Terps Open Buzz Williams Era With 83-61 Win Over Coppin State In Baltimore

Monday, November 3

Baltimore, MD

6:30 PM

Maryland

1-0,0-0Big Ten

Coppin State

0-1,0-0MEAC

Team	1	2	F
Coppin St.	32	29	61
Maryland	47	36	83

Terps Open Buzz Williams Era With 83-61 Win Over Coppin State In Baltimore

11/3/2025 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Williams became the ninth coach in program history to start his Terrapin tenure with a win as Pharrel Payne dropped 21 points in his Maryland debut.

BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland opened its 12th consecutive season with a victory as the Terps downed Coppin State 83-61 on Monday as a part of Baltimore's Hall of Fame series. Five Terps scored in double-figures to give Buzz Williams his first win as the Terps' head coach.

Pharrel Payne led his new Terps with 21 points, the highest mark by a transfer in his first game as a Terp. Darius Adams broke onto the scene with 16 points in his first collegiate action while David Coit hit a trio of three-pointers to tally 13 points in his Maryland debut.

DA ➡️ Pharrel

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— Maryland Men's Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) November 3, 2025

Maryland's new-look squad gelled right away, scoring 47 points in the first half — the program's highest first-half total in a season opener since the 2019-2020 season. The chemistry was evident in the Terps' only regular season test before their upcoming Gold Rush game against Georgetown on Nov. 7.

The Terps had a historic night from three-point range, hitting 10 shots — tied for their most in a season opener in program history. Andre Mills and Coit both sank three of them to lead the team on a night where the freshmen class was responsible for 29 points.

Fueled by hustle 😤

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— Maryland Men's Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) November 4, 2025

How it Happened:
First Half:

Adams recorded the Terps' first points of the season with a pair of free throws.
A Payne dunk put Maryland ahead for the first time.
Mills drained the Terps' first three-pointer of the season during an early 9-0 run.
Both Isaiah Watts and Elijah Saunders hit their first shots from range as Maryland took control of the action.
Mills hit another three as Maryland captured an 18-6 lead.
An 8-0 Terps run spanned over three minutes as Maryland built its lead.
Another Saunders three put the Terps up 30-14.
Payne threw a dunk down as Maryland extended its lead to 38-25.
Coit hit a three-pointer with three to play in the half.
Maryland took a 47-32 lead into the break.

Second Half:

Coppin State opened the half on a 10-3 run.
Watts' second three of the night put the Terps back ahead by 10.
Coit hit Maryland's 10th three of the night to put the Terps up 77-53.
An 8-0 Terps run put the game out of reach late.
Maryland won its season opener 83-61.

Instant Impacts:

With Darius and Guillermo Del Pino starting Monday's contest, Maryland had multiple freshmen in the starting lineup of a season opener for the first time since the 2018-19 season opener against Delaware (future NBA players Jalen Smith, Aaron Wiggins).
Maryland freshmen combined for 29 points in Monday's win.

1,000 Point Watch

With 21 points on Monday, Payne moves 60 points away from 1,000 in his collegiate career.

Numbers to Know:

3: Maryland improves to 3-1 all-time against Coppin State.
5: The Terps had five players score 10 or more points on Monday.
9: With the win, Maryland coaches are now 9-1 all-time in their debuts.
12: The Terps have won 12 straight season openers.
16: Williams improved to 16-3 in his career in season openers.
21: Payne's 21 points are the most by a transfer in his Maryland debut.
47: Maryland only scored 47 or more points in the first half nine times last season.
77: The Terps are now 77-30 all-time in season openers.

Buzz's Breakdown:

"I thought there was more continuity on both sides of the ball."
"I thought the energy was pure. I thought our execution of what we wanted to do on the court was more apparent."
"We want to make more free throws than our opponent attempts."
"Adams has the ability to get fouled. His footwork is tremendous."

Payne's Historic Debut:

"I would say in general, I'm leaning on my guys. It takes the whole team to get it done. We were able to come out tonight and I was able to lean on them to have my back and I had their backs."
"If I'm open, give me the ball. If I'm not, work it through the rotation and let's get points however we can."
"We came out with the impression that we're willing to fight to compete."

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