Terrapins women’s basketball team during their media day on Oct. 21, 2014 at the Xfinity Center.
During media day on Tuesday, the Terrapins women’s basketball players discussed the physicality of the Big Ten, and guard Lexie Brown highlighted the difference in the pace of play in the Terps’ new conference.
But in the Terps’ lone contest with a Big Ten team last season, the Terps were the ones who controlled the paint. They outrebounded Ohio State 53-35 en route to a 12-point victory in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
This season, after losing three starting seniors, including two frontcourt mainstays, the Terps plan to use their athleticism to outmatch the physical style of play for which Brown said their new conference is known.
“Our game focuses primarily on running,” guard Chloe Pavlech said. “The Big Ten hasn’t experienced a transition like our transition, so I think they are really going to have to adjust to that.”
In the game against the Buckeyes last season, the Terps attempted 64 shots from the field during the contest, slightly above their average from ACC play. Still, a 35.9 shooting percentage led the Terps to score less than their season average.
And this season, the Terps plan on sustaining their fast-paced play throughout the Big Ten schedule, especially because coach Brenda Frese sees athleticism as one of her team’s strongest attributes.
“In my 12 years here at Maryland, I feel like this is one of the most athletic teams that we’ve ever had,” Frese said.
So when league play begins Dec. 29 with a home bout against the Buckeyes, the Terps expect it to be a battle of two teams vying to impose their styles of play on each other. With the Terps’ combination of depth and athleticism, they anticipate they’ll be able to wear down Big Ten opponents.
“It will be hard to run with us for 40 minutes,” guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough said.
Still, the Terps can only control the pace when they have the ball. Playing defense in the Big Ten will take some getting used to, especially after losing three starting seniors from a season ago.
Three-time ACC Player of the Year forward Alyssa Thomas, who led the team in steals and finished third in blocks, won’t be on the floor. Neither will center Alicia DeVaughn, who tied the team lead with 18 blocks last season.
“We are going to have to focus on the physicality,” said guard Laurin Mincy, the only senior on the roster. “In the half-court sets, we are going to have to play defense for the whole shot clock and hope to get a stop.”
If the Big Ten media and coaches are right, the Terps won’t have a problem adjusting to the new conference. Both polls selected the Terps as the preseason favorite.
“It’s humbling,” Frese said. “You haven’t played a game in the Big Ten and you’re already tabbed to win it. It speaks volumes in terms of being recognized for having a national-level program.”
The Terps have had strong success against Big Ten opponents during Frese’s tenure. Since the start of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, the Terps are 7-0, the only team still undefeated that has played at least one game in the event.
This season will mark a new journey for the Terps with different competition. But they aren’t ready to change their identity.
“Not only will we have to adjust to them, but they will have to adjust to us,” Walker-Kimbrough said. “I don’t think they have seen the athleticism that we’re about to bring.”
