Maryland cruised to their fourth win of the season after dominating Canisius, 108-71. Everything that head coach Kevin Willard said following Tuesday’s win:
On the importance of a 71-point win
“I think it's really important, because those guys deserve it. I think I made a big mistake the other night not playing the bench more. I thought down the stretch we weren't able to get stops against Marquette because I just kept guys out there too long. So no matter what, I was going to make a conscious effort and making sure we got to the bench.”
On starting Rodney Rice over DeShawn Harris-Smith
“I've been thinking about for a while with this team because Rodney protects the big guys a little bit better than Deshawn [Harris-Smith]. But we were struggling a little bit in the second ten minutes of every half because Jay [Young] was going out there and he was the only ball handler out there. He was working hard, but he was just getting stuck with the ball every single time. And I needed another point guard out there, and for me, it just made more sense to be able to put the ball into DeShawn’s hands, let him be able to make plays with the basketball on the break where he's really good, give him a little bit more time with the ball than off the ball. We’ve worked -- that's how we practice. So I was never getting to that in the game because of starting him. So it's just a simple let's protect the big guys with Rodney and let's protect the second unit and give Deshawn a better chance of being successful and putting the ball in his hands.”
On forcing early turnovers vs. Canisius
“We didn't practice very good on Sunday. Everybody's feelings were really hurt. I let them have a bad Sunday and then we came back yesterday and practiced really good yesterday. We were very spirited. We're very focused. And I thought that first group, like that first possession, you know, we went into Julian [Reese] right away, because we just didn't give him the ball enough. And again, a new team trying to use to who to throw to, when to throw it to. And I thought Julian set the whole tempo with, just we threw it in, he didn't rush it. He kicked it out. We got a wide open three. Even though he didn't make it, I really thought that set the tone because I was on the team when we watched film on Sunday about getting the basketball into Julian Reese and so for me to make a conscious effort to throw it in the first possession and then for him to kick it back out after he didn't get that many touches, I just thought he set the tone being unselfish. And then defensively, they make a prayer on the first possession but it was as good a defensive possession as you could have to start the half. So I just thought we kind of got them on their heels right away.”
On what Willard liked about the new starting lineup
“Nothing that much drastic. I mean, we started off against Florida [A&M] 15-0. We started out today good. Again, I think the biggest thing is just, I think we're able to space the floor a little bit better. Rodney is obviously a very willing shooter with Deshawn is much more of a willing passer. So now, when you have, obviously Ja’Kobi was shooting a very high percentage, Selton is a very good shooter and now Rodney, you have three guys who were ready to pull the trigger where Deshawn is much more I'm going to try to make the next pass guy. I thought I'd put a little bit more pressure on their defense.”
On playing six sub-300 KenPom teams in non-conference play
“I don’t know, Manhattan beat Fordham so sometimes KenPom [is] full of shit.”
On Jordan Geronimo’s status after being inactive vs. Canisius
“Jordan's fine. He bruised his – he had like a slight bruise yesterday in practice. He could have played. I watched him in warm ups, and was just kind of like we had Villanova, Bucknell, Alcorn [State] and Big Ten play coming up. So it was more, a little bit more – that was, when I say game time decision, I didn't make the decision until about the last minute but he's okay.”
On Jay Young and Malachi Palmer, how they’re a factor for Maryland
“Our schedule is the same as everyone's schedule. You play these games and you play you play Marquette because you got to get tested and see what you have to work on. And you play these games because you have a really, really good young player like Malachi Palmer that needs game experience. And the more Malachi is out there, the more everyone's seeing how good of a player he is, how active he is, so. And Jayhlon is a great leader. He's a very mature young man that knows who he is and he's very comfortable in his own skin. I mean, he's great for Malachi.”
On Selton Miguel’s comfort within Maryland’s offense
“Again, Selton is still trying to figure everything out. I think he'll get more and more comfortable. I think it'll get better and better as the year goes on. I think he came off the bench last year, now he's starting and whole new team. More for him, being off the ball is a little bit more of a learning process, a little bit more everyone just be patient. Let him get comfortable.”
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