them up. We're not afraid to put them up, which is okay. Going through last year's, I sat down with an analytical guy last summer or this summer, and pretty much he said, you're better off jacking up a three than a turnover. Turnovers in college are just, they're killers, so you're better off shooting the basketball. A quick three is so much better than a great possession and turning the basketball over. So for us, it's, at times, just getting shots up. You're going to offensive rebound the way we have shooters. So if you're playing that way, you're not going to turn the ball over that as much.”
On whether Willard would’ve preferred quick shots 5-10 years ago
“Probably not as much but I think with all the data now out there, and all the AI that people use and all the stuff that's available to you as a coach, you'd be a fool not to use it. And it's amazing the amount of data that is available to you. I mean, it's mind boggling. From lineup analysis – when I go upstairs, I'll have on my desk our lineup analysis, our plays, shot charts, and then – I mean anything I want I can have it. I just I can see who plays well together. I can go when Rodney and Ja’Kobi are out there what's the best lineup? And it will actually tell us what the best lineup with Rodney and Ja’Kobi is. It'll tell the best lineup – now, I might not always believe it, or might not feel it during the game, but I definitely believe you have to use it.”
On having a game where defensive intensity matches offensive intensity
“I think that's – converting on turnovers has been big, and I think that's given us a chance. I think we were in the 90s, 100, 108 – we've been able to score because we've been able to convert from our turnovers.”
On the change of pace in the first half compared to Villanova
“I thought our energy was really good in the Villanova game. I just think offensively against ‘Nova, we kind of came out in the ball, we didn't pass the basketball enough in the first half. I thought our defensive test was actually pretty good. [Eric]Dixon just played out of his mind. They came out in a 2-3 zone and we always just kind of pop it around a little bit, get some open shots to kind of get everybody going. But I thought our intensity on Sunday was great. Our execution wasn't very good.”
On Jordan Geronimo’s status
“He's progressing. I have no idea. It’s a hamstring injury so hopefully we get him back sooner rather than later, but the way, he hasn't practiced in almost ten days, so probably going to be a while.”
On how happy Willard has been with the way Maryland has won in non-conference
“Marquette, Nova, we had to work. No, I like the fact that we're coming out, and I like the way we're coming out and trying to be aggressive from the start. I mean, I think that's more important than anything. Like the reason we scheduled Bucknell is they had the date. Not too many people could play on this Wednesday. But also, they play a lot like Iowa. They pop the ball. They have bigs that can shoot it. They play with good tempo. They play a lot of zone. So a lot of scheduling is, we have to balance the dates out with the women. We have to balance the dates out with finals. You have to find guys that you can actually play. But at the same time, this a good Bucknell team. When I watched them on film earlier in the year, I was like woof. When they get their point guard back this, they're going to be really, really good.”
On whether Willard wants to see any player step up in Geronimo’s absence
“That's just a team effort.”
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