In a sport that focuses on March and ends in April, the journey begins in early November with what I like to call the “bread course” of college basketball.

Many men's and women's seasons begin Monday evening and most will be in full swing this weekend. Let's begin the WTOP preview week.

Maryland started last season with the promise that senior guard Jahmir Young would direct an offense that featured Julian Reese in the post and a freshman class that head coach Kevin Willard touted as one of his best ever, only to realize early on , that something important was missing from the equation: shooting, especially from 3-point range.

Losses to Davidson, UAB and Villanova in November, in which the Terps made just 16 of 76 attempts (21%) from beyond the arc, set the tone that continued throughout the season. Maryland ranked 350th out of 363 schools shooting 28.9% from downtown, which affected the rest of the offense (328th in shooting and 299th in scoring) and helped the program post a record of 16- 17 scored.

But there's a new feeling at Xfinity Center this fall. And a lot of that starts with getting a big man from Baltimore to cure many of the offensive maladies that plagued this program last winter. Enter 6-foot-2 freshman Derik Queen, whose presence in the post will likely attract double teams and provide a better look on the perimeter.

“Derik is a top 10 player. If I were an NBA GM, I would pick him in a heartbeat,” Willard said at Maryland Media Day last month. “I think there is a big difference in that he is a once-in-a-lifetime generational talent. He’s the most talented big man I’ve ever seen on the field.”

Queen has already made an impression on his teammates.

“Great player, on and off the pitch. “Great kid, always great attitude,” Reese said. “Just down to earth – a sponge. Just willing to learn all day, every day.”

Reese ranked second on the team in scoring last year (13.7 points per game) and led the team in rebounding (9.5) and blocks (1.9). As a senior, the forward from Baltimore doesn't just want to be a leader in stats.

“I just make sure I stay in the game, stay out of foul trouble (he fouled out three times last season and had four fouls in nine other games) and do things that help the team win,” Reese said. “At the end of the day, I’m more of a vocal leader rather than just leading in one direction and leading only in those aspects,” he said.

Also returning is sophomore guard DeShawn Harris-Smith.

“He came home last year with great expectations. I thought he had a very good year, but he wasn't that good at basketball (36% from the field and 20% from three) and that weighed on him a little bit,” Willard said. “He's kind of managed to stop focusing on his shooting and focus more on just being the playmaker that we know he is.” And I just think that's what he does will help tremendously to have such a better year.”

The Woodbridge, Virginia native won a lot in his first season, which will help him this winter. “I felt like last year if I turned the ball over or missed a shot, I would ruin myself,” Harris-Smith said. “And if I made a good play, I would get too excited and then the next play I would get too aggressive or just play a little out of control. So I feel like I just need to stay relaxed and balanced throughout the season.”

Leading the offense this fall is Belmont transfer Ja'Kobi Gillespie, who averaged 17 points and four assists last season at the Missouri Valley Conference school. And while he isn't expected to match Jahmir Young's numbers (20 points per game), the former Bruin fits his coach's expectations.

“You will not replace Jahmir, and that is not Ja'Kobi's job. “The biggest thing for us with Ja'Kobi was getting someone who has a high scoring rate from the three-point line and a guy who has played at a pretty good level and is used to physicality,” Willard said. “He’s really, really good defensively.”

Highlights of the schedule include a Nov. 15 home game against Marquette, while the league slate begins with dates in December against Ohio State and at No. 14 Purdue. The new Big Ten is now bringing UCLA and USC to College Park.

But even with the expanded league, the space remains the same: 94 by 50 feet.

“They are very focused. Returning players Julian (Reese) and DeShawn (Harris-Smith) are very focused on the fact that we had a very disappointing year last year,” Willard said. “Far below our goals and expectations. And I think this group has been very focused from day one on making sure that everything we do is aimed at making sure we have the best year possible.”

The year begins on Monday at 7 p.m. against Manhattan

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