Maryland men’s basketball throttles Coppin State, 75-53, to conclude non-conference play

With a big clash against No. 1 Purdue looming on Tuesday, it would have been easy for Maryland men’s basketball to overlook a Coppin State team that ranked No. 361 of 362 teams in KenPom.

That wasn’t the case on Thursday. Maryland (9-4) dominated from start to finish, defeating Coppin State (1-13), 75-53, in College Park to put a bow on its non-conference slate.

The Eagles scored on their first two possessions of the game to take an early 4-0 lead, but it was all Terps from that point on. Maryland went on a 28-5 run after the first minute and took a 20-point lead into the half. The Terps’ lead stretched as large as 28 points.

Maryland stifled a Coppin State offense that holds the worst offense in the country, in terms of KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency. The Eagles shot just 36.4 percent from the field and committed 14 turnovers — their 53 points matched the lowest scored by a Terps opponent this season. The Eagles went nearly eight minutes without a point through the middle of the first half during their dismal offensive showing.

“I think the guys came out very professional,” coach Kevin Willard said. “They respected [Coppin State] and wanted to come out and play well.”

Maryland wasn’t without offensive struggles of its own – the Terps shot just 6-for-22 from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 12 times. Some of their offensive droughts that have become a common theme were present on Thursday, even against weaker competition.

Julian Reese had all sorts of trouble on the offensive end in the previous two games, shooting a combined 3-for-15 from the field and 4-for-17 from the free throw line. But the junior dominated a smaller opponent in Coppin State, scoring a team-high 18 points on a 9-for-13 performance from the field. Reese also grabbed 10 boards and blocked three shots.

“I felt like the last couple of games … I left some points out there, left some rebounds out there, felt like I could have been better,” Reese said. “I felt like this was a good game to build confidence, not only for me but for the team.”

Getting Reese into a rhythm ahead of a matchup with reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey will be crucial for the Terps’ hopes against the Boilermakers.

Maryland was without star guard Jahmir Young, who scored a career-high 37 points in last week’s win over UCLA, due to illness. Jahari Long replaced Young in the starting lineup and scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting in his first start as a Terp.

“I found out that I would be starting yesterday after practice. Jahmir didn’t come to practice because he was sick,” Long said. “I was just focused on being confident and leading the team in the right direction.”

Reese and Long weren’t the only Terps to score in double figures, as Donta Scott did so in a history-making game. Scott donned a Maryland uniform for the 142nd time on Thursday, moving into first place in program history in games played. The fifth-year senior scored 12 points — his third straight game in double figures.

“Seeing [Scott] grow into the player he is now is just a blessing,” Reese said. “Especially him molding me into the player I am now, being a great leader and just showing me the way.”

Willard unleashed his full roster on Thursday – nine players logged at least 15 minutes and every active player saw the court.

The victory over Coppin State is Maryland’s fifth straight, its eighth in its last nine games and its 19th straight at home. The Terps will turn to a conference-only slate at the turn of the calendar year, beginning with the nation’s top-ranked team.