Virginia vs. Maryland: First-Year Coaches, Familiar Foes, and a Clash of Contrasting Trajectories
It’s not often you see two first-year head coaches at new programs who already carry NCAA Tournament résumés at three different schools apiece. But that’s exactly what we’ve got in Saturday’s showdown in Charlottesville, where No. 23 Virginia hosts Maryland in a revival of a long-standing rivalry that stretches back more than a century.
Buzz Williams at Maryland and Ryan Odom at Virginia both took on fresh challenges this season, and while it's still early, the paths their teams are on couldn’t look much more different heading into this matchup.
Virginia’s Sharp Start: Spacing, Shooting, and Stifling Defense
Virginia enters this one at 9-1, riding a wave of momentum after winning four straight by double digits. Their last outing? An 84-60 dismantling of Maryland Eastern Shore that showcased just how dangerous this team can be when the shots are falling.
Six different Cavaliers knocked down multiple threes in that game, a testament to the balanced perimeter attack that’s become a calling card for Odom’s squad. Jacari White, who had been red-hot from deep with 12 straight made threes entering the game, cooled off (1-for-5), but the rest of the team picked up the slack.
That kind of shooting depth doesn’t happen by accident. Odom made it a point to bring in players who could stretch the floor, and that strategy is paying off. Eight different players have made at least six threes this season, with six already in double digits.
“A lot of these guys had shown that they could do it at other places,” Odom said. “Shooting provides a lot of space and helps us utilize that open space and be able to get drives to the basket.”
That space has opened the floor not just for guards, but for Virginia’s big men as well. Thijs De Ridder, a 6-foot-9 forward and the Cavaliers’ leading scorer at 16.1 points per game, has hit 11 threes. And the two 7-footers-Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso-have chipped in nine triples between them.
But it’s not just about offense. Grunloh and Onyenso are anchoring the defensive end too.
They’ve combined for 57 blocks and both rank among the nation’s top 15 shot blockers. That rim protection, coupled with the perimeter shooting, gives Virginia a potent inside-out identity that’s tough to match.
Maryland’s Growing Pains: Injuries, Turnovers, and a Search for Consistency
On the other side, Maryland is still trying to find its footing under Williams. The Terrapins sit at 6-5, and they’ve dropped four of their last five-each by at least 18 points.
Three of those losses came against ranked opponents, including a 101-83 defeat to No. 2 Michigan last weekend.
The biggest concern heading into Charlottesville? The status of Pharrel Payne. The Terrapins’ leading scorer and rebounder (17.5 points, 7.2 boards per game) suffered a leg injury in that Michigan loss, and Williams hasn’t provided an update on his availability.
Without Payne, Maryland’s already shaky offense could face even more pressure. Turnovers have been a major issue-13.7 per game-and the assist numbers (11.1 per game) haven’t been high enough to offset them.
“The thing that’s hurt us the most thus far this season offensively has been our turnover rate,” Williams said earlier this week.
Still, there are some bright spots. David Coit has been a spark plug, averaging 14.8 points per game and coming off a career performance against Michigan, where he dropped 31 points and hit eight threes. Darius Adams has also been steady at 12.6 points per game.
Williams has emphasized that this is a young team still coming together, with 15 new players on the roster. That kind of roster turnover makes chemistry and execution a work in progress, especially in December.
“That we have 15 new players and we have not practiced as much, that is not justification for our record,” Williams said, “but there is some logical explanation on why we are behind in some of the normal ‘it’s mid-December’ sort of things.”
A Rivalry Renewed, with New Stakes
Saturday’s game marks just the second time these two programs have met since Maryland left the ACC for the Big Ten in 2014. Virginia won the last meeting in 2018, 76-71, and leads the all-time series that dates back to 1913.
This one might not carry conference implications anymore, but it’s still a measuring stick-for both programs and both coaches.
For Odom and Virginia, it’s a chance to keep proving that their hot start is no fluke. The Cavaliers have the shooting, the size, and the system to be a real factor in March.
For Williams and Maryland, it’s an opportunity to reset the narrative. A win in Charlottesville could be a turning point in a season that’s still very much taking shape.
Either way, we’ll get some answers on Saturday. Two first-year coaches.
Two historic programs. And one early-season showdown that just might say a lot about where each team is headed.