One of the traditional hallmarks of Maryland coach Buzz Williams’ teams has been their relentlessness on the boards. In each of the last two seasons at Texas A&M, Williams’ Aggies ranked in the top six nationally in rebounding margin.
There was no evidence of this trait, however, for the Terrapins in two blowout losses last week to ranked teams in the Players Era tournament as they were outrebounded a combined 88-59.
When Maryland (5-3) faces Wagner (1-5) on Tuesday night in College Park, Md., Williams will hope to see improved work on the glass.
Williams thought he’d have the answer on the boards by bringing with him two of his top four rebounders last year at Texas A&M — 6-foot-9 Pharrel Payne and 6-foot-7 Solomon Washington.
While Payne leads the Terrapins in points (17.3 per game) and rebounds (6.3 rpg), Washington has yet to play because of an ankle sprain. His return is likely near, however, as Washington was in uniform Wednesday night in Maryland’s loss to Alabama.
“We have multiple things that we have to improve at,” Williams said last week. “Do I think he will help us? Yes. Do I think one person is going to answer all of these lists of things that we need improvement at? No.”
The checklist is long after Maryland lost on back-to-back nights to then-No. 12 Gonzaga, 100-61, followed by another wire-to-wire defeat against then-No. 8 Alabama, 105-72.
“Playing in a tournament like this affords us an opportunity to diagnose even more at a faster rate,” Williams added. “There’s a lot for us to grow from.”
Wagner of the Northeast Conference won Wednesday night at Manhattan, 103-101 in overtime, as Nick Jones scored 35 points. The Seahawks trailed 101-96 before Jones scored the game’s final seven points over the last 58 seconds.
Jones, who returns to his home state Tuesday, is a transfer from Division II Harcum and has emerged as the Seahawks’ top threat, averaging 16.7 points per game.
The victory was the first for interim head coach Dwan McMillan, who took over in the preseason as the school is investigating Donald Copeland for abuse of players.
In the win at Manhattan, five other players scored in double figures for Wagner, including Zavier Fitch (10 points, 10 rebounds).
