On Monday and an ocean apart, the Maryland Terrapins women and men’s basketball seasons opened up. The women were in France to face the No. 1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, and the men were at home to face Bucknell. The women were steep underdogs and lost in the end by 8-points, and the men stomped on Bucknell to win by 29-points.
The individual efforts were led by Addi Mack as she scored 35 points to lead all scorers for the Terps in Paris against the best college team in the world. She shot 60 percent from 3-point range, and also led the Terps with six assists. The sophomore from Minnesota in her first game this season set the bar real high for herself. What will she do for an encore?
How about a freshman debut, Baba Oladotun scored 7-points in his first game as he came off the bench for the Terps. Oladotun added four rebounds and a lot of excitement for those who attended at Xfinity Center last night in College Park, Maryland.
The competitive fire shown by the women’s squad in Paris sends a clear message to the rest of the Big Ten. Standing toe-to-toe with a powerhouse like South Carolina requires immense mental toughness and a disciplined game plan. Head coach Brenda Frese utilized a high-tempo offensive strategy that kept the Gamecocks on their heels for significant stretches of the game. Unfortunately the Terps fell into a huge deficit in the first half (61-33) then Maryland stormed back in the second half (60-40) to almost pull-off a shocker. Despite the physical disadvantage in the paint, Maryland’s relentless perimeter ball movement and defensive trapping schemes proved that this roster can compete with any elite program in the nation.
“Addi put the team on her back,” Frese said.
Beyond Mack’s historic night, the supporting cast demonstrated excellent chemistry for an opening matchup. The Terps’ transition offense looked remarkably fluid, capitalizing on defensive rebounds to spark quick fast-break opportunities before the South Carolina defense could set up. Key contributions from the bench unit helped sustain energy during critical stretches, proving that Maryland boasts the depth necessary to survive a grueling conference schedule later this winter. This narrow loss will undoubtedly serve as a foundational teaching tool, fueling their confidence moving forward.
Meanwhile, back in College Park, the men’s team delivered an absolute masterclass in defensive dominance against Bucknell. From the opening tip-off, Buzz Williams’ squad implemented a stifling full-court press that forced numerous turnovers and disrupted the Bison’s offensive rhythm. The Terps excelled at turning these defensive stops into immediate points, electrifying the hometown crowd and building an insurmountable lead by halftime. The sheer physicality and speed displayed by the roster signaled a return to the gritty, defensive-minded identity that Maryland basketball is known for.
“Any 17-year-old that’s supposed to be in high school — no matter who the opponent is — who’s playing in his hometown state in game number one, he is going to be sped up,” Williams said about Oladotun.
The frontcourt presence was particularly overwhelming, as Maryland controlled the boards and limited Bucknell to difficult, contested looks. Second-chance points were a major factor in the 29-point blowout, showcasing a collective hunger for rebounds on both ends of the floor. The starting lineup set a aggressive tone early, but it was the seamless integration of the bench rotation that truly allowed the Terps to pull away. This complete team effort ensured that the intensity never wavered, keeping the pressure on the visitors for all forty minutes.
Oladotun’s time on the court hints at the massive upside of this year’s freshman class. Entering the game to a roaring ovation at the Xfinity Center, the young forward showed no signs of freshman jitters as he immediately inserted himself into the flow of the game. His ability to space the floor and create his own shot adds a dynamic weapon to the offense that opposing coaches will have to account for. If this debut is any indication of his trajectory, Oladotun is poised to become a vital spark plug for the Terps as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, both programs face a rapid turnaround as they navigate a challenging non-conference slate designed to test their resolve. The women’s team will look to translate their moral victory in France into a string of dominant home performances, sharpening their execution and reducing unforced errors. For the men, maintaining this level of defensive intensity will be crucial as the caliber of opponents begins to rise. Building early momentum is essential for securing favorable tournament seeding down the line, and both coaching staffs will be demanding total focus in practice this week.
Ultimately, opening night provided Maryland fans with plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the winter months ahead. One team proved its elite mettle on a global stage, while the other took care of business at home with ruthless efficiency. With established stars setting new personal benchmarks and highly anticipated newcomers making an immediate splash, basketball season in College Park is officially underway. The journey is just beginning, but the standard has been firmly established for what promises to be an exhilarating ride for the Terrapin faithful.
Several other Terrapins stepped up with massive opening-night performances alongside Mack and Oladotun:
Other Men’s Basketball Standouts vs. Bucknell
Andre Mills (Redshirt Sophomore): Led the men’s team with an dominant 22-point, 11-rebound double-double. He paced the Terps’ physical play, pulling down key offensive boards and chipping in 2 assists.
Kaden House (Freshman): Provided an immediate scoring punch off the bench, adding 14 points to help anchor the secondary rotation. [1]
Pharrel Payne (Redshirt Senior): Made a robust return from his past knee injury, securing 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals while providing a towering defensive presence in the paint.
Other Women’s Basketball Standouts vs. South Carolina
- Nunu Agara (Sophomore): Put up a highly efficient Terrapin debut with 12 points and 5 rebounds, hitting a pair of crucial 3-pointers. [1]
- Oluchi Okananwa (Sophomore): Nearly secured a double-double against the No. 1 team in the country, fighting for 11 points and a team-high 9 rebounds.
- Bri McDaniel (Redshirt Junior): Logged 11 points and a team-high 6 assists while forcing 3 steals in her highly anticipated return from injury.
- Trinity Jones (Freshman): Hit the ground running in her first collegiate game, dropping 11 points and contributing 3 assist
Both teams take the court next for highly anticipated matchups:
- Men’s Basketball: The Terps hit the road for an iconic local rivalry against Georgetown Hoyas on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET. You can catch the game live on Peacock.
- Women’s Basketball: The Terps return to College Park for their home opener at the XFINITY Center against George Mason Patriots on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus (B1G+).
Photo provided by Maryland Basketball
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