In College Park, Maryland, the catchy name “Crab Five” is gaining popularity for the University of Maryland’s starting basketball lineup. Initially puzzling for head coach Kevin Willard, the nickname finds inspiration from the local culinary icon, the crab, and plays on the historical “Fab Five” of Michigan fame.
Willard, who previously coached at Seton Hall and hails from Long Island, eventually embraced the tag. “I think it’s great,” he commented, reflecting on the clever twist integrating Maryland’s seafood staple.
Maryland’s starting five has been a scoring powerhouse, tallying an average of 69.2 points per game, ranking them as the leaders in the nation. The team has been increasingly reliant on these key players, with their bench contributing a mere 36 points over their last nine outings, yet the Terrapins have managed to secure victories in eight of those games, including an 83-75 triumph against Nebraska despite no points coming from substitutes.
As they prepare for a formidable challenge against No. 8 Michigan State, the “Crab Five” consisting of players Derik Queen, Julian Reese, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, and Selton Miguel find themselves at an exciting juncture. Maryland, currently in Willard’s third year of coaching, experienced a mixed past seasons with a tournament round finish in 2023 followed by a struggling campaign. The current lineup, keen on contending for the Big Ten title, stands two games behind leaders Michigan and Michigan State with four matches left.
During conference matchups, Maryland heavily leans on its starters, who chip in with 91.1% of the team’s points, a statistic only narrowly exceeded by Evansville in the Missouri Valley. Despite their shine, the “Crab Five” values teamwork. They emphasize the contribution of bench players, recognizing their importance even though they may not score heavily.
Gillespie, speaking on the camaraderie, reinforces the team’s collective spirit, saying, “It’s cool to have that nickname, but we do have a whole team. It isn’t just us out there.”
This cohesion manifests in balance on the scoreboard, where each starter averages between 11.9 and 15.9 points. Derik Queen, towering at 6-foot-10, leads as a top freshman, while Gillespie, Rice, and Miguel leverage their transfer experience on the perimeter. Julian Reese, the brother of WNBA sensation Angel Reese and a returning player, contributes significantly with an average of 14.0 points and a 59% field goal percentage.
Last year, the Terrapins struggled with their outside shooting, a flaw Willard decisively addressed. The current roster showcases strong perimeter abilities with Gillespie, Rice, and Miguel collectively shooting 40.9% from the 3-point line, adding a league-high 182 three-pointers.
Inside the paint, Reese and Queen form a formidable rebounding duo, topping the Big Ten with a combined 18.4 rebounds per game.
Reflecting on the team’s attitude, Willard praises, “They all have an unbelievably great attitude. They’re always smiling, they’re always laughing. Every one of them hasn’t had a bad day of practice.” Maryland now hopes to carry this winning formula forward as they aim for higher accolades in the season.
