COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's basketball team had a spirited opening practice on Friday afternoon at XFINITY Center.  Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon's two-hour practice focused primarily on defense and transition basketball.

“I liked our focus, energy and concentration today,” Turgeon said after his team finished their work with a myriad of individual shooting drills. “It was a good first step, but It was great just to be back on the court.”

The Terps welcome back all-conference standout senior guard/forward Dez Wells, who led the team in scoring with 14.9 points per game.  Senior forward Evan Smotrcyz and junior forward Jake Layman round out a talented roster which will feature six newcomers to College Park this season.

The Terps will host Maryland Madness on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at XFINITY Center and will play in pair of exhibition home games on Nov. 1 against San Francisco State at  2  p.m. and Nov. 8 against Bowie State at noon.

The exhibition contests are in preparation as Maryland makes its debut in the Big Ten conference this fall.