Maryland takes on UMES in finale before conference play

Field Level Media|published: Fri 27th December, 12:52 2024

Dec 17, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Selton Miguel (9) shoots the ball during the second half against the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

One of four transfers in the backcourt for Maryland, Selton Miguel had the most difficulty blending with his mates early this season.

But Miguel's days of disconnection appear to be over. He enters in peak form as Maryland (10-2) faces Maryland Eastern Shore (4-11) in its final non-conference test on Saturday in College Park.

The South Florida transfer is coming off his top two performances in a Terrapins uniform, scoring 24 points each in decisive wins over Saint Francis (Pa.) and Syracuse.

In the two games, Miguel made 18 of 24 shots (75 percent) from the floor and 10 of 15 (66.7 percent) from 3-point range.

It has been an about-face from his first six games, when Miguel averaged 8.2 points and made 5 of 20 shots (25 percent) from deep.

"To Selton's credit, he has stayed extremely positive. His work ethic has been great," Maryland coach Kevin Willard said. "You're just seeing the result now of him just getting a little more comfortable in the things we're doing."

Belmont transfer Ja'Kobi Gillespie has helped facilitate Miguel's rise. In the 87-60 romp over Syracuse in the Gotham Classic last Saturday, Gillespie had 17 points and a career-high 11 assists.

"Ja'Kobi is starting to realize, as a point guard, who's hot," Willard said. "He's doing a phenomenal job finding guys."

Maryland enters in high gear as it has the highest scoring margin in Division I at 27.1 points per game.

Saturday will be a daunting task for Maryland Eastern Shore, which is 0-11 against Division I schools this season and 0-18 all-time against the Terrapins.

The Hawks have an entirely new roster under first-year coach Cleo Hill Jr. and are led by Ketron Shaw, who followed Hill from Division II power Winston-Salem State.

Shaw paces the Hawks in points (19.5), rebounds (5.9), assists (3.2) and steals (0.9) per game. He shares the backcourt with Evan Johnson, formerly of Georgia State and UNC Asheville, who averages 13.2 points.

"It has been a challenging semester both on and off the court for our guys," Hill said. "We continue to learn and get better."

--Field Level Media

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