Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Injuries Cloud Buzz Williams’s Debut as Rebuilt Maryland Nears Opener

The Terps start over under Buzz Williams with a roster built almost entirely from transfers and freshmen.

Overview

  • Only eight players were available for the 82-81 exhibition win over UMBC, and Williams said he does not know how many will be ready for Monday’s opener against Coppin State in Baltimore.
  • Myles Rice (ankle), David Coit (ankle) and Isaiah Watts (eye) are sidelined, Solomon Washington missed the exhibition with an ankle issue, and Rakease Passmore is out for the season with a torn Achilles.
  • Pharrel Payne led the exhibition with 26 points and nine rebounds and five-star freshman Darius Adams added 19, offering early glimpses of the new core.
  • Maryland returns only junior guard Lukas Sotell from last season and has added 10 transfers and five freshmen, including four players who followed Williams from Texas A&M.
  • Williams instituted his three-week boot camp focused on conditioning and accountability, and a preseason media poll projects Maryland to finish 13th in the Big Ten as early tests loom against Georgetown, Marquette and Gonzaga.