Maryland head coach Kevin Willard is still waiting for the outgoing attrition to stabilize as the staff has scoured the transfer portal as they begin to rebuild next season's roster. All eyes are on the frontcourt this offseason with Donta Scott expected to move on, but the Terps also lose Patrick Emilien after exhausting his eligibility. So, where does Maryland turn? Enter Robert Jennings. Jennings, a 6-foot-7 sophomore forward out of Texas Tech, hit the portal last month after playing in 30 games with four starts and averaging three points and two rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from the field. Jennings kicked off April by releasing a top five with Utah, Virginia, Texas Tech, St. Louis and Maryland still in the mix as assistant Grant Billmeier is leading the way. Julian Reese, Donta Scott, and Patrick Emilien were anchors for a Maryland basketball that lacked depth in that position. Throughout the season, the experience that Scott and Emilien provided anchored the position group, while Reese continued to develop and shine game in and game out. In Kevin Willard's offense, the big men got their touches in the pick-and-roll action or the post as the Terps looked to get the ball inside to Reese or Scott. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57C2U3Ekfa4 What you notice when you see Jennings on film is his high motor and tenacity on the boards, and his ability to take contact in the post and still make a play. In Texas Tech's season opener against Northwestern State, he recorded six points, four rebounds, and a block. In that game, he moved his defender off of his spot to get open for a layup and took the basketball away from two others fighting for it, and scored. But what Jennings also does well is knock down the midrange shot, an area that Emilien improved on as the season progressed but was still a weakness along Maryland's roster that lacked experienced size. Jennings' one season in Lubbock may not be enough to consider him 'experienced' just yet, but the versatility for a frontcourt piece to find offense outside of the paint would give Maryland another scoring option outside of the paint. He can also be an asset for the Terps on the fast break as the Terps are looking to upgrade their athleticism along the roster. You need guys who are going to run the length of the floor and be ready for the outlet pass to make a play or trail the ball handler to pull up for a jump shot. Against the Louisville Cardinals, Jennings attacked the rim with authority and threw down a nice one-handed slam in transition. Another trait about Jennings that sticks out? He can fill in at the four, meaning he and Julian Reese can be complementary pieces if they're on the floor together. Jennings becomes the first tangible target that Maryland has a chance at landing as they retool the frontcourt, but is he the guy? That remains to be seen with a Zoom call with the staff expected this upcoming week. Related Links Preview: Maryland men's lax opens Big Ten play at home
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