After a lengthy offseason, Maryland basketball is ready to hit the court for their season opener against in-state rival Mount St. Mary's. The game is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 7 at 7 p.m. at the XFINITY Center in College Park, Maryland.

The Terps are entering the season with high hopes as they look to build upon their successful campaign last year. Under the leadership of head coach Kevin Willard, who is heading into his second year at the helm, Maryland exceeded expectations by finishing with a record of 22-13 and winning a game in the NCAA Tournament. Willard boasts a formidable core trio consisting of point guard Jahmir Young, forward Donta Scott, and big man Julian Reese, who provide a solid foundation for the team. Additionally, a group of highly anticipated newcomers, including four-star freshmen DeShawn Harris-Smith and Jamie Kaiser, are expected to make an impact on the court.

The Terps have a history of dominance against Mount St. Mary's, holding a perfect 9-0 record in their previous matchups. The two teams have squared off three times in season openers, with Maryland emerging victorious on each occasion. The first meeting took place on December 8, 1987, with the Terps securing a win. Subsequent victories in season openers against Mount St. Mary's were recorded on November 23, 1991, and November 13, 2015.

Analysts predict a convincing win for Maryland in Tuesday's game. KenPom.com projects a 22-point victory, BartTorvik.com predicts a 15-point win, and ESPN BPI gives the Terps an impressive 92.5% chance of coming out on top.

Mount St. Mary's, now a member of the MAAC conference after previously being in the NEC, finished last season with a record of 13-20. The Mountaineers were voted to finish fifth in the MAAC preseason coaches' poll. Led by head coach Dan Engelstad, who is in his sixth year with the program, Mount St. Mary's has made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament since 2000, including a recent showing in 2021.

The Mountaineers will rely heavily on senior guard Dakota Leffew, who averaged 13.1 points per game and shot 38% from beyond the arc last season. However, they lost their top scorer from the previous year, Jalen Benjamin, who transferred to Santa Clara. The team did bring in key transfers, including guard Malcolm Dread from Richmond, who is expected to have a bigger impact at Mount St. Mary's. Terrell Ard Jr., a transfer from Presbyterian, will also be a player to watch as he brings his rebounding skills to the team.

With differing projections on Mount St. Mary's, KenPom ranks them as the 259th team in Division I, while Torvik places them at 183rd.

For Maryland, this home opener presents an opportunity to gain momentum before heading into the four-team Asheville Challenge over the following weekend. Fans will get their first glimpse of Harris-Smith and Kaiser in a collegiate game setting, as they look to make their mark on the team. Coach Willard is expected to utilize his bench, providing insight into Maryland's rotation and depth.

The anticipation is high as Maryland basketball embarks on a new season against Mount St. Mary's. Fans are eager to see the Terps in action and witness the potential impact of the new recruits in what promises to be an exciting and competitive matchup.