Maryland Terrapins
Big Ten (30-2, 18-0)
Maryland has not missed a beat in their first season as a member of the Big Ten Conference. They have come right in and immediately took control of the conference. The Terrapins have run the table in conference play and ended the season with a perfect 18-0 record in Big Ten play.
Big Wins: 11/22 at George Washington (75-65), 1/15 at Rutgers (71-59), 2/1 Iowa (93-88)
Bad Losses: 11/29 vs Washington State (64-70), 12/3 at Notre Dame (72-92)
Coach: Brenda Frese
Why They Can Surprise:
Maryland has a very balanced offensive attack led by Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Laurin Mincy and Lexie Brown in the backcourt. The Terrapins are able to win a game at virtually any tempo, which will benefit them greatly in the NCAA Tournament. They also have the ability to cause tremendous havoc at the defensive end of the court and Maryland generates just over nine steals per game. The ability to create these extra possessions will be very beneficial as well in the postseason when there is a more of a premium placed on playing great defense. Also, the ability to win away from College Park is another great asset for the Terrapins once they get past hosting the first two rounds when the regionals are moving back to neutral sites.
Why They Can Disappoint:
It’s going to be very important for Maryland to avoid getting careless with the basketball. Turnovers cost them in the loss to Washington State when the Terrapins turned the ball over 24 times in a 70-64 loss to the Cougars. Another way Maryland can disappoint will be if they struggle shooting from behind the three-point line. Teams would then be able to sag back inside and try and shutdown the duo of Brionna Jones and Malina Howard down in the low post. Finally, if a team can gain confidence early on offensive against the Terrapins, that will increase the odds of an upset. Minnesota shot over 50 percent back on January 11th in Minneapolis and nearly upset Maryland in a 77-73 loss.
Probable Starters:
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Sophomore, Guard,
Laurin Mincy, Senior, Guard,
Lexie Brown, Sophomore, Guard,
Brionna Jones, Sophomore, Center,
Malina Howard, Junior, Center,
Key Roleplayers:
Tierney Pfirman, Junior, Forward,
Brene Moseley, Junior, Guard,
Kristen Confroy, Freshman, Guard,
Kiara Leslie, Freshman, Guard,
A’Lexus Harrison, Freshman, Forward,
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.9 (5th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.4 (96, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.0 (5, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.5 (126, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.9 (179, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.3 (91, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.8 (25, 2)
Rebound Margin: 11.1 (7, 1)
Assists Per Game: 17.2 (14, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.7 (143, 9)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA First Round win over Army
2014 NCAA Second Round win over Texas
2014 NCAA Third Round win over Tennessee
2014 NCAA Quarterfinal win over Louisville
2014 NCAA Semifinal loss to Notre Dame
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Quinnipiac
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Michigan State
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Navy
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Louisville
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Texas A&M
2012 NCAA Regional Final loss to Notre Dame
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over St. Francis (PA)
2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Georgetown
2010 NIT Round of 64 win over Iona
2010 NIT Round of 32 win over East Carolina
2010 NIT Regional Semifinal loss to Providence
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Dartmouth
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Utah
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Vanderbilt
2009 NCAA Regional Final loss to Louisville
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Coppin State
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Nebraska
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Vanderbilt
2008 NCAA Regional Final loss to Stanford
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Harvard
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Mississippi
*all team stats through 3/5
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
