Maryland men’s basketball vs. No. 6 Virginia preview

The Maryland men's basketball team, featuring a new roster, suffered a disappointing 86-74 loss to Georgetown in their home opener on November 2, 2026. Head coach Buzz Williams criticized his team's performance, stating they lacked "near the gold attempts" needed to secure a victory. Maryland's rebounding efforts were slightly better than last season's matchup against Georgetown, but this did not make a significant difference in the outcome.

The Cavaliers, led by head coach Ryan Odom, enter this matchup as the No. 6 team in the country with a record of 30-6, 15-3 in the ACC. They have maintained their national relevance following the departure of former head coach Tony Bennett, despite roster changes. Virginia has dominated the season thus far, winning each game by at least 19 points, including an impressive 91-72 victory over then-No. 12 Arkansas.

Key players to watch for Maryland include Thijs De Ridder, a sophomore forward who has become a standout with his 3-point shooting and rebounding skills. De Ridder leads the team in rebounds and steals. Sam Lewis, a senior guard, is a key player for Virginia, averaging 15 points per game with a stellar 3-point shooting percentage and making all 15 of his free throws this season. Chance Mallory, a sophomore guard, has shown great potential with his three-point shooting, despite being shorter than his teammates.

For Maryland, the key areas to focus on include shaking up the starting five, improving their three-point shooting percentage, and taking advantage of the home crowd factor in their upcoming matchup against Virginia.