Maryland mens basketballs first game against higher-end competition didnt go so well.
The Terps looked outmatched at home against Georgetown, recording a 70-60 loss that felt more lopsided than that at times.
Now Maryland hits the road for the first time this season. It heads to Milwaukee to take on another Big East opponent in Marquette; the school Buzz Williams had his first extended head coaching stint at. The Golden Eagles are Marylands first Quad 1 opponent of the season.
Saturdays contest is set to tip off at 2 p.m. ET and will stream on Peacock.
2024-25 record: 23-11, 13-7 Big East
Marquettes trip to College Park a year ago was explosive. Derik Queen and JaKobi Gillespie each scored 24 points, and second-team All-American Kam Jones countered with 28 for the then-No. 15 Golden Eagles. Ultimately, two late missed free throws by Deshawn Harris-Smith pushed Marquette to a 78-74 win.
But fifth-year head coach Shaka Smarts squad looks vastly different than it did a year ago. Now graduated are both of Marquettes All-Big East selections Jones and forward David Joplin as well as program stalwart Stevie Mitchell.
While Marquettes starting lineup consists of zero transfers and four upperclassmen, that groups experience with Smart hasnt made up for the loss of high-end talent. It lost to Indiana, its one high-major opponent thus far, 100-77.
Chase Ross, senior guard, 6-foot-5, No. 2 Ross is one of just two returning starters from a season ago. Hes shined as Marquettes new top offensive option, averaging team highs in points (18.2) and assists (4.0) per game, alongside 4.5 rebounds per game.
Ben Gold, senior forward, 6-foot-11, No. 12 The New Zealand native is the other 2024-25 starter back in this seasons lineup. His size and defensive prowess will make him crucial for Marquette slowing down Pharrel Payne. Gold only averages nine points per game, but he nearly doubles the Golden Eagles runner-up in rebounds per game (8.5).
Royce Parham, sophomore forward, 6-foot-8, No. 13 Parhams first collegiate campaign earned him All-Big East freshman team honors. Hes been a do-it-all presence as Marquettes first man off the bench in year two, ranking second on the team in both points (9.5) and rebounds (4.8) per game despite being tied for fifth in minutes per game (19.2).
Continuity. Marquette is the ultimate rarity in modern college basketball: it doesnt have a single transfer on its roster. Along with that, five of its six of its top minute-getters already have a season in Smarts system with at least 14 minutes per game. Marylands 15-transfer roster has been noticeably disjointed at times through three games thats not a problem the Golden Eagles will have.
Shooting efficiency. Like the Terps, Marquette simply hasnt put its shots down well enough this year. The Golden Eagles are shooting just 45.6% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, with a very similar shot diet to Maryland.
1. Can Maryland keep getting to the line? Marquette is one of the better teams in the country at avoiding fouls. Its opponents are shooting just 14.5 free throws per game, far fewer than the Terps 29.7 attempts per game this year.
Williams has made it clear repeatedly he needs his team to get to the line frequently. Thats going to be easier said than done Saturday, even if it could be Marylands key to victory.
2. Myles Rices status. Rice returned from an ankle injury against Georgetown and exploded in the fourth quarter en route to 19 points and seven rebounds. But he was back on the injury report against Alcorn State. The Indiana transfer can play a leading role in Marylands offense, and having him against Marquette would be a huge bonus.
3. Williams returns to Milwaukee. Williams led the Golden Eagles from 2008 until 2014, bringing the team to the only conference regular season championship and Elite Eight appearance of his career in 2012-13. He hasnt played a game against Marquette since he left.
Ive been praying about it for a long time, since [former interim athletic director Colleen Sorem] told me we were playing them, Williams said. Well handle it the right way my energy and emotion will be consumed with, can we figure out how to do the things that are important.