It’s a chilly Wednesday evening in College Park, and the XFINITY Center is buzzing with anticipation as Indiana basketball rolls into town to face off against Maryland in a pivotal Big Ten Conference clash. The January 7, 2026, matchup features two programs at crossroads—Indiana, under the guidance of first-year head coach Darian DeVries, seeking to solidify their place among the conference elite, and Maryland, led by their own new leader, Buzz Williams, hungry to reverse a rocky start to the season.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET, with Jason Horowitz and Steve Smith calling the action on BTN. The Hoosiers arrive with an 11-3 overall record and a 2-1 mark in Big Ten play, fresh off a momentum-boosting win over Washington. Maryland, meanwhile, sits at 7-7 (0-3 B1G), still searching for their first conference victory under Williams, a veteran coach with a decorated résumé that includes stops at Marquette, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M.
“I know how Buzz’s teams play. They’re very aggressive. They attack the offensive glass, are very physical. You know, on the offensive end, defensive end, they’ll switch up defenses a lot and try to keep you off balance,” DeVries said in the days leading up to the game. Despite Maryland’s .500 record, DeVries was quick to point out the Terrapins’ competitive fire and the quality of their opposition, noting, “They had Michigan—a team that I think is one of the best teams, if not the best team in the country—they had them down nine in the second half. So this is a Maryland team that’s very capable and on their home floor, will be a big challenge for us.”
The Hoosiers enter the contest as slight favorites, with projections from KenPom and oddsmakers giving Indiana a narrow edge—77-70 and a one-point spread, respectively. The numbers tell a story of contrasts: Indiana’s high-octane offense averages 85.1 points per game, outpacing Maryland’s 75.2. Both teams are evenly matched on the boards, each pulling down 36.9 rebounds per contest, setting the stage for a physical battle in the paint.
On the Maryland side, the spotlight has often fallen on senior forward Pharrel Payne, who leads the team with 17.5 points and 1.1 blocks per game, while also pulling down 7.2 rebounds on average. Payne’s efficiency is no secret—he boasts a Big Ten-leading 63.8% career field goal percentage, a testament to his dominance around the rim. However, his status for the Indiana game has been up in the air, with recent absences due to injury casting a shadow over the Terrapins’ frontcourt.
Graduate guard David Coit brings additional firepower, averaging 13.3 points and 3.0 assists per outing. Coit’s 1,410 career points rank him 44th among active NCAA players, and he’s been a steadying presence for Maryland’s backcourt. Freshman Darius Adams has chipped in 12.5 points per game, while senior Solomon Washington, in limited appearances, has averaged an impressive 10.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. Redshirt junior Myles Rice, a familiar face for Hoosier fans, is averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals, bringing added motivation as he faces his former squad.
Maryland’s offensive identity is rooted in physicality and relentless pursuit of second-chance opportunities. “They’re very physical. You know, they’re going to attack the offensive glass. They’re going to switch up defenses. That’s what they do,” DeVries emphasized. The Terrapins are among the nation’s best at getting to the free-throw line, averaging 26.2 attempts per game and converting at a 75.5% clip. That proficiency translates to a 6.4-point scoring advantage at the charity stripe over their opponents—a critical edge in close games.
Yet, Maryland has faced its share of offensive struggles. Their effective field goal percentage sits at 47.5% (No. 292 nationally), and they’re converting just 32.8% from beyond the arc. Turnovers and blocked shots have also been an issue, with the Terps coughing it up at an 18.8% rate and opponents swatting 14.7% of their attempts. Still, their defensive metrics are respectable, forcing turnovers at a 19.1% clip and ranking 84th in defensive efficiency per KenPom.
For Indiana, the challenge is clear: can they secure their first true road win of the season? The Hoosiers have stumbled in hostile environments at Minnesota and Kentucky, and with a daunting schedule ahead—including a showdown with No. 10 Nebraska—this matchup looms large. “Going on the road in conference play is always one of the hardest things to do,” one pregame preview observed, underscoring the pressure on DeVries’ squad to deliver.
Health remains a subplot for Indiana as well. Josh Harris is sidelined with an ankle/foot injury, with DeVries stating on his radio show that Harris “will be out for awhile.” Transfer guard Jason Drake, working his way back from a lower body injury, has begun pregame warmups and could be nearing a return, though his status for the Maryland game was not confirmed.
History favors the Hoosiers in this rivalry, with Indiana holding a 14-10 edge in the all-time series, including six wins in the last eight meetings since Maryland joined the Big Ten. The last time Indiana visited College Park, they eked out an 83-78 victory, with Mackenzie Mgbako pouring in a game-high 24 points. Of course, the rivalry’s roots run deeper, with Maryland famously besting Indiana 64-52 in the 2002 National Championship game—a memory still fresh for many fans on both sides.
Buzz Williams, for his part, brings a wealth of experience to Maryland’s bench. Now in his 19th season as a Division I head coach, Williams boasts a 380-235 career record and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances across his previous stops. His reputation for turning programs around is well-earned, and Terrapins fans are eager to see how quickly he can imprint his style on this year’s squad.
As the teams prepare to tip off, all eyes are on the XFINITY Center, where Maryland’s home-court advantage has historically been formidable—the Terps have compiled a 333-80 (.813) record in the building. Recent years have seen Maryland notch several Top-25 upsets at home, and with the Hoosiers in town, another signature win would provide a much-needed jolt to their season.
With both teams hungry for a statement victory and plenty of storylines swirling—new coaches, injury questions, and postseason ambitions—the stage is set for an electric night of Big Ten basketball. Whether Indiana can finally conquer the road or Maryland can defend their turf remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: fans are in for a battle that could shape the trajectory of both teams’ seasons.
As the opening whistle sounds, the outcome is still up in the air. Will Indiana’s offense prove too much, or can Maryland’s grit and home-court magic tip the scales? The answer is unfolding live in College Park.