Maryland Basketball Hits Rock Bottom in East Lansing Blowout, Buzz Williams Reflects and Looks Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it - Maryland basketball hit a wall on Saturday, and it wasn’t just any wall. It was a 43-point sledgehammer delivered by Michigan State in East Lansing.
The 91-48 loss wasn’t just another tough night on the road - it was historic for all the wrong reasons. The Terps suffered the largest margin of defeat in a conference game in program history, and now sit at 8-12 overall, with a 1-8 mark in Big Ten play.
That’s 11 double-digit losses in 20 games.
Head coach Buzz Williams didn’t mince words when he joined The Vinny and Haynie Show on 105.7 The Fan Monday morning. When asked if this was the kind of game you just burn the tape and move on from, his answer was short and honest: “Absolutely.”
A Schedule That’s Taken Its Toll
Williams pointed to the grind of the schedule - three games in six days - as one of several factors contributing to the team’s flat performance. But he didn’t offer it as an excuse. Instead, he acknowledged the need to keep searching for solutions.
“Is it, ‘Find ways to improve relative to where we're at and what we need to accomplish?’ Yes it is,” Williams said.
“Is there a trick? I don’t think that there’s a trick.”
The Terps have been tinkering on both ends of the floor - trying to find the right combinations, the right rhythm, the right identity. But Saturday’s performance showed just how far they still have to go.
The Illinois and Michigan State Contrast
While the Michigan State game was a blowout from the jump, the prior matchup against Illinois offered at least some competitive stretches. Williams noted that Maryland executed well at times in Champaign, especially in terms of ball security - just five turnovers in the first half, and none in the second. But the battle on the boards was another story.
Illinois torched Maryland from deep, hitting 10 threes in the first half and five more in the second. Combine that with total dominance on the glass, and the Terps couldn’t keep pace.
Against Michigan State, the challenge shifted from perimeter shooting to sheer physicality and pace. The Spartans are elite on the boards - No. 1 in defensive rebounding and No. 3 in offensive rebounding nationally - and they play fast. That combination overwhelmed Maryland from the opening tip.
“Our transition defense was not good at all, and we did a really poor job on the glass,” Williams said. “Their physicality, their length, and their athleticism overwhelmed us almost from start to finish.”
Jeremy Fears Jr. and the Spartans’ Transition Attack
One player who stood out in Michigan State’s win was guard Jeremy Fears Jr., whose impact went beyond the box score. Williams highlighted Fears’ ability to push the tempo with what he called “incredible glide speed,” forcing Maryland to react quickly - often unsuccessfully - in transition.
“He has the highest usage rate of any guard in the Big Ten,” Williams said. “Whether it was a make or a miss, you’ve got to find a way to corral him and try to get the ball to a side.”
Fears isn’t just a scorer. It’s his decision-making that makes him dangerous.
He consistently finds teammates in scoring positions - whether it’s a lob, a layup, or a quick pass ahead for a catch-and-shoot three. His connection with big man Jaxon Kohler, who often initiates the outlet pass, adds another layer to Michigan State’s transition machine.
Looking Ahead to Purdue
Next up for Maryland? Purdue.
And while the Boilermakers present a very different challenge than Michigan State, they’re no less formidable. Williams is already deep into his prep, revisiting last year’s neutral-site matchup and studying how Purdue’s system continues to evolve.
“They run more sets than any team in our league to utilize their skill, to utilize their talent,” Williams said. “The pace of the game will be dramatically different than it was Saturday in East Lansing.”
Purdue head coach Matt Painter has built a powerhouse by doing things his own way - a methodical, structured approach that stands in contrast to the fast-paced, physical style of Michigan State. Williams praised Painter’s consistency and long-term success, calling him a “first ballot Hall of Famer.”
Braden Smith: The Engine Behind Purdue
One player who’s caught Williams’ eye is Purdue guard Braden Smith. The sophomore has carved out a reputation as one of the most efficient and intelligent floor generals in the country. Williams didn’t hesitate to put Smith in elite company.
“I don’t know if he’s the best - I think everybody has a different thought on who they think the best is - but it’s hard to say he’s not one of the best that’s ever played the position during his time at Purdue,” Williams said.
Smith’s combination of statistical production and intangible leadership has made him the heartbeat of this Purdue team. And while the Boilermakers have plenty of talent, it’s Smith’s poise and decision-making that often set the tone.
The Road Ahead
With 11 games left in the regular season, Maryland is searching for answers. The road doesn’t get any easier, but Williams is staying focused on the task at hand - finding ways to improve, even when the scoreboard says otherwise.
“There is no script to that,” Williams said, reflecting on the intensity required to compete in the Big Ten. “The force that you have to play with and the gravity that you have to control… that’s what [Michigan State] did on Saturday, from start to finish.”
For Maryland, the challenge now is to regroup, reset, and find a way to respond. The tape from East Lansing may be headed straight for the trash, but the lessons - as painful as they are - still need to be learned.