Maryland Opens Against Bucknell With a 2002 Throwback and a New Test
Maryland opens its men’s basketball season Monday, November 2, against Bucknell at XFINITY Center, pairing the first game of the 2026–27 campaign with a look back at its championship past. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern, with streaming coverage on B1G+.
The Terrapins’ game preview says the evening begins a three-game promotional celebration of the 2002 NCAA championship’s 25th anniversary. Maryland will debut its throwback uniforms, while selected concessions—including hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and 16-ounce fountain drinks—will cost $2.50.
On the court, the opener offers an early measure of Pharrel Payne’s return. Maryland lists the fifth-year big man as a preseason All-Big Ten selection after an injury-limited season in which he averaged 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds across 10 starts.
Bucknell arrives with substantial changes of its own. The Bison’s season preview identifies 11 newcomers alongside six returning players: seven freshmen and four transfers. For fourth-year coach John Griffin III, the early schedule presents a chance to establish roles across that reshaped group.
The Bison were picked sixth in the Patriot League preseason poll. They return 24.4 percent of their scoring and 22.9 percent of their rebounding from last season, leaving a large share of the production to be redistributed. Their preseason trip to Montreal included two victories over Canadian college opponents.
Those exhibitions offer preparation, but Monday is the beginning of the official season for both teams. Bucknell’s roster turnover makes the opening matchup a test of how its returning players and newcomers operate together against a Big Ten opponent.
Fans following remotely can find the stream and radio links through the teams’ official game pages. The result will provide a first competitive reference point for two teams still establishing their rotations. Follow PowerPage Sports for regional coverage as the college basketball season gets underway.
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