By Deja Jones 

University of Maryland men’s basketball defeated Coppin State University in its season opener on Nov. 3, 2025. 

Senior Pharrel Payne, a transfer from Texas A&M, led the Terps with 21 points, six rebounds and two assists. Freshman Darius Adams scored 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. 

The Terps led 47-32 at halftime, but a six-minute scoring drought paired with 10 unanswered points by Coppin State made the score 50-42 with 16:51 remaining. Elijah Saunders, a senior transfer from the University of Virginia, made a layup three minutes later that put the Terps ahead 59-49. The Terps led by double digits for the remainder of the game. 

The Terps shot 34.5% on 3-point attempts (10 of 29), which tied the program record for most threes in a season opener. They also shot 45.5% on field goals and 92% from the free-throw line.

Although the Terps pulled through with the win, there are still improvements to be made. The Terps fouled more than Coppin State fouled them, according to head coach Buzz Williams. The lack of physicality was also an issue.

“Not a good start,” said Williams during a press conference on Nov. 6.  “We’re not near as physical as we’re going to be. Our nature is to watch the ball.” 

Williams also stated how Coppin State rebounded 25% of the Terps’ misses. The Terps only had 11 offensive rebounds while Coppin State had 21 defensive rebounds. 

Graduate student Diggy Coit, a transfer from Kansas, added 13 points. Going into his first rival home game with the Terps, he reflected on his college basketball journey. Starting out at Atlantic Cape Community College in New Jersey, he transferred to Northern Illinois, then to Kansas. Coit played in both small and large arenas throughout his college career, but it makes him feel appreciative of the opportunities placed in his life.

As Coit reflects on his college journey, he continues to play his role on the Terps. 

“It makes you feel blessed and appreciative of the opportunity that you have,” Coit said. “Being a junior college guy, not knowing I’ll ever be at this point in my life.”

The Terps are a brand-new team that still requires time to rebuild. With several new faces on the roster and adjustments under a developing system, Maryland is still searching for consistency on both ends of the floor. The early stages of the season have shown flashes of potential, but the team’s growth will depend on how quickly players can gel and execute together. 

“Everybody is trying to figure out their role and what our identity is,” Coit said when asked to give a message to fans.

Williams had a similar message, “And so as we start on this path together, we’re grateful for all of the support.”

Featured Image: Crowd at UMD basketball game against Coppin State on Nov. 3, 2025. Photo by Deja Jones.