CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 23 Virginia Cavaliers (9-1) are preparing to face off against former Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rival, the Maryland Terrapins (6-5), in a non-conference basketball matchup on Saturday, December 20. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. at the John Paul Jones Arena and will be broadcasted on ESPN as well as the Virginia Sports Radio Network.
This upcoming game marks the first meeting between UVa and Maryland since the 2018-19 season. Virginia has been dominant at John Paul Jones Arena, holding a perfect 6-0 record there this season and an impressive 110-11 record in non-conference games at JPJ since the 2009-10 season. Notably, the Cavaliers have scored 80 or more points in nine games, tying their highest total since their championship season in 2018-19, while averaging 87.1 points per game—just shy of the school record of 89.8 points set in the 1954-55 season.
Virginia is currently ranked 21st in NET rating and 24th by kenpom.com. Among the personal stories in this game, Maryland’s Elijah Saunders played for Virginia during the 2024-25 season, and UVA’s Director of Basketball Operations, Kelsey Knoche, is the daughter of the Maryland radio broadcaster Chris Knoche.
Ticket sales are available for various plans through uvatix.com, including single-game, group, and mini-plan options that offer fans the chance to select matchups featuring teams like Maryland or North Carolina.
Coach Ryan Odom, who took over as the Dean and Markel Families Men’s Head Basketball Coach in March, has begun his tenure impressively, starting with a flawless 5-0 record—an accomplishment that elevates him above the Cavaliers’ first coach, Henry Lannigan, who started 4-0 in the 1905-06 season. Odom boasts a strong coaching résumé, having led VCU to a remarkable 52-21 record over two seasons and to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, after achieving significant success at other institutions like UMBC and Utah State.
Historically, Virginia and Maryland have faced each other 183 times, with the Cavaliers holding a 76-107 record in this competitive rivalry. Virginia is on a positive streak, having won eight of the last nine matchups, including the last encounter on November 28, 2018, where they emerged victorious with a score of 76-71.
In their latest game, the Cavaliers secured an 84-60 win against Maryland Eastern Shore, with standout performances from Sam Lewis, who scored 15 points, and notable contributions from Thijs De Ridder and Chance Mallory.
This season, the Cavaliers have emphasized a standard of excellence built on values like humility, passion, unity, and servanthood, which informs their style of play. Newcomers Johann Grünloh and Ugonna Onyenso have provided formidable rim protection, making UVA one of the national leaders in blocked shots.
As the Cavaliers gear up for their match against the Terrapins, the momentum from their early-season performance and the legacy of their coaching staff provide a hopeful outlook. Fans can look forward to an exciting game as Virginia continues to build upon its remarkable start to the season, showcasing both seasoned talent and promising newcomers.