Maryland men’s basketball now has its 2026-27 Big Ten path in place, and the opening stretch sets the tone right away for year two of the Buzz Williams era.
The conference slate begins on the road Dec. 6 at Ohio State, giving the Terps a quick trip to Columbus to open league play. From there, Maryland returns to College Park for its home conference opener against Michigan State, a matchup that arrives with fans still on campus. The nonconference portion around that stretch includes Morgan State, South Carolina in Baltimore, and Radford before the Terps jump back into Big Ten play.
The first run through the league also brings the two Big Ten programs from California to College Park. Maryland hosts UCLA on Jan. 2 and USC on Jan. 5, with the USC game carrying an extra wrinkle: it will be the first game back for former Maryland guard Rodney Rice since he entered the transfer portal a second time and landed with the Trojans before injuries derailed his 2025-26 season.
Maryland’s exhibition schedule is already set, too. The Terps will face Georgia Tech on Sunday, Oct. 11, at UMBC’s Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena at 4:30 p.m., then host West Virginia the following Sunday, Oct. 18, at XFINITY Center. Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said last month his team will scrimmage Maryland ahead of the regular season, but that game is not listed in the release.
The full schedule also includes the usual broadcast setup on the Maryland Sports Radio Network with Johnny Holliday, Chris Knoche, and Walt Williams on the call. And this season comes with a built-in celebration: Maryland will mark the 25th anniversary of its 2002 NCAA National Championship with a year-long commemoration presented by Northrop Realty. The release says home games will feature special promotions, giveaways, player appearances, autograph sessions, and more tied to the milestone.
Here’s how the Terps’ 2026-27 schedule lays out:
Oct. 11: Georgia Tech (scrimmage), Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena - 4:30 PM
Oct. 18: WVU (scrimmage)
Nov. 2: Bucknell
Nov. 7: at Georgetown, Capital One Arena
Nov. 13: Virginia
Nov. 16: Alcorn State
Nov. 20: Wagner
Nov. 24: Tennessee, Players Era - 3 PM
Nov. 26: San Diego St/Iowa St, Players Era
Dec. 2: American University
Dec. 6: at Ohio State
Dec. 9: Michigan State
Dec. 15 vs. Morgan State
Dec. 19 vs. South Carolina, CFG Arena
Dec. 29 vs. Radford
Jan. 2: UCLA
Jan. 5: USC
Jan. 9: at Iowa
Jan. 12: at Indiana
Jan. 16: Illinois
Jan. 19: Rutgers
Jan. 23: at Purdue
Jan. 26: Wisconsin
Jan. 30: at Penn State
Feb. 2: at Michigan State
Feb. 9: Nebraska
Feb. 13: Indiana
Feb. 17: at Oregon
Feb. 20: at Washington
Feb. 24: Minnesota
Feb. 28: at Rutgers
March 4: at Michigan
March 7: Northwestern
B1G Tournament: March 9-14
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Mike Locksley and James Franklin have crossed paths enough over the years that their matchup carries more than the usual Big Ten weight. This one also reaches back into Maryland history, where both coaches are tied in different ways to Ralph Friedgen, the former Terrapins coach whose influence still lingers around the program and around the people who came through it.
The connection matters because Franklin was once part of a succession plan at Maryland that never fully came to pass, and that old what-if gives this game an added edge for fans who remember that era well. Locksley, Friedgen and former quarterback Scott McBrien all have their own perspective on those relationships and coaching influences, but the larger picture is clearer now: Maryland gets a chance in a competitive regional game to measure itself against a familiar rival with some familiar roots. [Read more 🡒]
Milford Mill Just Forced Its Way Back Into Marylands Top 25
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St. Frances Academy still sits atop the poll, but Milford Mills return stands out because it came with a statement win over a highly ranked opponent. Loyola Blakefield also climbed from No. 25 to No. 19 after a decisive victory over Georgetown Prep, giving the latest rankings a different look as the postseason picture keeps taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Marylands 2026-27 Schedule Sets Up A Season Terps Fans Will Feel
The next Maryland mens basketball season already has a clear shape, and it comes with a built-in dose of nostalgia. The Big Ten has released the Terps 2026-27 conference schedule, setting the dates and opponents for home and away games while the program also lines up a season-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of its 2002 NCAA national championship.
For Maryland fans, the calendar now stretches from an exhibition on Oct. 11, 2026, to the official opener on Nov. 2, with the league slate offering the usual grind of travel and test nights. Layered on top of that is the championship tribute, which should give the season a different feel around College Park as the Terps mark one of the defining moments in program history with special promotions and events. [Read more 🡒]