The world of college basketball is still humming after the news of Buzz Williams leaving Texas A&M for Maryland and Kevin Willard departing Maryland for Villanova. The influence of this exchange has the fans of the teams, as well as experts, debating about which one of these coaches will have the best season.
On the latest episode of “The Field of 68: After Dark” podcast on YouTube, analysts dissected the hires, weighing roster challenges, program fit, and coaching skills to predict who’ll rise above the others in the upcoming season.
Buzz Williams Vs. Kevin Willard: Who Will Shine Brighter This Season?
Kevin Willard’s exit from Maryland was messy. After leading the Terrapins to a 27-9 record and a Sweet 16 berth in 2025, Willard publicly criticized Maryland’s lack of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funding and administrative support.
“I want to win a national championship, but things need to change,” Willard said before the Sweet 16 loss to Florida. His move to a basketball-centric program like Villanova offers more than enough resources but comes with roster concerns.
Analysts on The Field of 68 expressed skepticism about Villanova’s current lineup. “I don’t like their roster right now,” one analyst noted, pointing to transfers like Devin Askew, who averaged 15.7 points at Long Beach State but struggled at high-major stops, and unproven freshman Aadian Lewis.
The podcast highlighted how Willard’s acrimonious Maryland departure hurt his transfer portal appeal. “The negativity surrounding the hire didn’t help him at all,” they said. With eight players from last season’s 21-win Villanova team entering the portal, including top scorers Eric Dixon and Wooga Poplar, Willard will need to rebuild.
On the other hand, Buzz Williams’ move from Texas A&M, where he posted a 120-73 record and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, to Maryland was eyebrow-raising. The Field of 68 crew called it a “head-scratcher” due to Maryland’s administrative chaos, as they have no permanent athletic director.
Yet, they unanimously praised Williams’ coaching ability. “The dude can coach,” one said. “You’re going to be in the tournament in two years. I can take that to the bank.”
Williams also inherits a Maryland roster gutted by departures. Star freshman Derik Queen, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, is likely NBA-bound, and six players, including starters Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice, hit the transfer portal.
However, Williams has already secured eight transfers, including Texas A&M holdovers Pharrel Payne and Solomon Washington. “Buzz is a grinder,” the analysts noted. “His teams play that way.”
In the end, Analysts lean toward Williams for a stronger first year. Maryland’s Big Ten schedule is brutal, but Williams’ track record of quick turnarounds, as evidenced by 23 wins in his third Texas A&M season, gives him an edge.
KEEP READING: Fans Left in Disarray As Kevin Willard Signs Grand Canyon Transfer to Villanova
Villanova’s lighter Big East slate could help Willard, but his unproven roster and portal struggles tilt the scales. “Buzz will win games,” the podcast came to the conclusion.
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