Maryland Basketball Awaits Offseason Decisions

Maryland Basketball

Maryland Basketball Faces Critical Offseason After Mixed 2023-24 Campaign

By [Your Name] | March 28, 2025

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The University of Maryland men’s basketball team is entering a pivotal offseason following a 2023-24 season that showcased flashes of promise but ultimately fell short of NCAA Tournament expectations. Under fifth-year head coach Kevin Willard, the Terrapins finished with a 19-13 record (10-10 Big Ten), narrowly missing March Madness and settling for an NIT appearance, where they were eliminated in the second round.

Season Recap: Ups and Downs

Maryland’s season was marked by strong defensive performances but inconsistent offensive execution. Standout guard Jahmir Young led the team in scoring (16.4 PPG) and earned All-Big Ten honors, while sophomore forward Julian Reese (12.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG) emerged as a dominant interior presence. However, the Terps struggled with three-point shooting (ranked 13th in the Big Ten) and depth, particularly after injuries sidelined key reserves.

Notable wins included an upset over then-No. 10 Illinois and a road victory at Michigan State, but damaging losses to mid-tier conference foes like Northwestern and Penn State proved costly for their tournament résumé.

Offseason Priorities: Transfers and Development

With Young exhausting his eligibility and Reese testing the NBA Draft waters (while maintaining college eligibility), Willard and his staff are aggressively pursuing reinforcements via the transfer portal. Maryland has already been linked to several high-profile targets, including a sharpshooting wing and a veteran point guard.

'We need more scoring and experience,' Willard said in his end-of-season press conference. 'The portal is critical for us to take the next step.'

Meanwhile, the development of returning players like DeShawn Harris-Smith and Jamie Kaiser Jr. will be key. Both freshmen showed defensive tenacity but must improve offensively to elevate Maryland into the Big Ten’s upper echelon.

Recruiting and Fan Expectations

The Terps’ 2025 recruiting class, headlined by four-star forward Derik Queen (Montverde Academy), brings optimism. However, fans are growing impatient for a breakthrough—Maryland hasn’t advanced past the NCAA Tournament’s second round since 2016.

Athletic director Damon Evans reaffirmed support for Willard but emphasized that 'the standard is competing for championships.' With the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams next season (adding UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington), the path won’t get easier.

What’s Next?

Maryland’s offseason moves will shape whether 2024-25 becomes a resurgence or another middling chapter. The Terps open next season against a yet-to-be-announced high-major opponent in November, with hopes of returning to the national spotlight.

Stay tuned for updates on transfers, draft decisions, and schedule announcements.

#GoTerps

Follow @TerpsHoops for the latest updates.

Maryland Basketball Awaits Offseason Decisions

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