The Terrapin women’s basketball team ran through practice drills on its home court yesterday, one of its final tune-ups before the NCAA tournament this weekend. But while most tourney-bound teams squeeze in a few more home practices before traveling across the country, the Terps don’t have to worry.
Unlike other No. 7 seeds, and unlike most of the 65-team field, the Terps won’t have to leave home to play their first-round game.
The Terps (21-9) face No. 10 seed Wisconsin-Green Bay (27-3) in the opening round Sunday afternoon at Comcast Center, where they hope to record a first-round victory in consecutive years for the first time since 1990. Knowing they could do it at home, where the Terps are 12-3 this season, lets the Terps breathe a little easier.
“A tremendous advantage,” coach Brenda Frese said. “You get to sleep in your own beds. You have your family and friends and a lot more people here to cheer you on.”
The Terps are the lowest seed to play a first-round game at home. Should they knock off Wisconsin-Green Bay, the Terps have arguably the best chance of all No. 7 seeds to reach the Sweet 16, particularly because of the home-court advantage.
Fellow No. 7-seed Texas Christian faces No. 10-seed Oregon in Seattle. Iowa State must get past Utah and, likely, No. 2-seed Stanford — rated No. 1 in the polls last week — in California. Next year’s new ACC team, Boston College, would need to upset No. 2-seed Duke in Chapel Hill, N.C.
“How many teams get that chance?” senior guard Anesia Smith said. “I’ll take a No. 7 seed to be playing at home.”
An average of 4,169 fans attended each Terp home game this season, including an ACC women’s record 17,243 mark set against rival Duke in February. In 15 home games, the Terps never drew fewer than 2,435 — a 41-point blowout of Loyola.
Aside from added fan support, the Terps also have a statistical advantage playing at home. They shoot 46 percent from the field and average 76 points at Comcast Center, compared to 44 percent shooting and 70 points per game away from home. Defensively, the Terps allow opponents to just 61 points on 39 percent shooting at home, including holding No. 1 – seeds North Carolina and Duke below 40 percent.
“We’re on our own floor,” sophomore guard Kalika France said. “We tend to shoot much better on our own turf than we do anywhere else.”
Still, the Terps will not be pleased to just win at home.
“Our first two goals are to get out, get away from home,” France said. “Then after that, we’ll see where it takes us.”
Tickets ($40 adults, $25 students all-session; $20 adults, $15 students single session) are available by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office, (800) 462-8377.
