With Jahmir Young (flu) sidelined, Maryland was able to cruise to its 19th consecutive home win after defeating Coppin State, 75-53, on Thursday night. With Jahari Long stepping into his first career start as a Terp, the veteran guard chipped in a career-high 15 points while Julian Reese secured his sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and ten rebounds. Meanwhile, Donta Scott set a new program record with his 142nd career game as a Terp, surpassing both Jake Layman and Juan Dixon, as Maryland held the Eagles to a season-low 18 first-half points. Everything that head coach Kevin Willard, Jahari Long, Julian Reese and DeShawn Harris-Smith said after the win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU8zo0oENl4 Willard on when he knew Jahmir Young wouldn’t be available, “I think Christmas Day I kind of knew. He was, that the travel back from L. A. is tough. The red eye is really, really is tough. He had been struggling with a little bit of a cold before we went out there. His mom called me on Christmas day and said, he's pretty sick. So Christmas day.” Willard on how Jahari Long fared “Obviously Jahmir has been phenomenal. I love Jahmir but I have a lot of confidence in Jahari and it was a good opportunity for him to kind of step in and see what he can do and take advantage of the opportunity. Obviously the COVID year was different, surgery after that, but he's now technically a senior, so he was ready for it.” Willard on whether he tested different lineup combinations or gets through the game “I sort of tried to get through the game as much as anything else. I think if, if this was a November game, I'd probably say yes. But the fact that Jahmir really had started in my opinion, turning the corner offensively from a total control of the game. I'd much rather it was still would have had Jahmir out there.” Willard on what he likes heading into Purdue game “I think that the guys came out very professional. We didn't practice great yesterday, but you never do come with three days off. They didn't look at Coppin as a, they respected them and wanted to come out and play well. So, I think from the biggest thing was just making sure we came out and played the way we wanted to play.” Willard on preparing for Purdue “They’re a lot different than they were last year. I mean, they have three guys coming off the bench that started for them last year. That's unheard of for a team that won the Big Ten. Now they got three starters coming off the bench. So, the guards are much improved. Obviously, everyone knows about Zach, but I'm really impressed with how much the guards have improved just in a year. The pace that they're playing at is much faster than they've played at in the past. And I think that, you know, defensively and rebounding, I think they're a much better team than they were last year. So I think last year, obviously they were a very good team. I think this year, them being the number one ranked team in the country is well deserved.” Willard on his plan for Jahmir Young heading into Purdue “No, I got to get Jahmir going again. Yeah, he's been sick for five days, so he kind of worked out lightly today. We'll get him going lightly tomorrow and hopefully by Saturday, he's practicing back and getting back in the rhythm.” Willard on evaluating Maryland’s non-conference slate “Obviously we didn't get off to a great start, but didn't really bother me. So I like the fact that we rebounded really well, um, took care of business at home, got a road one at UCLA. If we would play that tournament now, I think we'd have a much different result right now than we did the first two games of the year. I think these guys have stayed focused. They haven't lost the fact that this is a long season. Conference play is really what matters most. And I think they've done a good job of staying focused and understanding that it's a long year.” Willard on Jahari Long’s growth at Maryland “I think the biggest thing is his offensive game has gotten much better and I think he's got more confidence in his offensive game. He really is the one guy off the bounce that can beat anybody off the dribble. So I think he's just, I think he's starting to realize the skill he has, the game he has. And the more minutes he gets, I think the more confidence he gets.” Willard on concern with Jahmir Young facing increased defensive focus and trust in supporting cast “They still got deal with Juju down low and I think a lot of our other guys, I think Donta’s really found a good rhythm. The thing about this league is Purdue is going to play the way Purdue plays. Michigan State is going to play the way Michigan State. It has a lot to do with adjusting to their defense, too. Jahmir is one of the best guards in the country so I think he's, every night, been getting that. So, he's ready for it.” Willard on Caelum Swanton-Rodger’s grwoth “He had the hamstring injury that missed, he didn't practice once in October, so he missed the whole month of October. So I think as a big guy, you miss a month and then you try to jump back into games and, I think he struggled early, but I think he's been practicing great. He's starting to get his rhythm back. And I think he's just, he's starting to, he's progressing the way I hope he would.” Long on when he learned he would start and evaluating his performance “I found out that I would be starting yesterday at the practice. Jahmir didn't come to practice because he was sick. So I was just focused on just being confident and leading the team in the right direction.” Reese on how Maryland fared with Jahmir Young “I think we responded well. It’s good sometimes, not really good, but you know, sometimes it's good for other guys to step up and get that confidence, especially heading for conference play and just showing our versatility overall.” Harris-Smith on how he fared on the ball “Knowing Jameer was out, I was gonna have to take more of a point guard role. And then, like, in practice every day, I'm not always on Jahmir’s team. So, I mean, I work on every single day, so I was definitely ready to come in and handle the ball.” Reese on what it takes to beat Purdue “Just playing Maryland basketball. Just getting after it and making it real chippy and just making a good game. And especially playing in front of our home crowd, you know, hopefully we have a good short turnout. You know, everybody coming back. It's going to be a great time and just feed off their energy like we've been doing this last this last year.” Long on his growth over the last two years at Maryland “The main thing I feel like I improved was just my confidence, and the confidence came from me being healthy. So, just improving on my body, making sure I stretch every day, making sure I eat the right stuff, so I could just stay healthy. That was the main improvement.” Reese on Donta Scott’s importance as steady presence in the program “Through the three years, we built that bond and just seeing him grow to the player he is now is a blessing, especially him seeing me and molding me into the player I am now, being a great leader and just showing me the way and he's done a great job of that. Now he's kind of able to sit back, and just let me lead it for a little bit while he leads at the same time. And just as I'm doing that to the same guys below me, younger than me, like Cal, like Deshawn, Jamie, the freshmen and just doing the same thing that those guys did for me when I was in their position.” Harris-Smith on his first Big Ten schedule “I'm definitely excited for Big Ten play. It's one of the reasons I came to Maryland, just because I know of the tough schedule you got to play every single year just during conference play. So I'm definitely excited to go against those great guys, see how I can compare and definitely try to get some wins and be a Big Ten champion.” Harris-Smith on what he’s done in nonconference to build into Big Ten play “Just the more games I play, the more experience I get under my belt, I feel more comfortable out there making the right reads, getting my teammates involved, like just picking my spots, knowing when to score, knowing when to get Ju to ball, knowing when to get Donta to ball. Just out there being a point guard, trying to give everybody, right shots and playing my role.” Reese on evaluating Maryland heading into conference play “I feel like the last couple of games, I kind of been a little rusty, shaking stuff off and just left some points out there, left some rebounds out there. I feel like I could have been better, but I feel like this is a good game, just to build confidence, not only for me, but for the team. Guys getting 15 like and just guys doing everything all around the board. And I feel like it's a great overall team win and good for our confidence and we don't even have our leader.” Related Links
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