After an eleven-day break, the Virginia Cavaliers (9-1) are back in action tonight at John Paul Jones Arena-and they’re doing it in style, rocking their all-orange uniforms. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. on ESPN, and it’s not just any non-conference matchup. It’s a rekindling of an old ACC rivalry as Virginia hosts the Maryland Terrapins (6-5) for the first time since 2018, when the ‘Hoos edged out a 76-71 win on the road.
But while Virginia has looked sharp early this season, Maryland is still trying to find its footing. The Terps came into the year with high expectations, thanks in large part to the arrival of Buzz Williams from Texas A&M.
He didn’t come alone-he brought a wave of transfer talent with him. In fact, none of the eight Maryland players averaging over 18 minutes per game were on last year’s roster.
That’s a complete overhaul, and so far, it’s been a bumpy ride.
Pharrel Payne, Maryland’s leading scorer, followed Buzz from College Station, as did Solomon Washington. True freshmen Darius Adams and Andre Mills are logging big minutes, while sharpshooter David Coit arrived from Kansas.
Myles Rice, a dynamic guard from Washington State, adds another dimension to the backcourt. And then there’s Elijah Saunders-a familiar face in Charlottesville-who spent last season with the Cavaliers before transferring to Maryland.
Despite the talent influx, Maryland’s early returns have been rough. Their five losses have come against quality opponents, but the margins haven’t been close.
Blowout defeats to Gonzaga (by 39), Alabama (33), Iowa (19), and Michigan (18) have raised real concerns. In three of those games, they gave up over 100 points.
The result? A No. 162 ranking in the NET, which makes this a Quad 4 game for Virginia simply because it’s being played at home.
That said, Ryan Odom and the Cavaliers aren’t taking anything for granted. This is a game they need to win-and convincingly. Here’s what Virginia has to focus on to make that happen:
Let it fly from deep-and hit
Virginia’s not shy about pulling the trigger from beyond the arc. They’re averaging nearly 28 three-point attempts per game, and that volume could pay off in a big way tonight.
Why? Because Maryland’s perimeter defense has been porous, to put it kindly.
The Terps are giving up over ten made threes per game, and they’ve struggled to contest shots consistently. That lines up perfectly with Virginia’s strength-they’re averaging 11.3 made threes per game.
If the ‘Hoos get into rhythm early, this could snowball fast.
Pressure, pressure, pressure
Maryland has had major issues taking care of the basketball. They’re averaging nearly 14 turnovers per game, ranking No. 282 nationally in that category.
That’s a red flag, and Virginia needs to capitalize. Expect the Cavaliers to apply pressure early and often-on-ball, full court, the works.
The goal is simple: make Maryland uncomfortable, force mistakes, and turn defense into easy offense.
Virginia’s defense hasn’t been elite in terms of forcing turnovers this season, but this matchup offers a chance to flip that script. Look for freshman guard Chance Mallory to be a pest on the perimeter. He’s got the quickness and instincts to disrupt passing lanes and generate steals-and against a team this turnover-prone, he could feast.
Final Word
This isn’t just about getting back in rhythm after a long layoff. It’s about making a statement.
Virginia has built a strong early-season resume, and while a Quad 4 win won’t move the needle much in the rankings, a dominant performance can reinforce the identity Odom is trying to establish. Hit shots, force turnovers, and control the tempo-that’s the formula tonight.
If the ‘Hoos stick to it, they should walk away with their tenth win of the season and a little extra confidence heading into the heart of the schedule.