Maryland’s men’s basketball program enters the 2026‑27 campaign looking to rebound from a underwhelming first year under head coach Buzz Williams, whose second season is under intense scrutiny after a disappointing finish that left the team on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Roster Reinforcements and Fresh Talent
The frontcourt, widely regarded as one of the Big Ten’s strongest, is anchored by senior forward Pharrel Payne and sophomore center Tomislav Buljan, whose physical style and rebounding prowess have drawn praise for creating a rugged, offensive‑rebounding identity that coach Williams has cultivated in past teams.
Guard play, however, remains a point of concern. DJ Wagner, who transferred from Kentucky and Arkansas, has drawn criticism for a high turnover rate in pick‑and‑roll actions, a flaw that could hamper the offense’s efficiency and limit Maryland’s ability to break through the bubble.
Analysts Kyle Tucker and Isaac Trotter, appearing on the 247Sports podcast, placed Maryland in the Big Ten’s bubble tier alongside Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington and Oregon, with Trotter asserting that the Terps have the best chance of moving out of that tier and securing a tournament berth.
Trotter’s optimism is tempered by the reality that Maryland’s lofty expectations and Williams’s tenuous position on the coaching hot seat demand significant improvement; the frontcourt’s dominance may not be enough if the guards cannot limit turnovers and sustain offensive flow.
The roster also benefits from the return of guards Andre Mills and Bishop Boswell, while five‑star freshman Baba Oladotun adds high‑upside depth, giving the Terps additional options to complement Payne and Buljan and to provide balance around the perimeter.