If you’re sitting in the Breslin Center on a cold January afternoon, you aren’t just watching a game. You’re watching two completely different philosophies of basketball collide. Honestly, the Michigan State Maryland basketball matchup has become one of the most underrated fixtures in the Big Ten, mostly because it doesn’t have the century-old vitriol of a rivalry like Michigan-MSU. But don’t let that fool you. Since Maryland jumped from the ACC in 2014, these two programs have been quietly staging some of the most physical, high-stakes games in the conference.
Right now, as we move through the 2025-26 season, the narrative is shifting. We aren't talking about the "new guy" in the conference anymore. Maryland is a decade into this, and the Spartans are finding themselves in a rare position where they have to prove they still own the floor against a Terrapins squad that refuses to be bullied.
The 2026 Landscape: Spartans vs. Terrapins
Let’s look at the current reality. Heading into their scheduled meeting on January 24, 2026, in East Lansing, the vibes around these two teams couldn't be more different.
Michigan State, led by the evergreen Tom Izzo, is currently sitting pretty at 15-2 overall. They just dismantled Indiana 81-60. They look like a vintage Izzo team—gritty, obsessed with rebounding, and led by a backcourt that actually values the ball. Jeremy Fears Jr. has basically evolved into the floor general everyone hoped he’d be, averaging 8.8 assists per game.
Then you have Maryland. It’s been a rougher ride for the Terps this year. They’re 7-10 overall and 0-3 in the conference. They recently took a tough 88-71 loss to USC, and they’re feeling the absence of Pharrel Payne, who has been out since mid-December. Without his 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds, the Terrapins have looked a bit lost on the interior.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
When these two meet, individual battles usually decide the outcome. It's rarely a blowout.
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- Jaxon Kohler (MSU) vs. Solomon Washington (Maryland): With Payne out for Maryland, Washington has had to step up. He’s averaging nearly a double-double (9.9 points, 9.2 rebounds). But Kohler is playing like a man possessed, coming off a 16-point, 10-rebound performance against Indiana. If Kohler wins the glass, Maryland is in trouble.
- Jeremy Fears Jr. (MSU) vs. David Coit (Maryland): Coit is a spark plug. He scored 10 straight points against USC to keep Maryland in that game. Fears, however, is the defensive anchor. If Fears can keep Coit from getting hot early, the Spartans can control the tempo.
- Cam Ward (MSU): The freshman has been a revelation. Being a Maryland native (Upper Marlboro), he always plays with a bit more "juice" against the hometown team.
Why the Michigan State Maryland Basketball Series is Weird
Most people think of Maryland as an "ACC school" still. They think of Duke or North Carolina. But if you look at the stats, Maryland’s style has become distinctly Big Ten. They’re physical. They’re defensive-minded.
Since Maryland joined the conference, the head-to-head record has been surprisingly competitive. Before this season, MSU held a slight edge, but Maryland has snatched some huge wins in College Park. The problem for the Terps? They’ve historically struggled in East Lansing. The Izzone is a different beast.
One thing people get wrong is the idea that Maryland is just "another game" for Izzo. It isn't. He has immense respect for the Maryland program and often mentions the toughness required to win in the XFINITY Center. This isn't a "rivalry" born of geography; it's a rivalry born of respect and similar grit.
The "Crab Five" and the New Era
Maryland fans are currently in a "wait until next year" phase, and honestly, it’s justified. Their 2026 recruiting class is ranked in the top five nationally, headlined by Baba Oladotun. The hype is real. But for the 2025-26 squad, the challenge is survival.
Coach Williams is essentially rebuilding the engine while the car is driving 80 mph. He brought in guys like Solomon Washington and Pharrel Payne from Texas A&M to bridge the gap, but injuries have hampered the plan.
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On the other side, Michigan State is experiencing a resurgence. After a couple of seasons where fans felt the program was "stagnating," this 2025-26 team feels fast. They’re averaging 79 points per game. That’s not the plodding, 60-58 Michigan State team of three years ago. They’re pushing the pace, and Jeremy Fears Jr. is the engine making it happen.
Surprising Statistics
If you’re betting on this game or just talking trash with friends, keep these numbers in your back pocket:
- Assists: MSU is averaging 19.0 assists per game compared to Maryland’s 10.5. The Spartans move the ball; Maryland relies much more on isolation and individual playmaking from guys like David Coit and Myles Rice.
- Points Allowed: The Spartans are only giving up 64.2 points per game. That is 13th in the nation. Maryland is giving up 78.1. That’s the gap.
- Home Court: MSU is 10-1 at home this season. Maryland is 1-2 on the road.
What Really Happened in Their Last Meeting?
While the official January 24th game is the big one on the calendar, looking back at the 2024-25 season gives us some clues. It was a dogfight.
Last season, the games were decided by an average of less than six points. Maryland’s zone defense historically gave Izzo’s sets some trouble, but with the shooting of Jaden Akins (now graduated) and the emergence of Kur Teng, MSU has finally found ways to stretch that zone.
Honestly, Maryland's best chance to beat Michigan State is to make it "ugly." If the score is in the 50s or 60s, Maryland has a shot. If Michigan State gets into the 70s or 80s, the Terps just don't have the offensive firepower—especially without Payne—to keep up.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Students
If you're following Michigan State Maryland basketball, here is how you should approach the upcoming games:
- Watch the first five minutes of the second half. Maryland has a habit of starting slow after halftime. If MSU goes on a 10-2 run out of the break, the game is basically over.
- Keep an eye on Jaxon Kohler’s positioning. He’s become the most efficient post player for the Spartans. If Maryland doesn't double-team him early, he'll drop 20 easily.
- Monitor the injury report for Pharrel Payne. If he somehow returns for the January 24th game, the odds shift significantly. His presence in the paint is the only thing that truly balances the scales for Maryland.
- Value the "Alumni Day" factor. The January 24th game is Men's Basketball Alumni Day at MSU. The atmosphere will be suffocating for a visiting team, especially a Maryland team that is already struggling for confidence.
The 2025-26 season is proving that while Michigan State is back in the elite conversation, Maryland is a program in transition, looking toward a massive 2026 influx of talent. For now, the Spartans hold the upper hand, but in the Big Ten, that usually only lasts until the next tip-off.
To stay ahead of the curve, watch how the Spartans handle Washington and Oregon on their West Coast trip before returning home. If they come back healthy, they’ll be heavy favorites. Maryland needs to find a secondary scoring option behind Coit if they want to avoid a blowout in East Lansing.
Keep an eye on the turnover margin. MSU has been uncharacteristically disciplined this year, while Maryland’s young guards have struggled under pressure. In a game like this, three or four "live-ball" turnovers usually turn into six or eight points for MSU, and that's often the entire margin of victory.