The Maryland basketball program has been rebuilding following a chaotic offseason. With a “Sweet 16” run in 2025, the loss of every player from last season’s roster, and a coaching switch, we can say that the program was left in ruins.
New coach Buzz Williams, who has a good track record of rebuilding programs, is stocking up via the transfer portal with players like George Turkson headlining a top-10 transfer class.
Here we’ll break down Maryland’s style, its recent ups and downs, why the coaching change happened, and what Williams brings to College Park.
A Strong but Shaky 2024–25 Season
Maryland’s 2024–25 season was a mix of success and turmoil. Coach Kevin Willard‘s Terrapins went 23–11, 12–8 in the Big Ten. They performed well in the NCAA Tournament, trouncing Grand Canyon 81–49 and upsetting Gonzaga 76–70 to advance to the Sweet 16, their deepest run since 2002. Senior Julian Reese (15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds) and freshman Derik Queen (12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds) led the way, but a 87–71 defeat to Florida ended their season.
The team’s defence was top-notch, 21st in KenPom efficiency (94.2 points allowed per 100 possessions). Offensively, however, they were a chore, shooting 32.4% from outside the arc (189th nationally) and averaging 12.7 turnovers per game (231st). Even though stats like these are not everything, they still play a huge role, as both real and fantasy coaches know. For those who love following stats, especially for their fantasy NCAA Basketball roster, the Prize Picks promo code can come in handy with a special bonus for your roster upon registration.
Losses to unranked Rutgers and Nebraska exposed vulnerabilities, and Willard’s public complaints about Maryland’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funds hinted at larger issues.
Willard’s Departure and Roster Breakdown
Kevin Willard’s three-year tenure in Maryland (2022–2025) was marked by progress but ended acrimoniously.
His 2022–23 team made the NCAA’s Round of 32, and the 2024–25’s Sweet 16 appearance was a feather. But a 16–17 record in 2023–24 and fan discontent with rotations tainted his stay. In March of 2025, Willard bolted to Villanova, decrying Maryland’s NIL deals as insufficient. Fans now felt cheated, and the roster imploded.
Queen (a potential NBA lottery selection), Reese, and others, such as Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice, entered the transfer portal, with no returnees left.
Buzz Williams’ Rebuilding
Williams was hired on April 1, 2025, and he has a good CV.
He took Marquette to a Sweet 16 in 2011, Virginia Tech to three NCAA Tournaments (2017–19), and Texas A&M to two (2022, 2024). His overall coaching record is 313–264, with eight NCAA appearances and 14 players developed into NBA assets, including Jimmy Butler. So far, Williams’ teams have always been defense-oriented, always top-50 in efficiency, and three-point shooting has been the probable Achilles’ heel.
At Texas A&M, he reconstructed the roster once more through transfers, signing stars such as Wade Taylor IV. His up-tempo style and player development make him a suitable fit to join Maryland’s rebuild, but he’ll need to improve the team’s 32.4% three-point shooting from last season.
Transfer Portal Push: Turkson and Beyond
Without any returners, Williams turned to the transfer portal, assembling a top-10 class as of April 21, 2025.
The marquee additions are George Turkson (14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds at UMass), a do-everything forward who shoots 35.6% from three, and Malik Dia (16.9 points, 8.4 rebounds at Belmont), a shot-blocking big man. At the same time, Bryson Tucker, a 6’6″ wing from Indiana, adds athleticism.
Williams is also targeting LSU’s Tyrell Ward (11.3 points, 38.1% from three). Turkson’s April 21 X post praised Maryland’s “family atmosphere,” an indication of buy-in.
The class remedies last season’s frontcourt and shooting deficiencies, but chemistry and depth are concerns with just three transfers signed. Expectations for 2025–26: Williams’ high-pressure defense and motion offense are a good fit for the Big Ten’s ruggedness.
Turkson and Dia can be an elite frontcourt, and adding Ward would solve perimeter issues. A 20-win season and NCAA Tournament berth is the goal, but a top-8 finish in the Big Ten is more realistic. Purdue and Michigan State loom on the horizon, and depth may be an issue. Williams’ history demonstrates Maryland can compete, paving the way for a multi-year ascension.
