UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) basketball is a small-school program that has had moments of big news. The team plays as the UMBC Retrievers and wears black and gold. In this blog I’ll explain their most famous win, what the program looks like now, where they play, and why fans enjoy following them. I’ll keep the language simple and use clear headings so it’s easy to read.
A short history and the big moment
UMBC is not one of the big basketball schools, but it did something huge in 2018. In the 2018 NCAA Tournament, UMBC beat the No. 1 overall seed, the Virginia Cavaliers. That game was a shock across college basketball because it was the first time a 16-seed beat a 1-seed in the men’s tournament. Jairus Lyles led the team that night and UMBC won by 20 points. The upset is the moment many people think of first when they hear “UMBC basketball.” (Wikipedia)
That single game changed how many people see the program. Before 2018, UMBC was mostly known regionally. After the upset, the school got national attention, and the win became part of March Madness lore. Players from that team and the coaches who led them are still often mentioned when fans talk about big tournament surprises. (Wikipedia)
Where UMBC plays and what the team looks like today
UMBC plays its home games at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, a campus arena where students and local fans gather to watch home games. The arena can be loud and close, which gives the Retrievers a true home-court feel on game nights. In recent seasons UMBC has been a member of the America East Conference, and it competes against regional schools in that league. (Wikipedia)
In the 2024–25 season the team finished with a record that was below .500 overall and had a losing record in conference play. That season ended in the America East tournament, where UMBC did not advance past the quarterfinals. These results show that the program has ups and downs — one great historic moment does not automatically mean the team will be strong every year. (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
Coaches and staff — recent changes
Coaching matters a lot for a program like UMBC. Ryan Odom was the coach who led UMBC to the famous 2018 upset and became a popular figure because of that success. Odom helped raise the profile of the program during his time there. In the seasons that followed, staff and coaches changed as people moved to other jobs or teams. By the 2025–26 season, Jim Ferry is listed as the UMBC head coach, leading a coaching staff working to build consistency and develop players. Coaching transitions are normal in college basketball, and each coach brings different ideas about how the team should play. (Wikipedia)
Recent seasons — what happened after the big win
After 2018, UMBC had to work to keep momentum. Some seasons were better than others. The 2024–25 season showed the team still faces tough competition in the America East and in non-conference games. Results around that time included a mix of wins and losses and some close conference games. That kind of record suggests the team is competitive but not yet able to challenge the top programs in the conference every night. Fans and the coaching staff often focus on recruiting, player development, and game plans to try to move the team forward. (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
Players to know and watch
Every year the roster changes because players graduate, transfer, or arrive as freshmen. After the 2018 team, a few players became well known for their roles in the upset. Today, newer players try to build their own stories. When you follow UMBC, look out for guards who can score and push the pace, and for forwards who can rebound and defend. The roster pages on UMBC’s official site give names, positions, and short bios for the current players, so fans can track newcomers and veterans. Roster pages also show height, hometown, and year — useful details to learn about the team.
How the team plays — style and strengths
UMBC teams under different coaches have shown different styles. Some Retrievers teams play faster and try to score quickly in transition. Other times they focus on set plays, defense, or using the inside-out game with bigs and shooters. The coaching staff will often adjust the style based on who is on the roster and the coach’s philosophy. For fans, this means watching a UMBC game can feel fresh: the team might surprise you with quick offense one night and a more controlled approach the next.
Game day experience and fan culture
If you go to a UMBC home game, the event feels local and community-oriented. Students, alumni, and neighbors attend and bring energy. The band, the student section, and the school mascot help make a game lively. For a program like UMBC, home games are also a chance to recruit and to get local media attention. For families and first-time visitors, the arena is a friendly place to watch college basketball without the big-school crowd size.
Why UMBC matters beyond wins and losses
UMBC’s 2018 win showed how one game can change a school’s story. More than the scoreboard, UMBC’s moment in 2018 gave hope to smaller programs everywhere: that on a single night, with the right work and belief, a team can upset the odds and become part of sports history. That idea — the underdog beating the favorite — is why many people still follow UMBC’s seasons with interest. New players and coaches keep trying to write the next chapter of that story. (Wikipedia)
How to follow UMBC basketball
If you want to stay updated:
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Check UMBC’s official athletics site for schedules, rosters, and news. The school posts game recaps, coach comments, and photos. (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
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Watch box scores and game summaries on sports sites like ESPN. Those pages give play-by-play, final scores, and player stats. (ESPN.com)
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Follow local sports writers and the America East Conference pages for conference news and standings. They often provide context on how UMBC ranks against league rivals. (America East)
What fans should watch this season
Each season brings new storylines. For UMBC, fans can look for:
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How the coach uses new players and transfers. New faces can change how the team performs. (Wikipedia)
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Key conference matchups — beating conference rivals is important for seeding in the America East tournament. (America East)
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Whether the team can build consistency on both offense and defense. A few close wins can turn into momentum if the team learns to finish games well.
Final thoughts
UMBC basketball is a program with a memorable high point and a steady effort to build more success. The 2018 upset of Virginia remains one of college basketball’s greatest moments, and it still draws new fans to the Retrievers. Today the team works through normal college basketball cycles — new coaches, new players, and new goals. If you enjoy underdog stories, tight local rivalries, and watching young players grow, UMBC is a team worth following.