Welcome to my team preview series for 2024-25. Each day between now and the start of the college basketball season, I will preview one team or conference, both on Instagram (@collegehoopsoutlet) and through an article here. The preview will go in-depth on the roster build of the team, my expectations for their upcoming season, and the state of the program under their current head coach.
Maryland (Projected: 9th in B1G)
The Terrapins took a step back in their second season under Kevin Willard, finishing 12th in the Big Ten with an overall record of 16-17. Willard brings back a couple of important players from last season’s team and brought in a lot of talent through the transfer portal. Maryland should be looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament in 2024-25 and have a wide-open Big Ten conference in front of them.
Julian Reese (14 ppg, 10 rpg) headlines the returners for the Terps, a dynamic big man who has started 65 games over the last two seasons. As a senior, Reese now has the chance to lead this team himself and will be crucial to the team’s success in 2024-25. Jordan Geronimo (5 ppg, 4 rpg) returns for the Terrapins, a physical wing and good defender. The final returner in the frontcourt for Maryland is redshirt freshman Braden Pierce (Redshirt).
The Terps bring back a couple of key guards to the roster for 2024-25 as well. DeShawn Harris-Smith (7 ppg, 4 rpg) had a solid freshman season, but will be looking for much more as a sophomore. Harris-Smith shot just 20.2% from three last season, a mark that will have to be much improved if he hopes to breakout this year. Jahari Long (5 ppg) returns as well, giving the backcourt depth some solid experience.
Seven players departed Maryland this offseason, three of whom played big minutes last season. Jahmir Young (20 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg) was a dynamic guard for the Terps, but exhausted his eligibility. Donta Scott (11 ppg, 5 rpg), the pinnacle of Maryland basketball the last five seasons, exhausted his eligibility as well. Jamie Kaiser Jr (4 ppg) rounds out the big-minute guys, transferring to Butler after his freshman year at Maryland. Deeper bench guys Caelum Swanton-Rodger (2 ppg), Noah Batchelor (2 ppg), Jahnathan Lamothe (1 ppg), and Mady Traore (1 ppg) also left the program.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (17 ppg, 4 apg at Belmont) is the headline transfer for Maryland this offseason, coming over after a terrific sophomore year at Belmont. Gillespie has some Jahmir Young in him, a dynamic three-level scorer, a great passer, and a solid defender. Gillespie will need to fill Young’s shoes right away in the crucial point guard position. Gillespie will be the key to this Maryland team unlocking its full potential this season.
The list of incoming transfers continues with Selton Miguel (14 ppg at USF), a veteran guard with elite shooting ability and two years of high-major experience. Miguel should have a place in the backcourt next to Gillespie, giving the Terps two guys who can score at a high level. Rodney Rice (7 ppg at Virginia Tech in 2023), Chance Stephens (6 ppg at LMU in 2023), and Jayhlon Young (2 ppg) at Memphis all transfer into the backcourt as well, contributing to the depth of the roster for the one, two, and three. Tafara Gapare (5 ppg, 4 rpg at Georgia Tech) is the lone frontcourt transfer, a 6-9 New Zealander who was a solid defender for Georgia Tech last season inside.
Kevin Willard found himself a five-star on the recruiting trails this year, landing Baltimore native Derik Queen (5*, NAT 14). Queen is a dominant post scorer and a solid defender and rebounder. He’ll be a more physical guy next to the lanky and athletic Julian Reese. Queen should start and play big minutes as a freshman, likely becoming an NBA Draft pick next summer. Guard Malachi Palmer (3*, NAT 156) is the only other incoming freshman, a guy who may have to wait a year for his turn in the backcourt.
Willard did a great job at getting what he could out of the Seton Hall basketball program, but we haven’t seen him elevate talent at Maryland yet. Year three should be a proving point for his tenure at Maryland, with a squad more than capable of competing in the Big Ten and reaching the NCAA Tournament.
Maryland is very dependent on what their backcourt can become this season. I think the frontcourt duo of Julian Reese and Derik Queen will be one of the best in the Big Ten and could become one of the best in the country. The backcourt is where the question marks may arise, as even if mid-major stars Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Selton Miguel keep their status, those surrounding them are less proven. My X-factor is DeShawn Harris-Smith, a promising recruit who played a great bit his freshman season and was solid. If he can take the next jump in the Terps backcourt, the ceiling for this team rises greatly.
I’ve kind of talked myself into liking this Maryland team and I don’t think it’s out of the picture for them to crack the top five in the Big Ten. That being said, I think there’s still some things to work out in the backcourt and with the depth of the team, so I feel safer slotting them in 9th, though still an NCAA Tournament squad.