Maryland Basketball: No surprise Darryl Morsell is Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

Darryl Morsell took home the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors. Terps fans shouldn’t be surprised. His Maryland basketball teammates had some fun campaigning on his behalf. Those wins come because of his grit and tenacity on that end of the floor.

Morsell finished the regular season with 25 steals and 16 blocks to go along with his 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Morsell is the team’s heart and soul and an extension of the coaching staff on the court.

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Morsell’s passing and scoring ability are highlights of his overall play and leadership as well. He always seemed to be in the right spot at the right time and made plays when necessary.

Whether he comes back for another year or not, we don’t know. He will undoubtedly go down as one of the Terps’ best defenders.

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No one can deny that Darryl Morsell gives his all on the floor.

Morsell knows that it doesn’t take one player to win such an award.

“It is truly an honor to be selected for this award by Big Ten coaches,” Morsell said. “I would not have achieved this without the support of God, in addition to my family, teammates, and coaches. I know this is an individual award, but it is truly a team award. We accomplished this together, and I cannot say enough about the guys in our locker room who made it happen.”

Defense has been Morsell’s M.O. since joining the Terps as a member of the 2017 class. He makes history as the first Terps player to win the Big Ten honor and joins Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins as Big Ten honorees. All three of them earned Big Ten Honorable Mentions.

The Terps have a rematch with the Michigan State Spartans Thursday, March 11, at 11:30 a.m. on the Big Ten Network.