2022-23 Terps Basketball: Maryland Is 5-0

With back-to-back wins over the weekend vs. St. Louis, and Miami; the University of Maryland Terrapins won the Hall-of-Fame Tip-Off, and improved to 5-0.

Some early thoughts on what we’ve seen so far early on this season.

Current KenPom Ratings

Maryland is up to 22nd overall in the KenPom ratings, 19th overall in Adjusted Offense, 34th overall in Adjusted Defense. While it feels like Maryland has been playing at a significantly higher pace, they are just 244th in Adjusted Tempo.

Some Team Stats Of Note

Maryland is:

• Averaging 80.2 points per game.
• Tied for 49th overall in Fastbreak points per game (16).
• 56th overall in Effective FG %.
• 38th overall in Field Goal % Defense.
• 134th overall in Free Throw Attempts per game.
• 82nd overall in Free Throw %.
• 71st overall in Rebound Margin.
• 42nd overall in Scoring Defense.
• 77th overall in Scoring Offense.
• 188th overall in Steals Per Game.
• 176th overall in 3 Point Attempts Per Game.
• 193rd overall in 3 Point %.
• 10th overall in 3 Point % Defense.
• 133rd overall in Turnover Margin.

Some Individual Stats Of Note

• Four Terps are averaging double-figures in scoring (Scott, Reese, Hart, and Young).
• Eight Terps are averaging double-digit minutes per game. The four players above, plus Carey, Martinez, Long, and Emilien.
• Scott is leading the team at 16.8 ppg. He’s also averaging 6.8 boards, shooting 85% at the line, and 47% from 3.
• Reese’s minutes have jumped from 17.7 as a Freshman, to 26.6. He’s making 79% of his shots, and his attempts have gone up to 6.8 per game after 4.6 attempts per last year. He’s leading the team with 7.6 boards per. Steals up. Blocks up. After making 80% of his FT’s on 1.4 attempts last year, he’s currently down to 57% at the line on 4.2 attempts per game this season.
• Hart’s 3 point attempts per game are basically the same last year (2.8 vs. 2.9), but he’s making 43% of his attempts after making 33% of his 3’s last year.
• In his last two years at Charlotte, Young averaged 37 and 36 minutes per game. That’s down to 26 so far as a Terp. With the 49ers he averaged 5.3 attempts from 3 the last two seasons. That’s down to 2.4 attempts so far with MD. He’s making 88% of his FT attempts. In four of the five games, he’s had at-least 4 boards.
• After struggling in the initial three games, Carey averaged 14 ppg in the two games vs. St. Louis and Miami, going 8 of 19 from 3.
• Emilien has had at-least 4 boards in each of the last three games.
• Martinez’s minutes and field goal attempts per game (2.9 last year, 4.8 this year) are up. So is his FG % (41.7 this year, vs. 32.9% last year).
• Long has three games with at-least 5 points.
• After 25 combined minutes in the games vs. Western Carolina and Binghamton, Cornish had 5 combined minutes vs. St. Louis and Miami.
• Batchelor has 12 3point attempts over the initial five games. He’s made 4. He has had 1 board in each game.

Initial Impressions

• There are multiple ways to play the game and succeed. When you have a team with athleticism and length; I like seeing on-ball pressure. After 10+ years of Turgeon wanting to slow games, and play 1/2 court defense; I’m really enjoying watching Willard utilizing more pressing and trapping. I think it keeps the players engaged at a higher level, and more importantly it helps create offense from defense. Easy transition points make a difference. Maryland’s limited front-court depth is less of a limitation when you are getting points-in-the-paint just by getting up and down the court.
• It can be fun playing with minimal expectations. Picked to finish 10th overall in The Big Ten by most outlets, Maryland just looks like they’re having fun right now.
• Maryland beat Binghamton by 24. What I really loved was that Willard wasn’t happy afterwards, because MD had been up 30+ when he emptied the bench. He wanted his bench to keep their collective foot on Binghamton’s throat, and that’s the mentality you need.
• Reese is stronger, and a better finisher this year.
• As I mentioned in our season preview a few weeks ago, Hart and Scott could have bolted. They really should be appreciated for coming back, and the Seniors seem really focused right now.
• After not playing last year, Cornish has played a total of 32 minutes so far this season. My initial impression is that there is plus ability there. I think he’s got the skill-set to be a plus college scorer.
• Batchelor has some bounce to him. And you can see his teammates looking to find him the ball when he gets on the floor.
• Young and Carey have been feeling their way. If they are consistently on, MD will continue to surprise people.
• Some good signs from Martinez, Long, and Emilien. Willard has an 8 man rotation with a lot of college experience.

Next Five Games

November 25th vs. Coppin State – ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Maryland a 94.4% chance of winning.

November 29th @ Louisville – ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Maryland a 73% chance of winning.

December 2nd vs. Illinois – ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Maryland a 67% chance of winning.

December 6th @ Wisconsin – ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Maryland a 39.2% chance of winning.

December 11th vs. Tennessee at Brooklyn – ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Maryland a 39.5% chance of winning.

It’s not enough to beat Juan and Coppin; it’s like the Binghamton game, you want to finish. Coppin plays a high pace, so expect a lot of transition points. What I’m particularly interested in that game is the bench and rotation.

The Cardinals are 0-3, with home losses to Bellarmine, Wright State, and Appalachian State. Each loss by 1 point. Not the best start for their new HC Kenny Payne. Still, have to think the ACC Cardinals have some talent, and won’t be a pushover. They face #9 Arkansas in Maui tonight.

Don’t want to overhype two conference games in a 20 game conference schedule; but those two early December games vs. Illinois and Wisconsin are interesting. Illinois is currently a Top 20 team. Should be a good scene at the Xfinity Center. Winning at Wisconsin is never easy. That game will be a contrast in styles of play. I’ll be really interested to see if MD’s experience can be the difference in leaving Madison with a W.

Tennessee is 2-1, having lost to Colorado. They’re in The Bahamas for the Battle for Atlantis this week, facing Butler Wednesday night.