Maryland Faces No. 6 Virginia After Underwhelming Georgetown Loss

Maryland men’s basketball faces a high-stakes test against No. 6 Virginia at the Xfinity Center this Friday at 8 p.m.

The Terps are looking to rebound from a disappointing 86-74 loss to Georgetown on Saturday night, a game that exposed lingering offensive inconsistencies, Testudo Times reported. After a lackluster performance in D.C., Maryland must quickly improve their ball movement to survive a Virginia squad that has started the 2026-27 season with momentum.

“We define shots by medals: gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal, no medal,” head coach Buzz Williams said. “We didn’t have near the gold attempts that you need to have in order to win on the road.”

The upcoming matchup presents a stark contrast in team identity. While Maryland struggles to find rhythm from deep, Virginia has utilized explosive first-half performances to steamroll opponents, outscoring them 188-116 in the opening periods this season.

Virginia’s offensive momentum

The Cavaliers arrive in College Park with a 4-0 record, having won every game by at least 19 points. Their recent victory over No. 12 Arkansas in Washington D.C. served as a statement win, proving that head coach Ryan Odom has maintained the program’s national relevance following the departure of Tony Bennett.

Virginia’s success is anchored by a few standout performers who are currently playing at an elite level. Sophomore forward Thijs De Ridder has transformed from a projected contributor into a focal point of the Cavaliers’ offense and defense. The 6-foot-9 Belgian native is currently averaging 17.8 points per game and shooting 57.1% from three-point range.

Beyond the scoring, De Ridder’s impact on the glass could become the deciding factor in Friday’s battle. He leads the Virginia team with 33 rebounds, a statistic that will force Maryland’s frontcourt to contend with a highly efficient rebounding unit.

Player	Team	Points Per Game	3-Point Percentage
Thijs De Ridder	Virginia	17.8	57.1%
Sam Lewis	Virginia	15.0	40.9%

Senior guard Sam Lewis remains a primary threat in late-game situations, averaging 15 points per game and shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc. Complementing him is sophomore Chance Mallory, a 5-foot-10 guard who mirrors the playing style of former player Diggy Coit. While Mallory provides a perimeter threat with 10 makes on 23 attempts this season, he also serves as a defensive disruptor, leading the Cavaliers with 3.3 steals per game.

Maryland’s path to an upset

For Maryland to disrupt the Cavaliers’ perfect start, they must address the shooting drought that plagued them against Georgetown. The Terps struggled from long range, going just 3-for-20 from the three-point line. This included a frustrating stretch of 14 misses that lasted nearly two hours of real time.

Coach Williams may be forced to reconsider his starting lineup to find more efficiency. Mike McNair Jr., a key deep threat, finished the Georgetown game with zero points in 22 minutes of play, while Andre Mills struggled with a 4-for-15 shooting performance. Freshman Kaden House, who provided a spark late against the Hoyas with 13 points and a dunk, could potentially earn a starting role to strengthen the backcourt.

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The tactical battle will likely hinge on rotation depth. Williams utilizes a 10-man “hockey subs” rotation to maintain energy, but Odom’s Virginia team operates primarily with a tight seven-man unit. While this gives Virginia a concentrated advantage in scoring—averaging 22.8 bench points per game—it also means that if Maryland can stifle the Virginia starters, the Cavaliers may lack the depth to respond.

The atmosphere at the Xfinity Center is expected to play a major role. After a home opener against Bucknell, this game marks the first time the Terps will play before a capacity crowd against a top-tier opponent. The energy of a packed home crowd could provide the necessary momentum to combat Virginia’s tendency to pull away early in the first half.

The game will be available for streaming on Peacock.

Virginia has outscored its opponents by an average of 23.5 points in the first half this season.