Maryland Basketball: 2022-23 season preview and outlook for Terrapins
By Karl Heiser
The 2021-22 season was certainly one to forget for Maryland Basketball. The Terrapins had high hopes to open the campaign and were ranked No. 21 in the Preseason AP Poll. However, an uninspiring start to the year and increasing dissatisfaction from the fanbase led Mark Turgeon to resign eight games into the season.
Assistant coach Danny Manning took over, but the Terrapins never quite found their footing in a competitive Big Ten conference. They finished the regular season with a 15-16 record (7-13 Big Ten) before falling in their Big Ten Tournament opener against Michigan State. The Terrapins were not invited to the NCAA Tournament or NIT.
Maryland’s search for a new head coach began in earnest and rumors swirled regarding who the Terps could snap up for the job. Rick Pitino, Nate Oats, and Bruce Pearl were all floated as possibilities, but ultimately UMD went with former Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard. In 12 seasons leading the Pirates, Willard compiled a 225-161 record. His teams reached the NCAA Tournament five times, winning the Big East regular season and Big East Tournament once each.
Off the court, Willard has seemingly done all the right things so far. Early efforts in 2023 recruiting have yielded promising results, program alumni and fans are buying back in, and the standard of excellence is being reiterated. Maryland is a top 15-20 job in the sport given its history and location – it’s clear the new head coach views it as such. UMD supporters have reasons to be optimistic regarding the future of the program under Willard, but what can be expected for his first season at the helm?
The Terrapins graduated their two leading scorers from last season in Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell but have since replaced that backcourt with two experienced transfers. With a new offensive system and a respectable starting lineup, could the Terrapins be good enough to make noise in a Big Ten conference many project to be down? Or will the combination of roster turnover and depth concerns confine them to the basement of the conference? Here is a full 2022-23 season preview for Maryland Basketball.