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As Maryland opened its Big Ten slate in December, point guard Jahmir Young hit a late three-pointer to earn a win over Illinois, and Kevin Willard recorded his first win over a high-ranked opponent as manager of the Terrapins. Amid the celebration, Willard urged his players to thank the student section because, for the first time this season, Xfinity Center rocked and delivered the terps.
Nearly three months later, the Maryland players walked to the same railing that separates the plaza from the stands to show their gratitude one last time. The Terps just had No. 1 with a strong second half. 21 Northwestern and their 75-59 victory in their home final on Sunday afternoon completed a perfect Big Ten campaign in that building.
Maryland won all 10 of its conference games at the Xfinity Center, a streak of dominance that has helped the Terps rise to the top of the Big Ten and even their struggles on the streets. The win over Northwestern marked the Terps’ fifth home win against a top-ranked conference opponent and added another solid win to their résumé. After the final buzzer, several players raised their arms to make a heart shape with their hands, and they waded through a sea of high-five-seeking arms on their way to the locker room.
“The fanbase really got behind this group,” Willard said. “I think they appreciated how hard they worked, how hard they play.”
As Maryland (20-9, 11-7) pushed past the Wildcats, Young again led the lead, just as he did against the Illini in December and as he had done all season. He had 18 points as all five starters finished in double digits on Senior Day.
“It’s a moment that you will remember for the rest of your life,” said Young, one of five seniors honored before the game. “I’m just trying to take care of business but also enjoy it and stay in the moment.”
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The terps shot 53.8 percent from the field and hit a season-high 14 threes on 22 attempts (63.6 percent). Sophomore forward Julian Reese had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Maryland’s offense looked fluid as she committed just seven turnovers, and Hakim Hart (10 points) gave out a team-high seven assists.
Northwestern (20-9, 11-7) is close to making its second NCAA tournament appearance in school history, and the Wildcats have won five away games in conference play this season.
The teams put on an offensive display in the first half, with both shooting at high levels (61.5 percent for Maryland, 59.3 percent for Northwestern). They totaled just four turnovers and 11 fouls combined, and neither team led by more than five. Maryland made eight threes. Northwest standout guard Boo Buie had seven assists as the Terps struggled to contain Chase Audige, who had 14 points. Patrick Emilien of Maryland gave Young a nice pass that jumped for a dunk. And Young hit a hard-fought three on the buzzer to put the Terps to a 41-39 lead at halftime.
As teams returned, Maryland continued to surge and the Wildcats couldn’t keep up. Willard said his defense had a couple of “mental breakdowns” that led to Northwest three-pointers in the first half, but the terps got more stops after the half. In the second half, the Terps limited Audige to two points and Buie to an assist. Northwestern’s supporting cast couldn’t provide enough production to counter Maryland’s sharp shots.
“They outplayed us in the second half,” said Northwestern coach Chris Collins. “We couldn’t keep up with the rating.”
Buie, the Wildcats’ top scorer that year, finished with just four points in 1-on-9 shooting. He had averaged 24.8 points in his last five games as Northwestern emerged as a force in the Big Ten, but the Terps halted that excellent stretch.
Here’s what else you should know about Maryland’s win:
Maryland competed at 31.3 percent from three-point range, the second-worst mark in the Big Ten. But after making 7 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc against Minnesota’s struggling defense on Wednesday, the Terps maintained that form against the Wildcats and shot a best 63.6 percent of the season.
Four Maryland players — Don Carey (4 for 7), Young (4 for 7), Ian Martinez (3 for 3) and Hart (2 for 4) — made multiple shots from beyond the arc, a promising sign if the Postseason approaches.
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Maryland is in a strong position to earn a top-four finish and a double bye in the Big Ten tournament that begins March 8 in Chicago. The Terps are in a four-way tie for second place with Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. Purdue (13-5) has maintained its place at the top of the league despite four losses in the last six games.
Maryland closes with two games on the road — Ohio State on Wednesday and Penn State on Sunday.
Maryland honored its five seniors before the tip. All of these players – Young, Hart, Emilien, Carey and Donta Scott – play significant roles in the rotation. Scott and Hart joined the program after high school and were part of Maryland’s 2020 Big Ten title-winning team. Young (Charlotte), Carey (Georgetown) and Emilien (St. Francis Brooklyn) came as transfers this offseason.
“I’m in it for the long haul,” Willard said. “And what those guys did – Hak, Donta and those three [transfers] – They set the tone and they set the culture to a very, very high standard.”
Willard grounded his five seniors together late in the game and then replaced them all with 1:18 remaining. The audience gave a standing ovation.
Because the NCAA has given extra eligibility to college athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic, Seniors’ Day ceremonies don’t necessarily mark the near end of a player’s career. Of Maryland’s group, only Carey and Emilien have exhausted their credentials; They used their extra season to play in Maryland. Hart, Scott and Young have an entitlement that leaves the door open for another season at College Park.