78 replies to this topic

[BSLZackKiesel]

Kevin Plank just presented Willard with a 40-pound wooden Under Armour logo for his office.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Damon Evans officially announces that enough money has finally been raised in order to begin construction on the basketball performance center, which will be named after the man who’s been bankrolling the athletic department for decades, Barry Gossett.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Willard promises to bring the “swag” back to Maryland basketball, references back to the style of Joe Smith and Steve Francis.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Willard says he has two coaches on his staff already. We knew about Skinn, but sounds like he may have added Cox as well.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Willard says he already knows most of the players currently on the roster, either from having played against them or recruiting them. The team will meet in person on Monday, and begin practicing on Tuesday.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Damon Evans officially announces that enough money has finally been raised in order to begin construction on the basketball performance center, which will be named after the man who’s been bankrolling the athletic department for decades, Barry Gossett.

The plan is to break ground on the facility in January, 2023 and have it operational by Fall, 2024.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Willard said he had four other job offers this year.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Willard stresses the importance of freshman recruiting not only on long-term success, but on the team’s culture. Says he’ll use the transfer portal, but won’t rely on it to build his teams.

[hallas]

One thing I like about Willard is that he already has a coaching tree with Shaheen Holloway having success at St. Peters. Have any Turgeon assistant hires gone on to have success as HCs? Have any even been hired? And Holloway is further notable because he is a SH alumnus.

Imagine if he takes in someone like Melo Trimble or maybe Ayala or Darryl Morsell in a few years, and one of them goes on to be a successful HC. If the time comes for us to make a hire it becomes a lot easier to do so if you have a network of successful alumni that are head coaches.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Willard aced that press conference. Came off very well, his voice sounds a little like Gary Williams’.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Willard says he has two coaches on his staff already. We knew about Skinn, but sounds like he may have added Cox as well.

Any of these guys have DC/Baltimore connections

[BSLZackKiesel]

Any of these guys have DC/Baltimore connections

Both. I put their bios in one of the other threads yesterday.

[SouthRider]

I am surprised no one asked him about scheduling Georgetown, or does no one care anymore with both programs a shell of themselves? 

[BSLRoseKatz]

I am surprised no one asked him about scheduling Georgetown, or does no one care anymore with both programs a shell of themselves? 

If he's scheduling Big East teams, I'd much rather see them do a home-and-home with Nova lol

[BSLChrisStoner]

One Press Conference and already find him more likable than I ever found Turgeon.

[makoman]

I am surprised no one asked him about scheduling Georgetown, or does no one care anymore with both programs a shell of themselves? 

I don't know that anyone cares anymore. It was cool when Joe Smith went in and beat them in his first game, and when they beat Georgetown on the way to the Final Four, but this hasn't really been a rivalry since before I was born, and I'm 43. 

[BSLZackKiesel]

In a BTN interview, Willard expressed a desire to play with more tempo offensively than he’s done at Seton Hall. Hopes Maryland offers him the opportunity to recruit more athletic guys so that he can run more.

[Mike B]

In a BTN interview, Willard expressed a desire to play with more tempo offensively than he’s done at Seton Hall. Hopes Maryland offers him the opportunity to recruit more athletic guys so that he can run more.

I heard the same.  He is a Pitino disciple so he should be schooled in uptempo.

I thought he did well on his presser with the exception of miss pronouncing a few names.

[Mike B]

I am surprised no one asked him about scheduling Georgetown, or does no one care anymore with both programs a shell of themselves? 

I used to care but that was because I disliked Thompson.   Not anymore.

[Mike B]

Willard stresses the importance of freshman recruiting not only on long-term success, but on the team’s culture. Says he’ll use the transfer portal, but won’t rely on it to build his teams.

The best news I heard.  I would guess he hits the portal hard this year, so he can fill holes, but he mentioned he likes to get 4 freshman a year.  I think that allows him to develop a culture.