No. 23 Maryland men’s basketball’s rebounding and physicality triumphed in win over Coppin State

No. 23 Maryland men’s basketball exploited Coppin State’s small-ball lineup to cruise past the Eagles on Black Friday, 95-79

The Terps more than tripled the Eagles’ offensive rebound total and dominated in terms of second-chance points. After having pushed the ball in transition effectively in its first five games this season, the Terps only scored two fastbreak points against the Eagles. Instead, they played with physicality inside and remained patient to find the open shot.

Maryland’s full-court press defense gave the Eagles’ skilled ball handlers problems all night, as its defense forced 16 turnovers. 

Guards Sam Sessoms and Nendah Tarke led the way for the Eagles as the two combined for 42 points, but also combined for 11 turnovers.

“We kind of knew we were gonna let [Sessoms] get his a little bit and try to take away some of his kicks,” coach Kevin Willard said. “He’s been passing the basketball at a very high level, so we’re gonna try to let him finish at the rim.”

The Maryland defense has been anchored by forward Julian Reese, who has blossomed into a two-way star. The sophomore notched his second double-double of the season with a career-high 24 points to go with 10 rebounds. It was also Reese’s fourth straight game with two blocks. 

“We knew we had a size advantage and we haven’t shot the ball very good at home,” Willard said. “We shot it well on the road but [Reese] was just a monster. They were loading up the box when he had the ball in the post so it’s an easy way to go get it. And he’s really being aggressive on the offensive glass, he’s consistently on there.” 

Reese made such a big offensive and defensive impact in only 25 minutes.

“Confidence is a key to playing more aggressive on the floor,” Reese said. “Getting into the game you want to bring that intensity up, some people were not bringing it.”

Although the final score may not show it, Coppin State played with an edge and didn’t back down from Maryland’s physicality. The Eagles shot 47.4% from three, the highest mark Maryland’s allowed all season.

Five technical fouls were called throughout the game, which led to plenty of chances for free points on both sides. The Terps won the free-throw battle, as they reached the line 32 times and sank 25 of their chances. 

Three terps reached 20 or more points for the first time in more than 20 years. Reese (24), senior guard Hakim Hart (22) and graduate student guard Jahmir Young (21) all did their damage with their aggression. All three shot from the charity stripe at least seven times.

“These guys play unselfish, they’re not a selfish group, they like to pass the basketball,” Willard said. 

Maryland’s dominant night rebounding the basketball and its above-average defense masked another poor shooting night from beyond the arc.

After shooting lights out at the 2022 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, the Terps only shot 19% from three against Coppin State. However, Willard took the blame himself.

“Not doing a very good job of preparing these guys … we didn’t shoot the basketball well,” Willard said. “Sometimes coaches don’t do good jobs and I didn’t do one today.

Still, Maryland’s rebounding and physicality led the Terps to their 16-point win over Coppin State.