By Faith Harris and Holliday Woodard
Coach Brenda Frese returned to the podium for her 24th Maryland women’s basketball media day on Thursday, introducing an international-heavy team with seven new players. Frese is focused on roster health — an issue that plagued the Terps last season.
“Probably our biggest opponent will be staying healthy,” Frese said.
Maryland was 16-1 last season before losing three straight games after guard Bri McDaniel tore her ACL. Starting guard Saylor Poffenbarger nursed an injury through the second half of the season heading into the NCAA tournament.
McDaniel has made progress toward a return but is not set to open the season. The senior will be monitored by staff on her own timeline.
“With an ACL … I mean, she had that surgery late January,” Frese said. “Lot of times it’s a full year before you’re fully recovered.”
[How Brenda Frese, Maryland women’s basketball plan to replace lost production this season]
The team’s experience will help fill the injury gaps. The No. 10 Terps roster has four seniors, a graduate student and seven players who have appeared in a Sweet Sixteen — experience that Frese is ready to lean on.
Oluchi Okananwa averaged 10 points per game at Duke, helping the Blue Devils reach the Elite Eight last season. Frese also brought in Yarden Garzon, Indiana’s leading scorer last season, for her final collegiate campaign. Like Maryland’s returners, both carry the experience of being eliminated by South Carolina last season.
They pair well with returners like Poffenbarger, Frese said. The redshirt senior’s size and shooting abilities are similar to Garzon’s, and Frese is excited to see the two of them share the court.
Injuries limited the Terps’ defensive capabilities last season. Maryland allowed 70.5 points per game — sixth most in the conference.
But Frese has already developed multiple new play combinations to shore up the defense. A new roster that’s adapted quickly, combined with veteran commitment, and Maryland’s staff has been given the freedom to focus on developing specific skills.
[Maryland women’s basketball’s newcomers shine in scrimmage]
“The IQ of this team is off the charts with how quickly they pick up plays,” Frese said.
Maryland pairs that experience with a dominant freshman class. Three of the freshmen, including redshirts, are designated point guards who Frese appears ready to rely on.
“I really want to start games,” Slovenian freshman Lea Bartelme said.” I’m excited to see how basketball looks here, because it’s gonna be probably a little bit different than in Europe.”
The Terps are scheduled to play their first exhibition game Sunday against NC State, giving Bartelme and other international freshmen players their first game experience in the United States.
Frese has built a roster filled with new additions — one that carries high expectations. It’s been an exciting offseason, she said.
“I know for all of us, we’re really looking forward to what this journey is going to be like,” Frese said. “You’re going to love watching this team.”
