Maryland basketball, which had been promising, ended its season in disappointment and uncertainty. Despite an impressive 27-9 regular season record and a run around the homegrown “Crab 5,” the team was eliminated by eventual champion, the Florida Gators, in the sweet 16 of this year’s March Madness. This was followed by a controversial departure of coach Kevin Willard to Villanova, key players transferring and graduating, and center Derik Queen declaring for the NBA draft.
Without Willard and a solid core, the program faces an uncertain future. However, with the arrival of new coach Buzz Williams from Texas A&M, College Park basketball still holds hope. The Big Ten has become increasingly challenging, and with the rise of NIL, the transfer portal, and rising expectations, the margin for error has shrunk to an unprecedented level. I sought senior Aidan Adams’ perspective on this critical period in Maryland Basketball.
Adams says, “the ‘Crab 5’ wasn’t overhyped because of its exceptional starting lineup and the fact that each player had a specific role and executed it effectively. However, they lacked the depth to make a serious tournament run. Their reliance on five players to score left them vulnerable when someone was playing poorly, tired, or injured.” Aidan also mentioned that, “while Buzz Williams has begun to retool with five portal transfers, this season will likely be a rebuilding phase. It takes time for players to buy into a new coach’s values and principles, which allows them to develop their own unique culture. Additionally, an entirely new starting lineup will take time to develop and create chemistry since they haven’t played together before. While I don’t think this season will be a complete waste, I do believe they could make some noise in the Big Ten. Who knows what can happen in March? There will be growing pains, but they need to be resilient and trust in the process of Buzz Williams and his ability to build programs.”
While the “Crab 5” era may be coming to an end, Aidan encourages Maryland fans to remain hopeful. He acknowledges Buzz Williams’ remarkable program-building skills and his consistent success at every school he visits. “Maryland fans should be thrilled about Williams’ potential in College Park.” However, Aidan expresses uncertainty about the level of support the school will provide. He mentions that, “Maryland Athletics doesn’t fully support men’s basketball with NIL resources as much as it does with the football program. If Maryland Athletics wants to contribute to the team’s success, which is definitely possible, they should make a full commitment to supporting basketball in an uncertain future with NIL and the transfer portal.”
Aidan also points out that it’s easy to assume Maryland men’s basketball will decline next year and finish at the bottom of the Big Ten. However, he emphasizes the impressive job Williams has done at power 5 schools like Virginia Tech and Texas A&M. He highlights the five commitments Williams has secured from transfer portal players, with three following him from Texas A&M. Additionally, he mentions two experienced guards, Myles Rice and David Colt, who can contribute offensively. Rice averaged 10.1 points per game, while Colt averaged 20.8 points per game at NIU before transferring to Kansas.
College Park, with its talented players, rich traditions, and passionate fanbase, still holds promise. However, achieving its full potential won’t be achieved through mere flashy hires or top-tier recruiting classes. The future of Maryland basketball remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: it must be distinct from the past.
