Looking down the line, Maryland freshman Noah Batchelor’s development is key for building on Kevin Willard’s first season.
Maryland Basketball was one of the bigger surprises of the 2022-23 college basketball season under first-year head coach Kevin Willard. The Terrapins, projected by many to be an afterthought in the Big Ten, were actually quite competitive. Finishing with a respectable 22-13 record and 11-9 mark in conference play, Maryland reached the Round of 32 in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
The No. 8 Terps defeated No. 9 West Virginia in the Round of 64 before bowing out to No. 1 overall seed Alabama. Given such results in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the UMD program, there is plenty of optimism for what Willard can produce moving forward.
The Terps project to lose a large chunk of their rotational pieces heading into next season. There’s a chance players like Jahmir Young, Hakim Hart, or Donta Scott return with available eligibility, but that remains to be seen. With an influx of youth coming in, a solid veteran presence will be essential to keep Maryland in the top half of the Big Ten standings. Freshman Noah Batchelor’s development is thus a matter of priority.
A three-star recruit from IMG Academy, Batchelor saw limited action this season – 6.7 minutes per game over 22 games. He averaged 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in that time. Lauded as a marksman coming out of high school, he struggled to find consistency, shooting 27.8% from the field and 25.8% from three. Given that Maryland’s lack of perimeter shot-making was a major weakness this season, those numbers will need to improve. With an offseason of work and more playing time on the way, he stands to deliver on his reputation as a sharpshooter moving forward.
Willard specifically referenced Noah Batchelor as a player he believed could be a key contributor in future years. Over the course of the season, Maryland’s first-year head coach was reportedly pleased with the improvement of the 6’6″ guard. In the same interview, Batchelor referenced his need to continue developing as a defender to consistently see the floor.
After a winning season, the future is bright in College Park with a top-20 recruiting class on the way. Incoming talent aside, Maryland’s continuity will be the foundation for future seasons. Noah Batchelor has the skillset to become one of those valuable building blocks.