After a rough ride in Las Vegas, Maryland basketball returns home Tuesday night with a chance to hit the reset button. The Terps went 1-2 at the Players Era Festival, opening with a solid win over UNLV before running into a pair of buzzsaws in Gonzaga and Alabama. Those back-to-back 30-point losses stung, no doubt-but now, with Wagner coming to town, Maryland has a real opportunity to regroup and refocus before Big Ten play begins.
Tip-off is set for 8:00 PM, and the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
Let’s be clear: Wagner isn’t Gonzaga or Alabama. The Seahawks are 1-5 and coming off a 17-point loss to Georgetown.
But this isn’t a game Maryland can take lightly, especially given how shaky the Terps have been defending the three-point line. Wagner’s perimeter shooting could turn this into a trickier test than the records suggest.
One major development to watch is the expected return of senior forward Solomon Washington, who’s been sidelined all season with an ankle injury. His presence could be a big boost for a Maryland defense that’s been inconsistent at best.
Washington brings athleticism, physicality, and-maybe most importantly-communication. Even if he’s still knocking off some rust, his ability to anchor the back line and close out on shooters could be exactly what this team needs.
This game also serves as a tune-up for Saturday’s Big Ten opener at Iowa, and getting Washington back into game shape will be a key part of that. But it’s not just about him-this is a chance for the entire defense to tighten things up.
Wagner, for all its early-season struggles, can shoot the ball. They come in hitting 41.4% from deep as a team, which makes them one of the better three-point shooting squads Maryland has seen so far. That’s a concern for a Terps team that’s been slow on closeouts and has allowed too many clean looks from beyond the arc.
The Seahawks are led by Nick Jones, a local product out of Parkville High School and a former standout at Harcum College. He’s averaging 16.7 points per game and shooting 40% from three.
Alongside him is junior guard Eddie Placer, a USC Upstate transfer who’s been even sharper from long range, knocking down 48.1% of his threes while averaging 11.2 points per game. If Maryland doesn’t clean up its perimeter defense, these two could make things uncomfortable.
Still, there were some silver linings from the Vegas trip-specifically, the emergence of two freshmen who look like they’re ready for more.
Darius Adams is starting to find his rhythm. He went 9-for-20 from three in the three games out west, scored in double figures each time, and notched his first 20-point game.
His shot looks confident, and he’s not hesitating to take it. For a Maryland offense that’s still trying to find consistency, Adams’ growth is a welcome development.
Then there’s Aleks Alston, who quietly put together a productive stretch in Vegas. He averaged over 21 minutes per game and brought energy every time he stepped on the floor.
Against UNLV, he chipped in 6 points and 6 boards, and followed that with 8 points and 7 rebounds against Alabama. He’s outplayed starter Elijah Saunders over the last few games, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if his role continues to expand.
Tuesday’s matchup offers another opportunity for Alston to show what he can bring-versatility, activity, and a nose for the ball.
So while the Terps are favored and should take care of business against Wagner, this game is about more than just the final score. It’s a chance to get right defensively, reintegrate a key veteran, and keep building momentum for the freshmen who’ve started to flash real potential. With Iowa looming, Maryland can’t afford to overlook anything right now.