Maryland Hosts Penn State in Sunday Matinee, Searching for First Big Ten Win
COLLEGE PARK, MD - It’s been a grind for Maryland men’s basketball, and the schedule isn’t letting up anytime soon. But before they hit the road again, the Terps get a key home matchup this Sunday as they welcome Penn State to the XFINITY Center.
Tip-off is set for noon, and the game will air on BTN. The broadcast will also feature the familiar voice of Johnny Holliday on the Maryland Sports Radio Network, joined by Chris Knoche and Walt Williams.
Both teams come into this one still searching for their first Big Ten win of the season, with Maryland sitting at 7-10 (0-6 B1G) and Penn State at 9-8 (0-6 B1G). For Maryland, this is their only home game in a brutal five-game stretch that includes three road games in just seven days. After Sunday, the Terps hit the road again to face Illinois and Michigan State - both ranked in the AP Top 25 - before returning home to host Purdue on February 1.
This season’s schedule has been one of the toughest Maryland has seen in decades. Four of their last six opponents have been ranked in the AP Top 25, and that trend isn’t slowing down. The last time the program faced anything close to this kind of gauntlet was way back in 1955-56, when they played four ranked teams in a six-game span, including Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan State, and George Washington.
By the end of the regular season, Maryland will have faced 10 AP-ranked opponents - the most since the 2003-04 campaign, when they squared off with 12. For a team trying to find its footing under a new head coach, that’s trial by fire.
Solomon Washington Stepping Up
One bright spot amid the adversity has been senior forward Solomon Washington. After missing the first eight games of the season due to injury, he’s made an immediate impact since returning in early December. In nine games, Washington is averaging 9.9 points and 9.2 rebounds - just shy of a double-double pace.
He made his Maryland debut on Dec. 2 against Wagner, posting 10 points and six boards. Since then, he’s notched two double-doubles, including a 13-point, 13-rebound performance against Old Dominion and a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds against Oregon. If he can maintain this level of production, he has a chance to become the first Terp to average a double-double over a full season since Jalen Smith in 2019-20 - and just the 23rd in program history to do it.
Washington’s presence in the lineup has brought much-needed toughness and veteran leadership to a team that’s been hit hard by injuries, including the loss of leading scorer Pharrel Payne, who has missed the last six games.
Elijah Saunders Finding His Rhythm
Another player trending upward is Elijah Saunders. The junior forward is coming off back-to-back strong performances, including his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds at UCLA. Over the two-game stretch against Indiana and UCLA, Saunders averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting an efficient 52% from the floor.
He now has six double-figure scoring games this season and two games with double-digit rebounds. As Maryland looks for consistent offensive production, Saunders’ recent surge could be a key factor moving forward.
Buzz Williams Building the Foundation
This season marks the beginning of a new era in College Park with Buzz Williams at the helm. Hired on April 2, 2025, Williams arrived after turning Texas A&M into a consistent NCAA Tournament team. His track record speaks for itself - he’s one of just 12 active Division I coaches to win a tournament game at three different programs, and he’s coached in 23 NCAA Tournament games, winning 12.
In November, Williams notched his 100th win at Texas A&M with a victory over Creighton, joining Tennessee’s Rick Barnes as the only active coaches with 100+ wins at three different Power Conference schools. Now, he’s aiming to become one of just three coaches in Division I history to reach the century mark at four different programs - a group that includes Maryland legend Lefty Driesell.
While the wins haven't come easily in his first season at Maryland, the foundation is being laid. The Terps have been competitive despite a brutal schedule and key injuries, and there’s a sense that the pieces are starting to come together.
What’s Next
After Sunday’s home game against Penn State, Maryland hits the road for two more Big Ten battles at Illinois and Michigan State. With a stretch of ranked opponents looming large, Sunday’s matchup offers a crucial opportunity to get into the win column in conference play and build some momentum.
It’s been a tough road so far, but with players like Washington and Saunders stepping up - and a proven leader in Buzz Williams guiding the way - the Terps are showing signs of life. Now, it’s about turning those flashes into wins.