Three storylines to watch as Maryland men's basketball hosts West Virginia

Ahmed Ghafir

10 hours ago

3 min read

West Virginia vs. Maryland - Exhibition

When: Sunday, October 18 | 3:00 PM

Where: Xfinity Center, College Park, Md.

Television: N/A

Streaming: http://www.bigtenplus.com

Radio: N/A

After cruising by Georgia Tech in Baltimore, Maryland is set for what is expected to be a more competitive scrimmage now in College Park when they host West Virginia on Sunday afternoon. Taking a look at what to what in exhibition #2:

Test in the Frontcourt

After missing the GT exhibition with a minor injury, new Maryland forward Tomislav Buljan is expected to be active on Sunday where he will get a chance to anchor the frontcourt alongside Pharrel Payne, who was a standout in game one. The duo will face a tougher test with Brenen Lorient, a 6-foot-9 fifth-year forward and one of two returnees, and 6-foot-10 center Mouhamed Sylla -- who transferred in from Georgia Tech -- expected to start for the Mountaineers.

Sylla started in all but one of his 16 appearances with the Yellow Jackets in 2025-26 where he started in 9.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, including five double-doubles, with Lorient starting in all 34 games for the Mountaineers. Lorient also proved to be a two-way impact where he shot over 54% from the field, averaged nearly 12 points per game and blocked a team-high 45 shots.

Maryland's frontcourt should be a strength in 2026-27 with veteran Robert Jennings rounding out the bulk of the frontcourt minutes, but Sunday provides an adequate measuring stick for the unit.

Maryland's Perimeter Defense

After Maryland's guards won the battle against Georgia Tech's backcourt, Sunday offers a big test. Freshman guard Miles Sadler is a big reason why with the former five-star out of Bella Vista Academy expected to anchor ball handling duties where he could add tempo to the Mountaineers' offense. How that matches up against Maryland will be a big test.

Kaden House dazzled in his debut after registering a pair of steals, turning one into a dunk, along with 14 points in 14 minutes in his unofficial debut, though Sunday marks a chance for him to go up against a former high school rival. Bishop Boswell, who didn't play in the second half vs. GT, will also have something to say in the matchup with a chance to cement himself as the team's top perimeter defender, along with Andre Mills showcasing his two way impact in a tougher assignment than a week ago.

Sadler won't be the only one to watch with Butler transfer Finley Bizjack getting settled at WVU after becoming an All-Big East Third Team selection after averaging 17.1 points in 2025-26. He also shot 42.5% from the field and just north of 36% from three during his three seasons at Butler. Boise State transfer Javan Buchanan is expected to be a key piece of the backcourt rotation where he started in 31 games and averaged 12.6 points while shooting 42.3% from three in 2025-26.

Development of New Pieces

Kaden House's defense drew buzz in the offseason, but it translated immediately into the freshman becoming a standout in game one. Mike McNair, meanwhile, also flashed his perimeter scoring after drilling all three of his three-point attempts, teaming up with House as the two Terps to finish 100% from deep in the win. Beyond that, it was a quiet outing from the new impact pieces.

Head coach Buzz Williams noted Bishop Boswell was held out of the second half after he posted two points, two rebounds and one assist in eight minutes. DJ Wagner, meanwhile, added six points, three steals and three rebounds, though also accounted for a pair of turnovers in 26 minutes. Five-star freshman Baba Oladotun was one of two to finish with four fouls, in addition to six points and a pair of turnovers while shooting 20% from the field in 25 minutes.

Can game two offer more comfort and impact plays in the halfcourt? That's

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