Everything head coach Kevin Willard said after Maryland moved to 23-7 (13-6) following a 71-65 win at Michigan:
On having a response to Michigan’s run in the second half
“I think, you know, there was so much talk earlier in the year. We lost a close one to Purdue, lost two tough ones out west, lost a buzzer beater, and then, you know, the negativity. I'm really proud of these guys because they blocked out all that negativity. So to start 0-4 on the road, to stay positive, to stay with everything, and now end up 5-5 in this conference. More than anything, I'm just so proud of that group of guys because it could have been easy to let all that negativity, let all that talk deter them. And I think they showed the grit from the Michigan State halfcourt shot to go on the road at Penn State and win a tough game, and then come here and win a tough game. These kids deserve a lot of credit.”
On Jordan Geronimo’s impact off the bench, filling in with Julian Reese battling foul trouble
“Jordan's energy - I think Jordan’s energy over the last three games have been great. He's a senior. He's taken advantage of the opportunity. And it was, you know, it's funny because Jordan got hurt and Tafara [Gapare] took over and was really playing well. Then Tafara get sick and misses 12 days and Jordan has stepped up. Jordan's energy was terrific. Defensively, he was all over the place. Again, there's just not a lot of shots for the bench guys because we have five starters that need shots. So for them to come in and play with that energy was great.”
On the second half execution from the starters vs. Michigan
“[It’s] kind of simple. If you're going to switch with Derik Queen, then you're going to put in the guard on them, then you should not overcomplicate it. And [that’s] pretty much what we did. We ran some things from Rodney [Rice] to get Rodney the ball. I thought Rodney really had a great second half. Ja’Kobi was struggling a little bit but I love the fact that he had five assists, was really passing the basketball. But if you're going to switch your guard onto Derik Queen, you really shouldn't do anything else besides just post him up at the elbow and try to let him go to work and get fouled.”
On the late game free-throws vs. Michigan
“A little bit like what happened at Ohio State. We missed six free throws at Ohio State. So I mean, for us to sit there and again, I mean, it's kind of funny. It's March, whatever it is, you know, 19th conference game - it's going to be a grind. And for these guys to go through again, so many of these guys are going through this for the first time of the pressure, the ranking, people talking about double buys and NCAA Tournament stuff. So these guys, mentally have really stayed strong.”
On senior day vs. Northwestern
“For all these seniors. I look at Jordan's, been with me two years. You look at a guy like Selton and Jayhlon who've given up their last year to come play for you, it's very special. And obviously, for Julian, I think our fans need to get to the arena early. It's a three o'clock Saturday game. There's no reason why everybody can't be in there early. Julian, he went through a coaching change. He goes through a really tough year last year. Most people bail. He stayed true to the University of Maryland. He stay true to the Terps. He deserves an unbelievable ovation because of he showed what loyalty is all about. He shows what character is all about and not only that, but he's been a hell of a player.”
That's the funny thing about - it's probably the one thing I hate about the transfer rule more than anything - is I don't think kids understand in the future, what are you going to call home? Where are you going to go back and get love and come home and you know, obviously [Julian] is Baltimore but [Julian] is the University of Maryland through and through.”
Related Links
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube