Chemistry building between Maryland's dynamic backcourt duo

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- There was plenty for Terps fans to cheer about in Maryland’s 79-65 victory over Butler in College Park Nov. 15, but perhaps the most exciting aspect of Mark Turgeon’s team so far this year has been his dynamic backcourt duo that is comprised of two underclassmen--sophomore Anthony Cowan and freshman Darryl Morsell.

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In the Terps’ Gavitt Games showdown with the Bulldogs, Cowan led all scorers with 25 points while posting his first career double-double by also grabbing 10 rebounds. Morsell was the Terps second leading scorer and proved why he should be considered one of the Big Ten’s premier freshman talents with his 13 points, two assists, two blocks, and a steal in his 25 minutes of action off the bench for Maryland. The two Terps guards were also extremely efficient, shooting 11-for-18 from the floor and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc combined.

Cowan is locked in as Maryland’s starting point guard, while Morsell will likely provide a spark off the bench most games and perhaps shift into a starting role occasionally depending on the Terps opponent. But it was evident Wednesday night that when the two of them are on the floor together, Maryland plays some of its best basketball.

“I love it,” Cowan said. “I think we build off of each other’s energy. We just talk during the game and say little hype things to hype each other up, so it’s a lot of fun. I think we’re going to continue to do that throughout the season.”

Morsell also acknowledged his growing chemistry with Cowan, who is also his roommate, and said the two of them are in sync on the court right now and know how to get the best out of each other.

MORE: Cowan leads Terps past Butler with first career double-double | Instant Analysis: Maryland 79, Butler 65 | WATCH: Turgeon talks Butler win

“We just motivate each other,” Morsell said. “We’ve got a great bond. We know what makes each other tick. Whether it’s saying something bad or picking each other up when we’re down, we know we have a great relationship, so we know what gets each other going.”

But Cowan and Morsell’s bond began to grow well before either of them arrived in College Park. Both were highly touted, local recruits who represent Baltimore (Morsell) and D.C. (Cowan) and the two of them even played for the same AAU program at one time, which is when Morsell first realized Cowan’s knack for making plays.

“I’ve been watching Anthony since I was little,” Morsell said. “We both played on DC Assault. He’s a big-time player. He has always made big-time shots his whole life. He always shines under the big lights, so I expect it.”

Morsell’s history of witnessing Cowan hit big shots explains why he said he was confident as soon as the ball left Cowan’s hands on a 30-foot three-point attempt that found the bottom of the net and helped the Terps extend their second-half lead on Butler to double-digits--a shot that Turgeon referred to afterward as “the shot of the game.”

“The shot of the game was Anthony’s,” Turgeon said. “We had nothing going and it was a six-point, seven-point game and he hits the three from 30 feet. He hit a few of those. Those are the ones he makes though, with the shot clock going down. So he was terrific. He was really good.”

While Cowan provided most of the scoring for the Terps in what was perhaps their biggest out-of-conference test of the season, Morsell and fellow freshman Bruno Fernando brought the physicality that helped Maryland win the battle on the boards by a wide margin and keep their foot on the gas in the second half.

“That’s the reason [Turgeon] brought me here, for my toughness,” Morsell said. “So that’s something I pride myself on.”

The combination of Cowan and Morsell in the backcourt appears to be one that could take the Terps a long way this season. Their effort and skill on both ends of the floor were apparent in Maryland’s biggest game of the season so far, and if they can keep this up they will quickly become two of the most highly respected guards in the Big Ten, and perhaps even the country.