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Maryland Men's Basketball Head Coach Kevin Willard and Virginia Men's Basketball Head Coach Tony Bennett — There is new competition in recruitment courses between Virginia and Maryland men’s basketball programs.

Courtesy of Maryland Athletics and USATSI

When Maryland left ACC for the Big Ten in 2014, the historic competition between Virginia and Maryland was essentially over. The Cavalier and Terrapin men’s basketball teams have met only twice since then, and UVA is widespread at College Park at both times. In most cases, there is no longer a spectacular hardwood battle between these two Demon Kings.

It didn’t prevent these two basketball programs from developing new rivals in different settings: recruitment trails.

Former Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard was hired as Maryland’s new men’s basketball head coach in March, quickly paving the way for hiring and expanding offers to nearly 40 prospects in the 2023 class. Did. Almost the opposite, focus on a few players and actively pursue each one.

Bennett and Willard overlap on three key goals for the 2023 recruitment class, and reports show that the 2024 class has some common players that both coaches have already contacted. increase.

Read more: Top 50 Guard Jayden Mustad Aiming for Potential Visits to UVA Basketball

Most notably, both Virginia and Maryland are finalists in the service of Jamie Kaiser, a 4-star wing from Burke, Virginia. One of the most coveted prospects in its 2023 class, Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Virginia)’s 6’6 “, £ 200 wing currently holds offers from nearly 40 programs. Is the second-ranked player in Virginia, the 14th-ranked small forward in the country, and the 75th-ranked overall player in the 2023 class, and these rankings could rise as Kaiser continues to impress this summer. There is sex.

“Maryland, University of California, Los Angeles, Indiana, Virginia, Miami-these are probably the top five,” Kaiser told Travis Branham at 247Sports this week. Perhaps the most talented player to get out of the DMV from this recruitment cycle, Virginia and Maryland deserve to be one of the leaders to land Kaiser’s commitment. Terrapin seems to be a strong candidate, but Kaiser certainly has a lot of respect for Tony Bennett, so Cavalier has a chance.

“Director Bennett is a great person,” Kaiser said. “He’s a winner, a two-time National Coach of the Year, and a champion. If he offers you, he doesn’t offer many kids, so respect it and do a little research. Must be. “

Kaiser hasn’t announced an exact appointment date yet, as he plans to make two official visits to Indiana and the University of California, Los Angeles this summer, but will make a university decision before the start of the school year. ..

Maryland is also believed to be popular for landing El Marco Jackson, a four-star security guard in South Kent, Connecticut. The 6’3 “, £ 185 combo guard reportedly narrowed the list from nearly 30 offers by the end of summer, the toughest in Maryland, Virginia, Miami, Indiana, UCLA, Ohio and Michigan. Adopted, and according to reports from VCU, ZagsBlog.

“I was talking to Tony Bennett and Vandros,” Jackson said this week. “They tell me how their program is running, the pillars of their program, how we expect us to be there as basketball players on and off the court. I’m doing it. “

Jackson is rated 3rd in Connecticut, 14th in the US Combo Guard, and 71st in the 2023 class overall outlook.

Read more: Virginia Basketball Recruitment: Search for UVA’s Next Point Guard

Virginia and Maryland are also looking for another 4-star combo guard, Freddie Dilione, from Raleigh, North Carolina. 247Sports rates Dillione as North Carolina’s number one prospect, fifteen combo guard, and country’s 72nd player.

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Virginia offered Dillione on May 4, and he soon planned a visit to Charlottesville next weekend. He will also take officials to Tennessee and VCU, which are informal visits to North Carolina, and will visit UConn in late July. One of the top scorers on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, Dillione has seen a significant increase in recruitment this summer and currently holds offers from more than 20 schools. North Carolina and Kentucky are the latest major programs of interest.

“We plan to reduce the list after the live,” Dilione told Sports Illustrated. “I don’t know if it will be more than five, but I have to withdraw it.”

Good news: Virginia got into Dilione relatively quickly and has had good relationships with UVA coaching staff. Bad news? Here’s what Dilione told On3 last week: “I like to play on fast-paced systems. Anyone with the ball goes. I like to play and read with pick and roll.” Obviously, Dirione and Virginia’s preferred style. Is not compatible. UVA is unlikely to be the place unless Dillione changes his mind in favor of “accepting the pace.” For him.

Tennessee and VCU are reported to be locked to make the final cut in Dilione, but UVA and Maryland continue to pursue it enthusiastically. As a result, Cavalier and Terrapin rarely face each other during the season, but their rivals are still alive and well, and they are on their way to hiring.

Update here for all the latest recruitment news for Virginia Basketball, including offers, visits and commitments. Latest Virginia Basketball Recruitment News and Updates

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Virginia and Maryland fight for top basketball new hires