Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series: Maryland Primed For Growth in Willard's Second Year

In our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, we'll break down what each team lost and gained this offseason, then provide analysis on the team's outlook for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Next up, we'll discuss Coach Kevin Willard entering his second season at Maryland with an All-Big Ten duo of Jahmir Young and Julian Reese, which puts the Terrapins in good shape to improve.

The Kevin Willard era at Maryland got off to a solid start in 2022-23, finishing sixth place in the Big Ten and reaching the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 as a No. 8 seed. 

The Terrapins lost a few major contributors, but are primed for improvement with an All-Big Ten duo in Jahmir Young and Julian Reese.

In our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, we'll break down what each team lost and gained this offseason, then provide analysis on the team's outlook for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Let's take a look at the Terrapins.

(rankings per On3 Industry Average)

What they lost

• Pro/no eligibility: G Don Carey, F Patrick Emilien
• Transfer portal: G Hakim Hart (Villanova), G Ian Martinez (Utah State), G Ike Cornish (Ohio), F Arnaud Revaz (Weber State), F Pavlo Dziuba (High Point) 
• By the numbers: Maryland lost second-leading scorer Hakim Hart (11.4 ppg), starting guard Don Carey (7.4 ppg) and its top two bench contributors, Ian Martinez (5.7 ppg) and Patrick Emilien (2.8 ppg). Cornish, Revaz and Dziuba each played less than five minutes per game.

What they gained

• Transfer portal: G Chance Stephens (6.0 ppg at Loyola Marymount), F Jordan Geronimo (4.2 ppg Indiana), F Mady Traoré (1.4 ppg at New Mexico State)
• Freshmen: G DeShawn Harris-Smith (No. 35), SG Jamie Kaiser (No. 75), SG Jahnathan Lamothe (No. 137), C Braden Pierce (No. 280)

Roster

• Jahmir Young, 6-foot-1, senior
• Jahari Long, 6-foot-5 senior guard
• Donta Scott, 6-foot-8 senior forward
• Jordan Geronimo, 6-foot-6 senior forward
• Julian Reese, 6-foot-9 junior forward
• Noah Batchelor, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard/forward
• Caelum Swanton-Rodger, 6-foot-11 sophomore center
• Chance Stephens, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard
• Mady Traore, 6-foot-11 sophomore forward
• Jamie Kaiser, 6-foot-6 freshman guard/forward
• DeShawn Harris-Smith, 6-foot-5 freshman guard
• Braden Pierce, 7-foot freshman center
• Jahnathan Lamothe, 6-foot-4 freshman guard
• Scholarships available: 0

Maryland Terrapins head coach Kevin Willard talks to guard Jahmir Young (1) during the second half at Legacy Arena / Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Biggest concerns

Maryland lost veteran starters Hakim Hart (11.4 ppg) and Don Carey (7.4 ppg), who played major minutes on the wings last year. Hart and Carey led Maryland starters in 3-point percentage, and their departure creates some concern for a team that finished 8th in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (32.8) and 10th in total 3-pointers made (233). Maryland won't have a shortage of replacement options, though, with Loyola Marymount transfer Chance Stephens and a trio of freshman guards, DeShawn Harris Smith, Jamie Kaiser and Jahnathan Lamothe joining the team. Stephens shot 37.4 percent from 3-point range, but transitioning to the Big Ten will be a big adjustment for someone who played just 17.4 minutes per game in the West Coast Conference as a freshman last year. Maryland's apparent lack of depth puts pressure on these newcomers to contribute right away.

Reasons for optimism

Jahmir Young and Julian Reese enter the season as one of the Big Ten's top point guard and center duos. Young's quickness is tough to contain, and he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last year, averaging 15.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Reese more than doubled his scoring output as a sophomore, putting up 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. With past All-Big Ten forwards like Trayce Jackson-Davis, Hunter Dickinson, Kris Murray, Filip Rebraca, Matthew Mayer and Derrick Walker all gone, Reese should be in the running for first or second-team All-Big Ten. Don't be surprised to see him on the Big Ten All-Defensive team, either. Maryland also brings in two freshmen ranked in the top 10 among Big Ten recruits – DeShawn Harris-Smith and Jamie Kaiser – which should help the program's growth in year two under coach Kevin Willard. 

The bottom line

Maryland exceeded most outside expectations in year one under coach Kevin Willard, being ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation and winning an NCAA Tournament game as a No. 8 seed. Led by veterans Jahmir Young, Donta Scott, Julian Reese and a few immediate-impact newcomers, the Terrapins are likely a step below the Big Ten's best, but should improve on last year's sixth-place finish in the conference.

On Thursday, look forward to the next part of our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, featuring the Indiana Hoosiers.   

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