Let’s be real for a second. If you walked into the XFINITY Center in early December 2024, you weren’t just watching a basketball game. You were witnessing a crime.
Maryland vs Ohio State basketball has always been one of those "circle the calendar" matchups in the Big Ten, but that specific night in College Park felt like the world tilted on its axis. The Terps didn’t just win; they essentially deconstructed the Buckeyes in front of a national audience. It was 50-17 at halftime. Read that again. Fifty to seventeen.
I’ve followed Big Ten hoops for a long time, and you rarely see a Jake Diebler-coached team look that lost. But that’s the thing about this specific pairing—it’s volatile. It's a matchup defined by massive scoring runs, home-court dominance, and two fan bases that genuinely don’t like each other.
The December Massacre and Why It Still Stings
That 83-59 Maryland win in 2024 was statistically historic. It tied a 30-year record for the largest halftime lead in a Big Ten conference game. Honestly, it was hard to watch if you’re a Buckeyes fan. Maryland’s defense, led by Kevin Willard’s aggressive schemes, turned Ohio State over 11 times in the first 20 minutes.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie was the catalyst. He hit three-pointers from the parking lot, and freshman sensation Derik Queen played with a level of poise that made you forget he was barely 18. Queen finished that game with a double-double—17 points and 11 rebounds—cementing his status as the heir apparent to the great Maryland big men of the past.
But here’s the thing: Ohio State didn't just roll over and die for the rest of the season.
Fast forward to February 6, 2025. Different story.
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The rematch in Columbus was a reminder of why you can’t trust a single result in this league. Ohio State clawed back from a 17-point deficit to win 73-70. Bruce Thornton decided he wasn’t going to lose, dropping 31 points and hitting free throws like he was alone in an empty gym. It was the ultimate "revenge is a dish best served in Value City Arena" moment.
Two Programs, Two Very Different Identities
When you look at Maryland vs Ohio State basketball, you're looking at a clash of philosophies.
Kevin Willard has built a roster at Maryland that thrives on length and interior dominance. Between Julian Reese and Derik Queen, the Terps arguably boast the most physically imposing frontcourt in the conference. They want to beat you in the paint. They want to make every entry pass a nightmare.
On the flip side, Diebler has the Buckeyes playing a brand of basketball that’s a bit more fluid, though sometimes frustratingly inconsistent. They rely heavily on guard play. When Thornton and John Mobley Jr. are hitting, they can beat anyone in the country. When they aren't? They're vulnerable to the exact kind of blowout we saw in December.
The Key Players You Need to Know
- Derik Queen (Maryland): The Baltimore native is a walking bucket. His footwork in the post is advanced beyond his years. He’s the kind of player who forces double teams, which opens up everything for their shooters.
- Bruce Thornton (Ohio State): He is the engine. Period. If Thornton is having a "down" night, the Buckeyes' offense often stagnates into a lot of standing around and watching.
- Julian Reese (Maryland): Often the unsung hero. While Queen gets the highlights, Reese is the defensive anchor and a relentless offensive rebounder.
- Devin Royal (Ohio State): He’s the x-factor. A versatile forward who can score in transition and keep possessions alive.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Series
A lot of folks think Ohio State has always had Maryland’s number since the Terps joined the Big Ten in 2014. That’s just not true. It’s actually been remarkably even, with a slight edge to Maryland in recent years, especially at home.
Maryland is notoriously tough at the XFINITY Center. Under Willard, they’ve maintained one of the best home-court winning percentages in the country. The "Wall" (the student section) is loud, it’s distracting, and it clearly gets under the skin of visiting teams.
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But Ohio State has this weird knack for winning the "tough" games. They find ways to pull out ugly, grit-and-grind victories when their backs are against the wall. That February 2025 comeback wasn't an anomaly; it's part of their DNA.
The Coaching Chess Match: Willard vs. Diebler
There’s a lot of mutual respect here, but also a lot of tactical friction.
Willard is a defensive mastermind. He’s known for his "identity" teams—squads that know exactly who they are by mid-January. He isn't afraid to junk up a game with press or zone if his man-to-man isn't clicking.
Diebler, in his first full season as the permanent head coach, is still carving out his legacy. He’s younger, perhaps a bit more "player-centric," and has shown a remarkable ability to keep his locker room together even after embarrassing losses. You saw it after the 50-17 halftime score. Most teams would have fractured. His team won the second half of that game (33-42) and eventually won the rematch. That says a lot about the culture he's building in Columbus.
Impact on the Big Ten Standings
In the 2024-25 season, these two teams were constantly jockeying for position in that middle-to-upper tier of the conference. Maryland finished 27-9 (14-6 in the Big Ten), while Ohio State ended up at 17-15.
While the records suggest Maryland had the better year, the head-to-head split proved that on any given night, the gap isn't that wide. These games usually determine who gets a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament and who has to play on Thursday.
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The Women’s Side: A Parallel Intensity
We can't talk about Maryland vs Ohio State basketball without mentioning the women’s programs. Brenda Frese and the Terps have a historic rivalry with the Buckeyes.
In January 2026, we saw #8 Maryland host #19 Ohio State in a "Blackout" game that lived up to every bit of the hype. The women’s series is currently 16-11 in favor of Maryland, but the games have been absolute wars lately. Last year, they split the series, including a wild 93-90 overtime win for the Terps in College Park.
The intensity on the women's side often mirrors the men's—high-scoring, physical, and emotionally charged. If you aren't watching both, you're missing half the story.
Looking Ahead: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're betting on or just watching the next installment of this rivalry, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the First 8 Minutes: Maryland is a "front-runner" team. If they get a 10-point lead early at home, it’s usually game over. They feed off the crowd.
- The Turnover Battle: Ohio State’s biggest weakness is sloppiness. If they keep the turnovers under 12, they almost always cover the spread.
- Frontcourt vs. Backcourt: It’s the classic battle. Can Maryland’s bigs dominate enough to offset Ohio State’s superior three-point shooting?
- The "Home" Factor: Don't bet against the home team in this series. Since 2022, the home team has won the vast majority of these matchups.
Maryland and Ohio State aren't just playing for a win; they're playing for respect in a conference that is increasingly dominated by the likes of Purdue and Michigan State. Every time they step on the floor, you're seeing two programs desperate to prove they belong at the top of the mountain.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for Aaron Bradshaw and any updates on the Terrapins' rotation depth heading into the post-season. The margin for error is razor-thin, and as we saw last February, 17 points can disappear in the blink of an eye.