851 replies to this topic

[CantonJester]

This Big Ten title game is freakin brutal (to watch). 

[TwentyThirtyFive]

4 seed in Floridas bracket is tough. All the 1 seeds are very strong but Florida is playing the best right now

[BSLZackKiesel]

Maryland is officially the #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region, and will face off against Grand Canyon on Friday in Seattle, WA.

[BSLZackKiesel]

IMS: Kevin Willard addresses job rumors, his communication with Terps AD Damon Evans

https://247sports.co...vans-247160599/

 

"What I can tell you is, Damon Evans and I, you know, he hired me, we're on the same page of what we want to do for this program, what we want to do for this university. His focus and my focus are exactly the same. Our focus right now is strictly the NCAA Tournament and this team. But all I can say to that now is me and Damon are on the same page and always have been," Willard said.

[Ravens2006]

Terps should be fine until they hit an opponent with a couple tough big men that can match up. Then Reese is a good bet to wilt and Queen will do some things and post numbers, but settle from some 3s and look timid for some long stretch. Death and taxes.

[mdrunning]

I’ll do it. $50 says MD makes a sweet 16 with Willard as coach. If you wanna take the other side lemme know. I’ll do two bets max

I'd like to get in on this as well, but I've been saving up to buy an egg.

[glenn__davis]

IMS: Kevin Willard addresses job rumors, his communication with Terps AD Damon Evans

https://247sports.co...vans-247160599/

 

Not exactly what I would call a resounding "no".

 

For whatever reason, for college sports teams especially we seem to have a very "what have you done for me lately" mentality.  I was just reading on some of these rumors and saw a Villanova fan say that Willard has turned MD into a Big 10 powerhouse.  One good season makes you a powerhouse?  I think Willard's done a great job this year, but we're just one year removed from a pretty terrible season.  

 

I tend to side with Ricker and 2035.  He's done a great job this year for sure and I take nothing away from that but I don't think it's some huge death knell if he leaves.  Let's face it, next season is likely to be a bit of a step back no matter what.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Not exactly what I would call a resounding "no".

For whatever reason, for college sports seems especially we seem to have a very "what have you done for me lately" mentality. I was just reading on some of these rumors and saw a Villanova fan say that Willard has turned MD into a Big 10 powerhouse. One good season makes you a powerhouse? I think Willard's done a great job this year, but we're just one year removed from a pretty terrible season.

I tend to side with Ricker and 2035. He's done a great job this year for sure and I take nothing away from that but I don't think it's some huge death knell if he leaves. Let's face it, next season is likely to be a bit of a step back no matter what.

Youre right. Not a resounding no for sure.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Get to at least the S16 here.
Make the most of this Queen season.
Do that, you are in a better position regardless of what happens with Willard.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Not exactly what I would call a resounding "no".

 

For whatever reason, for college sports teams especially we seem to have a very "what have you done for me lately" mentality.  I was just reading on some of these rumors and saw a Villanova fan say that Willard has turned MD into a Big 10 powerhouse.  One good season makes you a powerhouse?  I think Willard's done a great job this year, but we're just one year removed from a pretty terrible season.  

 

I tend to side with Ricker and 2035.  He's done a great job this year for sure and I take nothing away from that but I don't think it's some huge death knell if he leaves.  Let's face it, next season is likely to be a bit of a step back no matter what.

 

Pretty similar to the situation when he got the MD job....there were MD rumors, and he played it coy. Then word got out he was leaving right before tipoff of SHU's 1st Rd game, and the players apparently paid attention, because they got completely boat-raced. Then in the postgame presser Willard lobbied for Holloway to be his replacement while Holloway's team was still in the tournament. Maybe he'll talk up Simpkins this time.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Pretty similar to the situation when he got the MD job....there were MD rumors, and he played it coy. Then word got out he was leaving right before tipoff of SHU's 1st Rd game, and the players apparently paid attention, because they got completely boat-raced. Then in the postgame presser Willard lobbied for Shaheen to be his replacement while Shaheen's team was still in the tournament. Maybe he'll talk up Simpkins this time.

Forgot about that.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Pretty similar to the situation when he got the MD job....there were MD rumors, and he played it coy. Then word got out he was leaving right before tipoff of SHU's 1st Rd game, and the players apparently paid attention, because they got completely boat-raced. Then in the postgame presser Willard lobbied for Holloway to be his replacement while Holloway's team was still in the tournament. Maybe he'll talk up Simpkins this time.

Seton Hall was playing on the West Coast in that 1st Rd game too.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Maryland stayed put in this week’s AP Poll, and remain ranked #11.

[Ravens2006]

I think since Willard took over, they overperformed expectations year 1, underperformed year 2 (based on the surprise success of year 1), and overperformed year 3 / this year.

 

Sort of expect NCAA basketball to be like that a lot with the ridiculous amount of portal hopping and all.  Some coaches don't even care to recruit HS kids anymore it seems.  Roster overhauls annually... you never know what you're going to get.

 

I like the guy, at least from his personality in interviews, so I hope he succeeds and lasts a long time.

[BSLRoseKatz]

I think since Willard took over, they overperformed expectations year 1, underperformed year 2 (based on the surprise success of year 1), and overperformed year 3 / this year.

 

Sort of expect NCAA basketball to be like that a lot with the ridiculous amount of portal hopping and all.  Some coaches don't even care to recruit HS kids anymore it seems.  Roster overhauls annually... you never know what you're going to get.

 

I like the guy, at least from his personality in interviews, so I hope he succeeds and lasts a long time.

 

I think HS kids are only worth it if they're 5-stars, Derik Queens aren't just laying around in the portal but seeing how unimpressive a 4-star like DHS has been makes me think 4-stars shouldn't be expected to meaningfully contribute until proven otherwise 

[Mackus]

Before the tourney begins just wanna note at the end of the season how terrific of a senior year Julian Reese has had. He's put together all the flashes and been consistently impactful all year long. Improvements at basically every aspect of his game, most notably the free throw shooting but also defending well without fouling which improved his junior year but he's been really good at this year. If the announcers are to be believed he's also been a great player leader.

I respect the portal and NIL as good things for the players, but I'll miss 4-year seniors who come in with promise and build on it throughout their careers. I think it'll be awhile until we see another Maryland man like Reese.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I think since Willard took over, they overperformed expectations year 1, underperformed year 2 (based on the surprise success of year 1), and overperformed year 3 / this year.

Sort of expect NCAA basketball to be like that a lot with the ridiculous amount of portal hopping and all. Some coaches don't even care to recruit HS kids anymore it seems. Roster overhauls annually... you never know what you're going to get.

I like the guy, at least from his personality in interviews, so I hope he succeeds and lasts a long time.

How does underperforming in year 2 have any relative relevancy to how he did in year 1? This is Maryland basketball. There’s never a scenario where a below .500 overall and conference record is acceptable at the University of Maryland. The idea that we were only pissed about a 16-17 record last year because they went 22-13 the year before with one tournament win just doesn’t track with me. People need to raise their standards. This year should be standard operating procedure, with the occasional off year due to the volatility with rosters these days due to the portal and NIL.

None of this is to say I’m not rooting for him. He’s done a really good job with this talent and no bench. Needs to be the norm. Needs to be the expectation.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Before the tourney begins just wanna note at the end of the season how terrific of a senior year Julian Reese has had. He's put together all the flashes and been consistently impactful all year long. Improvements at basically every aspect of his game, most notably the free throw shooting but also defending well without fouling which improved his junior year but he's been really good at this year. If the announcers are to be believed he's also been a great player leader.

I respect the portal and NIL as good things for the players, but I'll miss 4-year seniors who come in with promise and build on it throughout their careers. I think it'll be awhile until we see another Maryland man like Reese.

He’s not shot himself in the foot in general, I’d say. Calm and composed. Great demeanor, focus and execution. Very pleased with the way his MD career is ending. Tons of growth, both athletically and as a human IMO.

[glenn__davis]

Before the tourney begins just wanna note at the end of the season how terrific of a senior year Julian Reese has had. He's put together all the flashes and been consistently impactful all year long. Improvements at basically every aspect of his game, most notably the free throw shooting but also defending well without fouling which improved his junior year but he's been really good at this year. If the announcers are to be believed he's also been a great player leader.

I respect the portal and NIL as good things for the players, but I'll miss 4-year seniors who come in with promise and build on it throughout their careers. I think it'll be awhile until we see another Maryland man like Reese.

 

Well stated.  Been meaning to post something similar and just never got around to it.  Really appreciate Reese so much for his career here.

[Mike B]

Before the tourney begins just wanna note at the end of the season how terrific of a senior year Julian Reese has had. He's put together all the flashes and been consistently impactful all year long. Improvements at basically every aspect of his game, most notably the free throw shooting but also defending well without fouling which improved his junior year but he's been really good at this year. If the announcers are to be believed he's also been a great player leader.

I respect the portal and NIL as good things for the players, but I'll miss 4-year seniors who come in with promise and build on it throughout their careers. I think it'll be awhile until we see another Maryland man like Reese.

Good post.  I still yell at the TV everytime Reese grabs an offensive rebound in traffic and brings the ball down, but he has come so far as a player in four years.  As WIllard set, congrats to a True Terp.  He will get his jersey in the rafters.