The Virginia Cavaliers are back in action this Saturday, and there’s a little extra juice in the matchup - they’re welcoming an old ACC rival, the Maryland Terrapins, to John Paul Jones Arena. It’s not just a reunion; it’s a measuring stick game for both programs, each trying to find its rhythm as the non-conference slate winds down.
Virginia enters this one with a strong 9-1 record and a perfect 6-0 mark at home. Their latest outing - an 84-60 win over Maryland Eastern Shore - was exactly what you'd expect from a team ranked inside the top 25 in both the AP and Coaches polls.
The ‘Hoos shot the ball well, hitting 48% from the field and an impressive 42% from deep. That kind of offensive efficiency, paired with their usual defensive discipline, makes them a tough out for anyone, especially in Charlottesville.
Sam Lewis paced Virginia in that win, dropping 15 points in a confident offensive showing. He wasn’t alone - Thijs De Ridder chipped in 13, and Chance Mallory added 10, giving UVA a balanced scoring effort that reflects the depth Tony Bennett has quietly built into this roster. It’s not a team that relies on one guy to carry the load - they move the ball, they defend, and they execute.
Maryland, meanwhile, comes in with a 6-5 record and a résumé that’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. They’ve picked up solid wins over Marquette and UNLV, but they’ve also taken some lumps - losses to Georgetown, Gonzaga, Alabama, Iowa, and most recently, a 101-83 defeat at the hands of No. 2 Michigan.
That Michigan game was a tale of two halves. Maryland actually led 50-45 at the break, but things unraveled quickly after halftime.
The Wolverines poured in 56 second-half points while holding the Terps to just 33. A big turning point came when Maryland lost their leading scorer, Pharrel Payne, to injury in the first half.
Without him, their offense lacked the punch it needed to keep pace with one of the nation’s top teams.
Maryland’s ranking - No. 100 in KenPom - reflects a team still trying to find consistency. They’ve shown flashes, but they haven’t quite put it all together yet. Saturday’s matchup gives them a chance to do just that, though it won’t be easy against a Virginia squad that’s locked in defensively and playing with confidence at home.
For Virginia, this is another opportunity to sharpen things before ACC play ramps up. They’ll stay home after this one for a Monday matchup against American, followed by a nine-day break. But first, they’ll look to take care of business against a familiar face in Maryland - and in front of their home crowd, they’ve been tough to beat.
Expect a physical, defensive-minded game - the kind that feels like a throwback to the old ACC battles. And with both teams looking to build momentum heading into the heart of the season, the stakes are quietly high in Charlottesville.