Kevin Willard, the head coach of Maryland basketball, had a humorous exchange with a reporter during a press conference after their Big Ten Tournament win over Illinois. The reporter was going through a detailed, play-by-play description of the game, and Willard, visibly trying not to smirk, finally interrupted him, saying “Are we going to go through the whole box score?”
The reporter continued, describing a 23-6 run by Maryland, capped off by a three-pointer from Jordan Geronimo. Willard praised the reporter’s description, saying “That was a great job describing the game. I got nothing for you. That was great.”
Geronimo’s performance was a highlight of the game, as he scored 11 points on 5-for-10 shooting, pulled down five rebounds, and grabbed five steals. His energy off the bench was a key factor in Maryland’s dominant 88-65 win.
Willard praised Geronimo’s performance, saying “Jordan’s been great. Jordan’s been as good as anybody, especially energy-wise, for me.”
Geronimo’s return to Indiana, where he played college basketball before transferring to Maryland, was a successful one. He said it felt great to contribute to his team’s win and show what they’re capable of.
Maryland’s win over Illinois was a testament to their strong team defense, which has been a hallmark of their season. Willard said he was proud of his team’s defensive effort, which held Illinois to 65 points.
The Terps’ dominant performance has them poised for a strong run in the NCAA Tournament. Despite a heartbreaking loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, Maryland is expected to receive a high seed in the tournament.
Bracketologists have Maryland as a likely No. 3 or No. 4 seed, with some predicting they could face UNC-Wilmington or Duke in the early rounds.
As the Terps prepare for the NCAA Tournament, they’ll be looking to build on their strong regular season and make a deep run in the postseason. With players like Geronimo and a stout team defense, they’ll be a formidable opponent for anyone they face.
