Kevin Willard’s full-court press was a staple during his inaugural season coaching Maryland basketball. It worked well, helping the team force 12 turnovers per game.
Last year it all but disappeared because in order to press, you need the other team to be inbounding the ball. The Terps didn’t make enough shots to make that happen.
The Terps’ havoc defense was relegated to a man-to-man, which was still strong but didn’t generate easy transition baskets. It’s not that Willard suddenly didn’t want to press. He just lacked the offense to do it.
“It was hard to press last year because we were just so bad offensively,” Willard said. “We could never really get it in a good rhythm.”
A pressing defense is most effective after made baskets, when the defense is given extra time to set up its attack. It’s a style that some coaches, like Grand Canyon’s Bryce Drew or former West Virginia coach Bob Huggins, have adopted as their staple.
Other players aren’t used to that style of defense, though. The Terps are one of few Big Ten teams who use a press, which can make them a wildcard to play against.
“It was definitely tough at first learning it, but I feel like we’re getting a lot better at it, forcing some turnovers in practice,” Belmont guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie said. “And then hopefully versus Manhattan, we force a lot of turnovers.”
The press typically works best when the point guard is an elite defender. Willard searched for that skill in the portal and found Gillespie. The coaching staff expects the Belmont transfer to be as good or better defensively than former Maryland guard Jahmir Young, who averaged more than a steal per game. Gillespie and sophomore DeShawn Harris-Smith, whose long wingspan and physical build make him a prototypical top-line defender, will be at the top of the press.
“I feel like [Willard] always has a great defensive team. I feel like it’s not gonna stop this year,” Harris-Smith said.
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Transfer Selton Miguel and freshman Derik Queen will play in the second line of the defense behind the guards. That’s a big adjustment for Queen, whose conditioning was a question mark in high school. He’s worked hard on shaping his body for the upcoming season, though, and has surprised Willard with his mobility.
“Derik’s learned the backside of the press really well. That was the only kind of concern I had,” Willard said. “He’s long on the back [part of the defense]. He’s got a good feel for where to go. So that hasn’t been as much of an issue as I thought it was going to be.”
If Queen’s mobility translates, the Terps press should be successful. Nearly the entire rotation is filled with long-armed, versatile defenders who can cause havoc for opposing backcourts.
Willard’s teams have played strong defense through his first two seasons. A historically poor offense sunk the Terps tournament hopes last season. Maryland’s hoping a return to baseline will allow for them to play their attacking style of defense that Willard strives for.
“We’re going to come out and get back right to it, as long as we can score the basketball,” Willard said.
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