Blessed with the nation’s highest-scoring starting unit, it was only a matter of time before Maryland dusted off an old nickname and bestowed it on its new group of stars.
The Terrapins’ second edition of “The Crab Five” is Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Selton Miguel, Derik Queen, Julian Reese and Rodney Rice. They average a combined 70.4 points per game, which is more than any power conference quintet.
With its starters in high gear, No. 16 Maryland (21-6, 11-5 Big Ten) has won four in a row and eight of its last nine entering Wednesday’s matchup with No. 8 Michigan State (22-5, 13-3) in College Park, Md.
Maryland’s original Crab Five was a group of highly touted recruits from the 2012 class that had mixed success, led by former NBA reserve Jake Layman. Thirteen years later, the new Crab Five has more staying power.
The Terrapins have flashed remarkable cohesion considering they start three transfers in the backcourt and a freshman in the frontcourt in Queen, who leads the team in scoring at 15.9 points per game as he races up NBA draft boards.
In three straight games, each member of the starting five has scored in double figures.
Last Thursday, after Maryland’s 88-71 victory over Southern California, when he was asked if he had any concern that his bench contributed just three points, coach Kevin Willard had a one-word answer.
“No,” he said.
Willard is more effusive when discussing the progress of the starting five.
“I just like the way they’re playing,” Willard said. “I think they do have a lot of confidence. I like our defensive intensity. More than anything, I like the fact that I can throw the ball inside on a consistent basis.”
Getting the ball to its big men has served Maryland well during its current four-game winning streak. The Terps are averaging 90.5 points per game with Reese making 22 of 34 shots (64.7 percent) and Queen connecting on 29 of 45 (64.4 percent).
On Wednesday, Michigan State will try to counter Maryland’s star power inside with a deep rotation of imposing frontcourt players including 7-footer Szymon Zapala, 6-11 Carson Cooper, 6-11 Xavier Booker and 6-9 Jaxon Kohler.
The foursome averages a combined 23.8 points and 19.1 rebounds per game.
The Spartans are in high gear, too, coming off wins over then-No. 13 Purdue and then-No. 12 Michigan that have propelled them to the top of the Big Ten standings.
Freshman Jase Richardson has evolved into the Spartans’ top threat, averaging 17.2 points in the last five games on 29 of 53 shooting (54.7 percent).
“Jase Richardson was phenomenal,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said after Richardson had 21 points and three steals in Friday’s 75-62 victory at Michigan. “I actually think he took another big step today, believe it or not, not just in his play but in the other parts of his game.”
Richardson’s progress has taken some of the scoring load off Jaden Akins (13.0 ppg) and given freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (5.8 apg) another reliable wing to look to.
Michigan State has won the last six meetings — though none by more than 10 points — and leads the series 16-8.
–Field Level Media
