Kevin Willard Weighs in on Rutgers, Seton Hall, and the Changing Landscape of College Hoops
Kevin Willard may have left New Jersey three years ago, but he’s still keeping a close eye on the Garden State basketball scene. Now leading 18th-ranked Maryland, Willard is preparing his squad for a Big Ten battle against Rutgers this weekend. But beyond that, he remains deeply invested in the fate of Seton Hall, where his former assistant and successor, Shaheen Holloway, is navigating one of the toughest seasons in program history.
When talking about Rutgers, Willard couldn’t help but admire the rapid development of Steve Pikiell’s young squad, particularly freshman sensations Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. He knows firsthand how tough it is to lead a freshman-heavy team, recalling how it took two seasons for his Seton Hall group, led by Isaiah Whitehead and Angel Delgado, to break through and win the 2016 Big East Tournament. But he sees Rutgers trending in the right direction. The biggest transformation, in his eyes, has been on the defensive end—what started as a scattered effort has now become a much more connected and disciplined unit. "It’s night and day," Willard said, emphasizing the team’s growth and Pikiell’s patience in letting his players develop.
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On the Seton Hall side, Willard is well aware of the struggles Holloway has faced this season. With the Pirates sitting at 6-17 overall and 1-11 in the Big East, it’s been a rough road. Willard has reached out to his former assistant multiple times with words of encouragement, fully believing that Holloway will turn things around. He understands the challenges of the modern college basketball era, where NIL deals and the transfer portal have changed the game completely. Willard himself had to navigate some rough seasons before leading Seton Hall to six NCAA Tournament appearances, and he believes Holloway will figure it out too. "He’s a Seton Hall Pirate through and through," Willard said. "I would not bet against Shaheen Holloway."
Willard’s insight into today’s college basketball landscape goes beyond just individual teams—he understands how the entire approach to program-building has shifted. Gone are the days when a coach could just develop a roster over time. Now, he describes his role more like that of a general manager, balancing transfers, NIL investments, and roster construction with a strategic approach. After each season, he and his staff break down what worked, what didn’t, and how to allocate resources better. "You can’t just wing it anymore," Willard explained. "The winging-it days are long gone."
At the end of the day, college basketball is evolving fast, and the programs that adapt will be the ones that thrive. Whether it’s Rutgers’ growth under Pikiell, Seton Hall’s rebuilding efforts under Holloway, or Maryland’s own approach to staying competitive, one thing is clear—nobody can afford to stand still in today’s game.
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