When it was time for Julian Reese to walk off the Xfinity Center court for the last time as a Terp, he put his hands up to the crowd and Selton Miguel placed an imaginary crown on his head.
The senior big man walked to Maryland men’s basketball’s bench and gave each coach a bear hug, none longer than his extended embrace with Kevin Willard. Reese, who Willard has called his “safety blanket” throughout the season, once again earned that label in the Terps’ 74-61 win over Northwestern on Saturday.
The Baltimore native recorded a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. When the Terps’ offense appeared lifeless, Willard often looked to get the ball inside to Reese. He also made 11 free throws on 13 attempts — emblematic of his growth during his four years with the program.
“If he didn’t play as physical as he played, we would’ve struggled to win this game,” Willard said. “I think he really embraced his last time being here.”
Reese’s brilliance helped the Terps (24-7, 14-6 Big Ten) secure their best total and conference record since having an identical finish in 2019-20, when they won a share of the Big Ten regular season title. Maryland also clinched a top-three finish in the Big Ten and a double bye in the conference tournament.
The game started with baskets from two Terps playing their last games at Xfinity Center — a Miguel 3-pointer and a Reese and-one.
[Julian Reese had every reason to leave Maryland. He cemented his legacy instead.]
Reese ignited the crowd with a two-handed dunk less than three minutes later. But besides those few bright spots, Maryland started off slow.
The Terps recorded seven turnovers in the game’s opening 10 minutes, allowing the Wildcats to score seven points off turnovers and five in transition. Maryland ended the half with the same number of giveaways as made baskets (11) and shot just 1-of-5 from beyond the arc.
“We played Wednesday night, so I knew we were going to be … emotional and flat,” Willard said. “Just being at home really helped.”
Reese established his presence inside early, leading the Terps with 11 points at the break on six shots. The senior’s prowess largely contributed to Maryland outscoring Northwestern 18-12 in the paint in the first half.
But Northwestern leading scorer Nick Martinelli almost single-handedly kept his team close. The junior forward, who was averaging 19.9 points entering play, scored 16 of the Wildcats’ 29 first-half points and played all 20 minutes. Maryland brought a 32-29 lead into the break.
Maryland’s offense once again labored to start the second half — a pair of Miguel 3-pointers were its only baskets in the opening seven minutes. Reese and Derik Queen struggled in particular, with neither big man making a field goal in the first 10 minutes.
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A couple big 3-pointers from junior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and sophomore guard Rodney Rice gave the Terps some life after an extended lull midway through the period. Those baskets were part of a 14-4 Maryland run in which it built up a nine-point lead after trailing six minutes prior.
Queen, who’s often been the Terps’ primary option offensively, took just seven shots, his lowest total since a Feb. 6 loss to Ohio State. The freshman expended lots of energy guarding Martinelli in the second half — he ended the afternoon with 28 points.
Willard, who said he voted Martinelli All-Big Ten first team, added he’s “not a good matchup for anybody.” But the Wildcats only had one other player reach double figures and were held to 32.7 percent shooting outside of him.
“That kid’s a warrior … Without Nick Martinelli, that team wouldn’t win a game,” Willard said. “Without him, [coach Chris Collins] would have no chance just because of the injuries they’ve had.”
But Martinelli’s performance didn’t steal the spotlight on Maryland’s senior day. In Reese’s final time at Xfinity Center, he walked out with a win.
“I was really grateful that the fans came out to see me. A lot of people had my number on,” Reese said. “It’s just great that I can have that impact on peoples’ lives like that.”
