Maryland men’s basketball releases its non-conference schedule

(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)

With less than 10 days until the season begins, Monday, Maryland men’s basketball released its seven-game non-conference schedule. The Terps non-conference slate begins with their season opener in College Park on Nov. 25 against Old Dominion. Last season, the Terps non-conference schedule was slightly larger, as it was nine games. 

In addition to the season opener, the Terps are hosting Navy and Mount St. Mary’s on Nov. 27 and Nov. 29 respectively. Soon after, Maryland will face off against Monmouth on Dec. 1 and George Mason for the second consecutive season on Dec. 4. Last season, at the Xfinity Center the Terps defeated the Patriots 86-63 on Nov. 22.

Next on Dec. 9, the Terps will face off against Clemson on the road in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. It will be the first time both teams have faced off since 2014, when Maryland was also a member of the ACC. That game against Clemson will be the Terps only non-conference game played away from the Xfinity Center. 

To round out the non-conference schedule, the Terps will host La Salle on Dec. 22. However, to begin the season there will be no fans allowed at the Xfinity Center. 

Last season, Navy, Old Dominion and Mount St. Mary’s all finished with below .500 records. Monmouth won 18 games in 2019-20, the highest number of any of the Terps’ non-conference opponents.

Beyond the non conference schedule, the Big Ten has yet to release the conference schedule. However, the Big Ten will be as strong as ever. Half of the conference was ranked in the preseason AP poll, including No. 5 Iowa, No. 7 Wisconsin, No. 8 Illinois, No. 13 Michigan State, No. 23 Ohio State, No. 24 Rutgers and No. 25 Michigan.