Maryland basketball is standing at a crossroads. The departure of Kevin Willard to Villanova sent shockwaves through the program, leading to a wave of players entering the transfer portal. But just when it seemed like the Terrapins were in full rebuild mode, a new twist has emerged—one that could change everything.

Buzz Williams, fresh off his exit from Texas A&M, has wasted no time in trying to steady the ship. He’s called for an early-morning meeting, gathering the entire team, including those who have already declared for the portal. Some have one foot out the door, but not all exits are final.

According to insiders, at least one player might be having second thoughts, and a potential return could shake up the offseason narrative. Of all the names Maryland has lost to the portal, Rodney Rice’s departure hurt the most. The 6-foot-4 guard was expected to be a cornerstone of the backcourt next season after averaging 13.8 points per game. His ability to create offense and knock down shots made him one of the most promising pieces in Maryland’s system.

Rice wasted no time testing the waters, and early reports linked him to Villanova, where his former coach Willard has landed. But here’s where things get interesting—sources suggest that Rice hasn’t made up his mind just yet. While he remains a long shot to return, Buzz Williams’ arrival could force him to reconsider.

For Rice, it comes down to one question: Does he take a leap into the unknown at a new program, or does he trust Williams’ vision for Maryland and stay where he was beginning to flourish? The meeting could prove to be pivotal in his final decision.

Unlike Rice, freshman guard Malachi Palmer seems more open to the idea of staying. The 6-foot-6 four-star recruit has been viewed as a long-term piece of Maryland’s puzzle, and sources close to him suggest that he’s leaning toward staying under Williams.

For Palmer, the timing of the coaching change threw everything into question. But rather than immediately jumping ship, he’s taking a wait-and-see approach. If Williams can lay out a compelling vision for his development, Palmer might opt to stay, preventing yet another major loss for the Terps.

While there’s still hope for Rice and Palmer, Ja’Kobi Gillespie seems all but gone. The 6-foot-1 junior had a breakout season, averaging 14.7 points and 4.8 assists, and he’s already drawing serious interest from Tennessee. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the Volunteers are the frontrunners to land him, with a 70% confidence rating on his commitment. That number alone suggests that Gillespie isn’t looking back. Adding fuel to the fire, insiders say he won’t even attend Williams’ meeting, a sign that his mind is made up.

For Maryland, losing Gillespie is a tough blow. But if Rice or Palmer decides to return, it would soften the impact and give Williams a much-needed early win in his tenure. However, this isn’t the only thing he needs to fix!

How can Buzz Williams be a game-changer for Maryland despite daunting challenges?

Buzz Williams is stepping into a whirlwind at Maryland, and there’s no time to ease in. The immediate priority? Completely retooling a roster that has been stripped to its core by the transfer portal and expiring eligibility. The Terps could potentially be without their entire starting lineup, a group dubbed the “Crab Five” that just led Maryland to its first Sweet 16 since 2016.

It’s a daunting challenge, but Williams has built his reputation on exactly this kind of turnaround. The Terps’ offseason exodus is staggering. Starting forward Julian Reese and key wing Selton Miguel have exhausted their eligibility. Freshman sensation Derik Queen, a projected NBA lottery pick, has yet to announce his plans, but most expect him to declare for June’s draft.

The departures don’t stop there. Key reserves DeShawn Harris-Smith and Tafara Gapare have entered the transfer portal, and four-star high school guard Chris Jeffery decommitted after initially committing to Maryland in October. Simply put, Williams is taking over a roster in complete flux.

Maryland fans might be panicking, but if there’s one coach who thrives in chaos, it’s Buzz Williams. He’s no stranger to program transformations, having already turned around Virginia Tech and Marquette.

When he arrived in Blacksburg in 2014, Virginia Tech had made just one NCAA tournament appearance in 18 years. Under Williams, the Hokies punched their ticket in his third season and made three straight March Madness appearances. The highlight? A near-upset in a nail-biting Sweet 16 loss to No. 1 seed Duke in 2019. Before that, Williams built a powerhouse at Marquette. He led the Golden Eagles to five NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2013 and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2011.

His coaching career has been defined by winning. Across his previous three major head coaching stops—Marquette, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M—he’s racked up over 100 wins at each school. Now, at Maryland, he has the chance to join an elite club.

He could become the third coach to earn 100 victories at four programs, joining Lefty Driesell and Steve Alford. Well, he takes up the throne with a career coaching record of 373-228 (.621 winning percentage). His journey began back in 2006-07 in New Orleans, where he spent just one season. But wherever he’s gone, he’s brought the same relentless energy and the same results. So, is Maryland the next???