Predictions for Maryland men’s basketball’s 2026-27 season: Bold takes, top players and more

Maryland men’s basketball’s 2026-27 campaign kicks off in College Park Monday against Bucknell.

The second year of the Buzz Williams era begins with heightened expectations after the disappointments of the first year. The program is coming off its worst season since 1941, and returning stars and incoming players will look to make that 2025-26 squad a distant memory by the time March rolls around.

Below, our editors compiled their predictions for a promising season ahead for the Terps.

Player of the year

Nolan’s pick: Pharrel Payne

Payne is the best player on this team, and there is simply nobody else on the roster that offers his skillset. His absence was a major contributing factor in last season’s struggles. When he didn’t play against Virginia Tech in the team’s secret scrimmage on Oct. 23, Maryland lost. He averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game in two preseason games after averaging 17.5 and seven, respectively, per game last year. 

This is the easy choice. Don’t overthink it.

Dylan’s pick: Andre Mills

Maryland’s offense was a one-man show for the majority of last year. While the results weren’t there, Mills’ ascension in his redshirt freshman season offered a glimpse into the talent the former four-star recruit possesses. Mills averaged 17.8 points per game during the final 13 contests, showcasing his ability to score from every level — he shot 34.4% from 3-point range.

Even with a better supporting cast around the Massachusetts native, Mills poured in a game-high 27 points in the Terps’ 19-point comeback victory over West Virginia. Mills can take over games and will earn All-Big Ten honors come the end of the year. The 6-foot-4 guard will be Maryland’s best player this season.

Jude’s pick: DJ Wagner

Wagner may not be as flashy of a scorer as my fellow editor’s picks, but his presence at the point should be the bow tying this gift of a team together. The 6-foot-4 guard, who Williams nicknamed “Julio,” has an ability to run the offense and pass unlike any other Terp both this and last season. Williams has pointed out Wagner’s ability to gather “hockey assists” makes him the ideal candidate to “quarterback” his offense.

The senior guard appears to have found a team where he can make an impact after struggling in stints at Kentucky and Arkansas. His wealth of experience and basketball IQ make him the ideal candidate to lead this program into the future.

Biggest breakout

Nolan’s pick: Robert Jennings II 

As good as Payne is, Williams is going to need someone to spot him minutes to rest. The veteran Jennings, who was brought to Big Ten Media Day as a Maryland representative, is someone who clearly has the trust of the coaching staff despite being far from the most hyped player on the roster.  

Jennings’ career averages of four points and three rebounds in 13 minutes per game don’t encapsulate the impact that he’s able to have on a team. The fifth-year is able to defend anyone he’s switched onto, from point guard to center, and he plays far bigger than his 6-foot-8, 225-pound frame. A gritty player who does the small things right, Xfinity Center will know Jennings’ name well before the end of the season.

Dylan’s pick: Adama Tambedou

While the starting frontcourt is already settled, the spot for valuable forward minutes off the bench is unclaimed. Jennings has handled that role through preseason, but the Oklahoma State transfer offers little offensive upside. That leaves the door open for Tambedou, who scored 10 points in just 10 minutes against Georgia Tech.

The 6-foot-7 forward was efficient in his little playing time, knocking down 3-of-5 shots from the field. Tambedou’s offensive versatility and defensive prowess — he had two blocks and a steal in that game— should give him meaningful minutes off the bench at some point this season, even if he doesn’t start the year in the rotation. I fully expect the freshman to be a key piece off the bench.

Jude’s pick: Kaden House

Why would I pick a player for this category on my own when his teammate gave me the answer straight up? Guard Lukas Sotell named House the player he thought would break out this season and also implied he was the most underrated player on the roster. After House’s performance during Maryland’s exhibition games, Sotell’s comments are just icing on the cake.

House dropped 24 points across both exhibitions while displaying a high motor and elite perimeter defending. While overshadowed by five-star Baba Oladotun during the recruiting cycle, House looks to earn the most minutes of the pair. His versatility allows him to either play point or shooting guard as he may be the Terps’ go-to sixth man.

Bold prediction

Nolan’s pick: Mike McNair Jr. wins Big Ten 3-point shooting crown.

Through the preseason, it appears the Terps have a veritable ATM beyond the arc on the roster. Mike McNair is always open, and the 42.3% career 3-point shooter is good to cash out whenever Maryland will need it. Early on, there were questions over how much playing time he would see this season, but for a team with a dearth of quality 3-point shooting, it feels likely McNair will earn significant minutes. 

Last season, Fletcher Loyer led the conference with a 43.4% 3-point shooting clip, and Pryce Sandfort made a conference-high 3.9 3-pointers per game. But just two of the top seven players from that list — Sandfort and Ohio State’s John Mobley Jr. — remain in the conference this year. There’s a void to fill, and if McNair plays 25 minutes a night with a license to let it fly, there’s every reason to believe he can take that crown.

Dylan’s pick: Kaden House earns spot on Big Ten All-Freshman team.

It’s just two exhibition games, but House looks better than advertised thus far. The freshman, who scored double-figures in each game, will be Maryland’s best scorer off the bench. That is very clear — he accounted for 10 of the Terps’ 15 bench points against West Virginia. And House may find his way into the starting lineup by the end of the season.

At just 20 years old, House is a polished scorer capable of producing at every level. He can finish in the paint and knock down shots from deep. That, coupled with his elite defense, gives him all the traits to be one of the five best freshmen in the Big Ten. If House can stay out of foul trouble, he will become a star this season for Maryland.

Jude’s pick: Maryland matches the Crab Five Sweet 16 run.

It wasn’t just sheer talent that launched the 2024-25 team through two rounds of March Madness, but rather the comfortable way those talented pieces slotted together. While last season had too many holes to name, Maryland’s roster appears as cohesive as any other team in its conference.

At least four of the Terps’ five starters are all but confirmed, taking a huge decision off of Williams’ hands. However, Maryland’s immense backcourt depth and depth forwards with defined roles are what makes this unit a scary force in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament. Additionally, the way the team bonded in the offseason implies a vastly different locker room experience to last season.

“During the summer, we went to Iron Rooster every single day. I felt like, but then just everybody would be done with practice, and then we’ll just be sitting in the locker room for two hours, just talking, be like, ‘What are we doing here?'” Austin Brown said. “But time just goes by so fast because we’re just in there bonding and just getting to know each other.”

Record prediction

Nolan’s pick: 22-10

Buzz Williams’ teams are built to start peaking around Valentine’s Day, not Thanksgiving. That was visible even during a lost season last year, when the Terps pulled off some stunning displays as the year came to a close. 

Maryland’s pre-January schedule presents some serious challenges; it’d be a stretch to say this team is prepared to handle three preseason top-10 opponents before Christmas. But playing five of their final six games against teams projected to be in the conference’s lower echelon to end the season, the Terps have a real opportunity to get hot at the right time and make some magic happen in March.

Dylan’s pick: 23-9

The talent and depth on this year’s roster positions Maryland to compete with the Big Ten contenders — even in a loaded conference. After watching Michigan run through the nation with its dominant size, Williams spent the offseason investing in the frontcourt. He brought in one of the country’s best rebounders and an impact defender off the bench, but Payne’s return is easily the best offseason move.

While I expect the Terps to get swept by the likes of No. 3 Illinois, No. 6 Michigan State, No. 16 Michigan and Purdue, they will handle their nonconference schedule. Even with a difficult slate of games, Maryland likely goes 10-2 with losses in either the Players Era Invitational or to No. 9 Virginia. But the Terps will win the games they should, resulting in a postseason appearance.

Jude’s pick: 21-11

Maryland’s record is going to depend on its ability to stay healthy and stay consistent through the Big Ten gauntlet. While the conference remains the pinnacle of collegiate basketball for the time being, there are little to no games on the schedule that the Terps are completely outmatched.

Williams’ offseason recruiting gave Maryland the size and rebounding pedigree it lacked against teams like Illinois and Michigan last season while also sizing up in the frontcourt. The improvements will give the Terps a much smoother time navigating their conference schedule, a slate that is the best possible warm up for a postseason run.