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The discussion started last season and developed into the offseason: Hakim hart had grown a few inches, and his game was growing too.
The Philadelphia sophomore goaltender had struggled in limited playing time last year, especially with his shooting selection and an unusual looking form on his jumper, so many dismissed the conversation as too much gossip. rose during the off season which will not materialize.
“I’ll just let you see,” ringleader Eric Ayala Hart said a few weeks ago, as if he had a big secret to reveal.
The revelation came on Friday, when Hart scored 33 points on 11 of 13 shots in Maryland’s 90-65 win over Saint Peter’s. Reactions below:
Hart leaves on the first start … Not only did Hart come out of nowhere to score 33, but he did so on his first college debut. It’s a way to reward your coach’s faith.
The Guard’s previous career record 6-8 was 11 points last month against the Navy, and most of them came during a flurry of garbage when the game was out of control. His 33 points were the most by a Maryland player sthin Diamond stone scored 39 points on his Big Ten debut against Penn State in 2015. It wasn’t among the top 10 single-game scores in school history, but it tied the career high by Juan Dixon. Raise your hand if you expected Hakim hart and Juan Dixon to be mentioned in the same sentence this season.
Hart wasn’t a top-notch rookie, but he was an established player when he signed on for Maryland in April 2019. Standing 6-6 at the time, he averaged 21.1 points, 6 , 7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. as a senior to Roman Catholic (Pa.), who plays in the tough Catholic League of Philly. He also shot 40.6% from a distance of 3 points in his last seasons of high school basketball and AAU, combined.
BBut it was largely overlooked by reconnaissance services, ranked No. 467 in its class. And last year, despite growing to 6-8, he struggled for a few stints in the Maryland rotation, shooting 22% overall and 14.8% from 3 points.
But he showed signs of the bus within minutes of the start of the season, and Turgeon has more confidence in him than his production warrants. Her frenzy might not be recreated all season, but we’ve seen enough to indicate that Maryland has yet another weapon in an arsenal that looks a lot more powerful than expected. It also provides good ball handling and solid defense. He posted four flights today.
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Maryland has a good balance … Maryland came into the day with four other double-digit players, and Hart’s emergence – assuming the day didn’t turn out to be blurry – gives them even more balance than they seemed. This could end up being Turgeon’s most balanced team, even without the presence of a consistent post threat. This conclusion cannot be reached until they play against teams from the Big Ten, but they are simply overwhelming opponents with an attack that anyone on the pitch can access. two-digit notation. And some of these lesser-named teams that they’re beating, like Navy and St. Francis, aren’t scrub. They are respectable mid-major opponents.
Fellow Philly native Hart also played on Friday, scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds on a 4v4 shot. Together, childhood friends shot 15 of 17. Sometimes Scott looks like the best player in the world. Maryland. But this title seems to be changing game by game. 4 in 4 shooting. Jairus Hamilton added 15 points and Eric Ayala had 12, including an early frenzy that helped Maryland build a comfortable lead in the first half. Ayala’s toughness and improved athleticism were showcased when he propelled inside for a few layups and dived on the break while fouled up.
Maryland have had four or more double-digit goalscorers in every game this season
Turgeon continually changed his starting lineup … Early this season, and he did it again today, starting Ayala, Darryl Morsell, Hart, Hamilton and Galen smith. It was a surprise to see Aaron Wiggins reprising the role that earned him Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors last year.
Smith had two fouls in the first four minutes. Hart had a three on his first shot of the game to give Maryland a 9-2 lead. Moments later he made another one. With Maryland in an early 12-2 lead, the St. Peter coach Shaheen Holloway called timeout. But that didn’t help, as Turgeon switched to an all-field press during the timeout, the eErps immediately forced a roll and Ayala burst for a tomahawk dunk while being fouled for the bring to 14-2.
A few minutes later, Scott knocked down a three and began to take over on the glass. Despite his tweener height at 6-7, he is a force for attacking stray balls.
Chol Marian Checked halfway through the first half, backed up his man and floated in a slick hook to the left. Then he knocked the panel. But in the moments that followed, he bit off a false pump and jumped onto the back of a Saint Peter player, then noticed a three-second violation, prompting Turgeon to shoot him for Scott.
The Terps built a 21-11 lead midway through the first half. But they could have gotten away with the game without eight turnovers in the opening nine minutes, including two each by Wiggins, Hart and Morsell, the latter of whom committed three in the first three games combined.
Maryland lost none of their defensive focus when they were laid off between games. After St. Peter’s scored on their first possession, the Terps stifled them, holding them back 30% and forcing 10 turnovers in the half.
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The Terps had a slight drop in shooting coming out of the half, but it was Hart, Hamilton and Scott who got the ship right and continued their production from the first half. The Peacocks came out aggressive, but Hamilton scored seven straight points to counter the early attack and keep the Terps’ lead comfortable. Hart was exceptional at finding open windows around the perimeter, making himself available, and knocking down three. He arched his 33-point blast with back-to-back lay-ups in transition before Turgeon pulled the plug late in the game.
Scott had a flare in the second half where he operated the block back to the basket and scored over his left shoulder. With Maryland not having a score, he could help fill that role. Scott followed that possession by returning straight to the block, but this time he threaded the needle on a Hamilton cutting for an easy two.
This Saint Pierre team … wasn’t just another easy opponent outside of the conference. He had a tough win over LaSalle and pushed St. John’s to the limit in a one-point loss. That the Terps looked as dominant as they did was a positive sign. The ball continues to move offensively until it generates an open shot, and each player benefits. Ayala, Hamilton, Hart and Scott combine for 74 of 90 of 22 of 32 (68.4 percent) from the field.
There’s not much to complain about in a 36-point victory, but it’s worth noting that Turgeon adjusted the starting lineup and Wiggins came off the bench. The move could have been made to make Wiggins feel more comfortable, as he was very successful as a sixth man last season. It looks like Wiggins struggles with confidence and it shows in his performance as he finished with five points, all coming from the free throw line. He did a good job, however, getting into the paint and making open shots for others, as indicated by his six assists. He’s taken on more of a playmaker role lately.
The Terps don’t have long to celebrate their victory as they will head to James Madison for another 3pm tip tomorrow. The Dukes (2-1) have just won an 18-point victory over Radford.
Colby Giacubeno contributed to this report.
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