Maryland Falls to No. 23 Virginia: A Rivalry Renewed, and a Reality Check Delivered
For the first time in six years, Maryland men’s basketball squared off against No. 23 Virginia, reigniting a regional rivalry that once burned hot.
But much like a long-dormant flame, it took a while for this one to catch fire. And when it did, it was Virginia who turned up the heat.
What started as a gritty, low-scoring battle eventually tilted hard in the Cavaliers’ favor, with a second-half 15-2 run that broke the game open and left Maryland chasing smoke. The final score - 80-72 - doesn’t quite capture how quickly things unraveled for the Terps after halftime.
Unlike their previous loss to Michigan, which had flashes of promise despite the result, this one felt like a step backward. Let’s dive into what we learned.
1. A Classic “Buzz Ball” Battle - Until the Wheels Fell Off
This was a strange one. For a while, it looked like the kind of game Maryland head coach Buzz Williams lives for - slow, physical, defensive, and ugly in the best possible way.
Virginia, now under Ryan Odom and known for its high-octane offense, suddenly found itself dragged into the mud. Through the first 20 minutes, the Cavaliers shot just 9-of-33 from the field and hit only one three-pointer.
It was a throwback to the Tony Bennett era - only this time, it wasn’t by design.
Maryland’s defense did its job early, forcing Virginia into tough looks and keeping the game within reach. The rebounding battle was especially telling.
At halftime, there were more combined offensive rebounds than defensive ones - a stat that speaks to just how chaotic and physical the first half was. Even without Pharrel Payne, their best rebounder, Maryland pulled down 17 offensive boards to Virginia’s 18 defensive.
But then came the second half, and with it, a completely different Virginia team. The Cavaliers shot a blistering 21-of-33 after the break, slicing up Maryland’s defense with sharp cuts, clean passes, and a whole lot of Dallin Hall.
The graduate point guard torched the Terps for 18 second-half points, going a perfect 6-of-6 from inside the arc. It was a masterclass in mid-game adjustment - and Maryland had no answer.
Despite being outplayed, Maryland didn’t fold. The effort was there, the intensity was there, but the execution?
That’s still a work in progress. And in a transition year under Williams, that’s something he’ll want to see improve fast.
2. Life Without Pharrel Payne Is a Problem
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Maryland’s frontcourt was exposed without Pharrel Payne in the lineup. The Terps struggled to contain Virginia inside, giving up a staggering 44 points in the paint. The Cavaliers moved the ball with purpose, and Maryland’s rotations simply weren’t quick enough to stop the bleeding.
George Turkson Jr. got the start, but the redshirt freshman never found his footing. He managed just one point and five rebounds, and his size didn’t translate into the kind of physical presence Maryland needed down low.
Elijah Saunders looked uncomfortable operating near the rim, and while Solomon Washington brings value as a switchable defender, anchoring him in the paint limits what he does best. Collin Metcalf, who might be the most traditional big of the bunch, gave them two offensive rebounds in six minutes - and not much else.
Without Payne, Maryland’s interior defense was a step slow, and Virginia took full advantage. The Cavaliers consistently found open looks at the rim, often off crisp ball movement that left Maryland scrambling.
It wasn’t just about size - it was about positioning, timing, and toughness. And right now, the Terps are missing all three in the paint when Payne isn’t on the floor.
3. The Guards Show Flashes - But Consistency Remains Elusive
With the frontcourt undermanned, Maryland needed its guards to step up. The results were mixed - and that’s putting it lightly.
Diggy Coit, the lone true point guard available with Guillermo Del Pino sidelined, had a first half to forget. No points, one turnover, zero assists, and two fouls.
But credit to him - he flipped the switch after halftime. Coit poured in 15 points and dished out six assists in the second half, showing the kind of offensive command that makes you believe he can be a foundational piece for this program.
We’ve seen the highs: 41 points against Mount St. Mary’s, 31 against Michigan.
But we’ve also seen the lows - games where he disappears entirely. Maryland needs more of the former and less of the latter, especially with so much offensive responsibility now falling on his shoulders.
Myles Rice had a hot start, knocking down two quick buckets early. But after that?
He went 1-for-8 from the field and turned the ball over three times. His four assists were offset by those miscues, and the offense seemed to sputter whenever he tried to take control.
Andre Mills and Darius Adams continue to be volume shooters from deep - but the efficiency just isn’t there. Mills is shooting 23% from beyond the arc, Adams slightly better at 24.5%.
With those numbers, it’s tough to justify the green light they seem to have. Maryland doesn’t need hero ball from its wings - it needs smart, efficient play that complements Coit’s creativity and keeps the offense flowing.
The problem is, without Payne anchoring the paint, Maryland can’t afford to wait for one guard to get hot. They need multiple guys to show up every night. And so far, that consistency just hasn’t materialized.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shame in losing to a ranked Virginia team, especially one that’s starting to find its rhythm under a new head coach. But this one stings a bit more for Maryland - not because of the margin, but because of what it revealed.
The Terps are still figuring out who they are without their best big man. The frontcourt is thin, the guard play is streaky, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
But there’s a silver lining: the fight is still there. Williams has instilled a toughness in this group, and they’re not backing down - even when overmatched.
That identity will be crucial as Maryland navigates the rest of the season. Because until Payne returns, the Terps will need to win ugly. And right now, they’re learning just how hard that can be.