Selton Miguel’s experienced the erratic nature of college basketball. He’s played for four different coaches, three teams and competed in three different conferences.
That’s why Maryland basketball coach Kevin Willard was unconcerned about the Angola native’s slow start to the season. He said that Miguel just needed time to get comfortable, and the veteran wing has proved his coach right lately with his flamethrowing from 3-point range.
Miguel scored 24 points in the Terps 87-60 win over Syracuse on Saturday, leading the team in scoring. He connected on six triples, shooting 8-11 from the field, despite playing only 27 minutes. In their last game, against St. Francis, he shot 6 of 9 from three and scored 24 points in 24 minutes.
It’s the sixth straight game Miguel has scored in double figures and the second consecutive contest in which he finished with 24 points. His season average is up to 11.2 points per game and over 40% from three after a slow start to the season during which he made five of his first 20 threes.
He’s the Terps second most efficient offensive player, according to KenPom. Miguel has the fourth-highest offensive rating in the Big Ten of players who used at least 20% of their team’s possessions.
“It feels good to be back. That’s me,” Miguel said after the Syracuse win.
“In the last two weeks, Selton’s been on fire. I just knew I needed to find him,” said Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
Nothing has really changed over the recent stretch of games. Miguel’s still the same player; a high volume shooter who provides defensive value. Over 24% of Maryland’s possessions end in a Miguel shot when he’s on the court, according to KenPom. Shots are just finally going in.
Still, it’s encouraging that Miguel didn’t lose confidence in himself after a brutal opening. It would’ve been easy to; Willard benched another starter after a slow start and fans grew concerned with his inefficiency. But Miguel continued to play aggressively. Willard encouraged him to keep shooting after a zero-point showing against Villanova. Miguel listened; his nature never changed; he consistently attempted between nine and 12 shots per game after that performance.
“This is his fourth different team… To Selton’s credit, he’s stayed extremely positive. And you’re seeing the result now,” Willard said.
His role makes Maryland’s starting lineup work well. With Derik Queen and Ja’Kobi Gillespie handling most on-ball duties, the Terps need wings who can finish possessions. That fits Miguel’s game perfectly.
He’s not a perfect player, of course, The senior can get tunnel vision (he averages two assists per game) and his defense needs to improve. Evan Miya’s site graded him as Maryland’s worst defender in its starting lineup.
“Just trying to fit out and just be me. I have a lot of trust in coach Willard, I know I had a bad start, but you gotta keep going,” Miguel said.
There was a lot of pressure on the Angola native. Miguel has frequently mentioned that he wants to replicate close friend and former Terps star Bruno Fernando‘s impact in College Park. This is his last season of college basketball, so he needs a strong showing to play professionally.
But Miguel’s also veteran who understands what his role is. That’s why he never lost confidence in himself. Now, the results are matching his process.
Someone said after the Terps win over the Orange that Miguel had settled in.
“Yeah,” Willard said, “I would agree.”
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