The chemistry between Derik Queen and Julian Reese has impressed Maryland coach Kevin Willard so far this season.
Both big men have flourished sharing the court for the Terrapins ahead of Wednesday’s home game against Bucknell in College Park, Md.
Reese was Maryland’s main man on the low block last season before Queen arrived this year as one of the nation’s most touted freshmen. With Reese listed at 6-foot-9, 252 pounds and Queen measuring 6-foot-10, 246, Willard was concerned how well the two would mesh playing so close to each other near the basket.
They have done just fine through six games. Queen leads the team with 16.2 points per game and averages 7.8 rebounds, while Reese chips in 13.2 points and paces the Terrapins (5-1) with 9.3 boards per game.
But the duo’s chemistry is most apparent to Willard through another part of their game.
“They’re both such good passers,” Willard said. “I think they have a really good feel for where the other guy is (on the court). They’re both unselfish.”
Reese averages just 1.0 assist per game, but Queen dishes 2.7 per contest and had a season-high five helpers in Sunday’s 76-75 win over Villanova in Newark, N.J. Queen finished with 22 points and hit two free throws with 19 seconds left that proved to be the winning points. He added 11 rebounds, while Reese bundled 18 points with 10 boards and two assists.
The Terrapins will aim to avoid a letdown against a Bison team that scored their season-low total in a 57-53 home loss to Rider on Saturday. Josh Bascoe tallied 13 points as Bucknell’s only scorer in double figures.
The Bison (4-3) had won their last two games, including an 81-64 victory over visiting NJIT on Thursday.
Bucknell relies on a balanced offense — center Noah Williamson (16.9 points per game), guard Bascoe (14.9) and forward Ian Motta (11.8) are the team’s top scorers. Four other players average at least six points per game.
“One of our strengths as a team is that we’ve got guys who can do a little bit of everything, from the (center) to the (point guard),” guard Achile Spadone (7.4 points per game) said after the win over NJIT.
–Field Level Media
