The Maryland Terrapins began their 2024-2025 men’s basketball season a week ago with a blowout win over Manhattan then a blowout win against Mount St. Mary’s. Freshman Derik Queen is the player that Mount St. Mary’s was all over and that gave Queen’s teammates opportunities to shine with Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice having big games.
Head coach Kevin Willard is getting to see his team in action as each game gives the coaches more to see with their team. Maryland won its 11th straight home non-conference game, and 17th consecutive against un-ranked non-conference foes. Tonight, it is Florida A&M at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland.
In the first game of the season, Queen’s 22 points were the most by a Maryland freshman in his debut game since Joe Smith had 26 vs. Georgetown in 1993. He also posted the most rebounds by a freshman in their debut for Maryland and the most by any Big Ten freshman in a debut since at least 1996-97.
In the offseason, Willard and his staff revamped the roster with several key transfers and two talented freshmen with Derik Queen and Malachi Palmer. Queen entered as the second-highest ranked recruit in program history.
On the transfer side, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Selton Miguel, and Rodney Rice will all veteran leadership, instant scoring, and consistent shooting from deep.
Returning for his fourth season, Julian Reese is a key piece of the front court with his experience and talent. Regarded as one of the top front court players in the conference, Reese reached 1,000 career points last season and could hit 1,000 rebounds for his career this year.
Along with Reese, the development of DeShawn Harris-Smith, one of the top Power 5 true freshmen last year, and with Jordan Geronimo returning, they will provide key experience for the Terps. The return from injury of Chance Stephens adds another perimeter threat, while transfers Tafara Gapare and Jay Young provide athletic depth and dynamic defense to the line-up.
“This is the way Rod’s been playing for the last two or three weeks in practice. It’s the way he played the other night, to be honest with you, when he came into the second half and kind of did the same thing. He’s got a great knack for scoring and knows how to score, and he’s been working hard. So he’s playing well.”
— head coach Kevin Willard said
The Terps were the top defensive unit in the Big Ten last season allowing 65.9 points per game which ranked 23rd nationally. That marked the first time since 1973-74 for the Terps to lead their conference scoring defense.
Maryland’s record: 2-0; Big Ten 0-0
Florida A&M’s record: 0-2
All-time series: Maryland leads 1-0
BetUS Sportsbook : Maryland are favorites at -33, O/U 141.5
Tip-Off: Monday, Nov. 11, 2024; 7:00 pm
Arena: Xfinity Center • College Park, Maryland
TV:
Streaming TV: Big-Ten online only. Nathan Schwartz (pxp), Jack Bowman (analyst), Ryan Martin (sideline)
Radio: Audacy Radio App / SiriusXM 136; 105.7 FM (Balt.) / 980 AM (D.C.) — Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Chris Knoche (analyst), Walt Williams (analyst), Tom Marchitto (engineer)
