The Hall of Fame men’s basketball series is returning to Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, with four area teams headlined by Maryland and new coach Buzz Williams.

The Terps will clash with Coppin State in one game, while Towson will tangle with Loyola Maryland in the other.

Although schedules for the 2025-26 season have yet to be released, the matchup will mark Williams’ debut at Maryland since agreeing to replace Kevin Willard, who left to fill the vacancy at Villanova. Willard’s decision came just three days after the team, a No. 4 seed at the time, had lost to No. 1 seed and eventual NCAA champion Florida, 87-71, in its first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2016 and concluded a 27-9 campaign.

“The Hall of Fame Series will be a tremendous way to open the upcoming season, and it is going to be special for the passionate basketball fans of Baltimore,” Williams said in a statement distributed by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Position Sports. “I believe the last time the University of Maryland Men’s Basketball team played in Baltimore was 2018, so it will be a good opportunity to get the Terps back in a city with such great basketball history.”

The Terps have won two of three meetings with the Eagles, cruising to victories of 95-79 on Nov. 25, 2022, and 75-53 on Dec. 28, 2023. But the first matchup went Coppin State’s way in a 70-63 win in 1989. Current coach Larry Stewart, who guided last year’s squad to a 6-24 record, played on the 1989 team that defeated the Terps.

“It’s a great opportunity for our program and institution to be a part of this HOF Series Baltimore to kick off the season,” Stewart said. “I am excited for our guys and our fans as we get to play against a top-tier program like Maryland, who welcomes new head coach Buzz Williams right out of the gate. I’m expecting CFG Arena to be sold out with both of our schools’ fan bases in the building along with the great sports fans in the City of Baltimore.”

Loyola owns a 44-31 advantage in its series with Towson. The Greyhounds, who went 12-19 in their first season under coach Josh Loeffler, defeated the Tigers in the first 20 matchups, but have not triumphed since Nov. 26, 2012.

“We are excited to be playing at a great venue in our home city in an event that brings local teams and fans together,” Loeffler said. “These games should provide a fun environment for all basketball fans in the Charm City.”

Towson has enjoyed more recent success against Loyola, winning four straight, including the last meeting by an 85-69 score on Nov. 25, 2018. Last winter, the Tigers (22-11) captured their first outright Coastal Athletic Association regular-season title before exiting in the tournament semifinals.

“We are excited to tip off the season at the newly renovated CFG Arena versus a Loyola program that is on the rise under Coach Loeffler,” Towson coach Pat Skerry said. “I want to thank the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for including us in this showcase of basketball programs from Maryland. It is always a challenge but also exciting to play the other local programs, and this game will be no different.”

On Nov. 15, an announced attendance of 4,868 watched Penn State clobber Virginia Tech, 86-64, and Virginia defeat Villanova, 70-60. The event was the first of a two-year agreement between the Hall of Fame, Visit Baltimore and Maryland Sports Commission president Terry Hasseltine.

“Returning to Baltimore for a second year demonstrates the growing excitement around the Hall of Fame Series and the region’s passion for college basketball,” Position Sports president Melissa Meacham-Grossman said. “With Maryland headlining alongside respected local programs like Coppin State, Towson and Loyola, this event highlights the incredible basketball tradition in and around Baltimore. It’s an honor to partner with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to bring these matchups back to the world-class CFG Bank Arena.”

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