Maryland men’s basketball’s elevated preseason expectations were rooted in an increased level of size, athleticism and physicality. For what seemed like the first time this season, the Terps finally dominated an opponent on the interior for a full 40 minutes.
They recorded an outlandish 32 first half free throws and 45 total, comfortably the most they’ve had in a game this season. Coach Kevin Willard’s squad was doing whatever it wanted on the inside, penetrating the rim for shots along the three-point arc or open driving lanes to the hoop.
The Terps recorded season highs in field goal percentage (57.9 percent) and three-point percentage (40 percent) on a night where the open shots finally began to fall.
“It was good to get the ceiling off the rim,” guard Jahmir Young said.
On the other side, Maryland (4-3) controlled the tempo, forcing Rider (1-5) into low-percentage shots or unforced turnovers — including 22 first-half deflections — in a 103-76 win. That recipe allowed the Terps to finish off their three-game homestand with a perfect 3-0 record, a much-needed get-right stretch for a team that was reeling through the first four games of the season.
“I knew we were going to struggle early [in the season],” Willard said. “These guys have put in a great amount of work in practice. So I feel good. I don’t think we’re there yet, I think we still have a lot of work to do, but they’re trending in the right direction.”
Maryland’s offense came out clicking, starting the game 6-for-7 from the field with just one turnover. Jordan Geronimo and Jamie Kaiser Jr. were the early catalysts with six points apiece, giving the Terps a 16-8 lead by the 14:40 mark of the opening period.
“We knew they were gonna play a zone,” Willard said. “… We did a really good job early just getting the ball to the high post,” Willard said. “I think that just helped relax everybody to go against the zone.”
Geronimo continued his coming out party from the South Alabama game after starting the season in an offensive rut. He recorded a team-high 13 first-half points on perfect five-for-five shooting while getting to the free throw line five times.
Kaiser was Willard’s first sub of the game, entering for Donta Scott about three minutes in. He drained two quick threes off assists from fellow freshman DeShawn Harris-Smith, a much-needed confidence boost for the wing who started out his collegiate career 3-for-23 from deep.
The Terps continued to get whatever they wanted offensively, doubling the Broncs’ scoring tally by the 7:38 mark of the first half, 36-18.
That trend continued for the rest of the first half. Maryland finished the period with 32 free throws, more than it had attempted in five out of its first six games of the season. The Terps still struggled to convert on lots of those chances, however, shooting 65.6 from the charity stripe in the opening 20 minutes. 14 points off of 10 Rider turnovers and 24 points in the paint helped them jump out to a 54-27 lead by the conclusion of the first half.
Julian Reese recorded a season-high 17 free throw attempts in just 28 minutes, finishing his night with 22 points and 12 rebounds, his third-straight double-double. The junior forward also recorded four blocks in a dominant defensive effort.
Although Maryland’s defensive intensity dissipated for the majority of the second half — the team allowed 49 second-half points — this game was all but over by the conclusion of the first period when the team led by 27.
The Terps now turn the page to Big Ten play, where they open up the season in Assembly Hall on Friday against Indiana. Despite the rough 1-3 start, Maryland was able to revive its season with this three-game homestand and will look to keep that momentum going into December.
“It definitely means a lot coming off three wins,” Young said. “Just going on the road with a mentality that we’re just trying to build on those wins and really just catch our rhythm. And I feel like we’re doing that now.”
