Maryland men’s basketball is getting a little more buzz heading toward 2026-27, and the reasons are starting to stack up.
After a 12-win season, the big question hanging over the Terps is simple: can they build enough around this roster to avoid anything resembling the 2025-26 regular season, which finished with the lowest winning percentage in program history? There’s at least a stronger case now than there was a year ago.
The roster picture has changed fast. Maryland has added Bishop Boswell and DJ Wagner from the transfer portal, brought in forward Tomislav Buljan to help up front, and landed former top-ten prospect Baba Oladotun on the wing.
Robert Jennings gives the Terps more experience at the four, while Buljan could also see spot duty at the five behind Pharrel Payne, who is officially back for year two. Maban Jabriel adds another high-upside wing, and Mike McNair, Austin Brown and Kaden House will be part of the push to improve the three-point shooting that was uneven in 2025-26.
ESPN also sees a program with enough new talent to take a step. Maryland was one of 10 programs - and one of four in the Big Ten - mentioned as a team that could make a jump in 2026-27, with Buzz Williams positioned for the kind of Year 2 rise he has produced before.
“Why the optimism now? The Terps had a strong transfer portal season, brought back Pharrel Payne and Andre Mills, and also welcomed top-ten recruit Babatunde Oladotun,” Jeff Borzello wrote.
The biggest question now is how the starting five comes together. DJ Wagner is expected to handle point guard duties, Payne is back at center, Buljan is in line to complete the frontcourt, and Oladotun should be on the wing. That leaves Bishop Boswell and Andre Mills trying to force their way into the mix as the offseason continues.
Maryland won’t have to wait long to get a better read on the group. The non-conference schedule should offer a real look at how quickly the pieces fit, and the Terps now have a few more notable dates on the calendar. The school officially announced a Dec. 19 game against South Carolina at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, and early November matchups with Georgetown and Virginia, along with the Players Era 16, add some real life to the schedule before Big Ten play begins.
Andre Mills put the roster-building challenge in plain terms.
"You can like somebody off the court, but you could also not be compatible with them on the court, or you can not like somebody at all off the court, and then be compatible with them on the court," Andre Mills said of the make of the current team.
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