Freshman forward Crystal Langhorne makes her ACC tournament debut tonight against Clemson in Greeensboro. Langhorne was named ACC Rookie of the Year.
The Terrapin women’s basketball team watched as Clemson’s press defense erased a 10-point lead last month, forcing turnovers and ruining the Terps’ offensive rhythm. While the Terps eventually came back, sealing the game with their school-record tying 11th 3-pointer, the usually calm Terp guards appeared surprised by Clemson’s tenacious defense.
Tonight, the Terps (19-8, 7-7 ACC) face Clemson in the first round of the ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C., where the last-place Tigers (8-19, 2-12) enter as underdogs. But with their previous meeting still on their minds, the Terps are not looking past the squad that nearly knocked them off a few weeks ago.
“Clemson only has the tournament left, so they’re going to lay it all out there,” Terp coach Brenda Frese said. “They’ve got nothing to lose.”
The Terps have much to lose, however, specifically an improved seed in the NCAA tournament. While the No. 25-ranked Terps have shown they can hang with the nation’s best, they are also prone to sluggish starts — especially on defense — that can put them at a disadvantage against a hyped-up opponent.
“It comes down to defense, bottom line,” guard Shay Doron said. “That’s what wins the games at the end of the year.”
While no Clemson player averages double figures, five average at least seven points, meaning the Terps can not focus on one person. In the previous meeting, three Tigers scored at least 15 points.
“We definitely have to do a better job than giving up 82 points like the last time we played them,” Frese said. “It starts with us on the defensive end.”
Defense has been a focus point for Frese’s young team this season and must remain solid all weekend if the Terps hope to win four games in four days for their first conference title since 1989.
The Terps’ backcourt will also prevent the Tiger defense from double- and triple-teaming forward Crystal Langhorne, a method Frese labeled “junk defense.” Last time, guard Ashleigh Newman’s seven 3-pointers helped extend the defense, allowing Langhorne more room inside. Guard Kalika France added 19 points in that meeting, punishing Clemson for focusing on Doron as well, who Clemson coach Jim Davis said poses the greatest problem for his defense.
“We don’t have an answer for her,” Davis said of Doron, who despite a sore shoulder finished with 12 points in the 87-82 win. “We don’t have this year, for the first time, maybe ever, a good on-ball defender.”
Still, Davis praised his team.
“Everybody’s record now is 0-0 because we’re all even when it comes to the conference tournament,” Davis said. “I’m sure coach Frese was not pleased with her team’s effort down here but I think our team had something to do with it.”
TERP NOTES: Langhorne was named ACC Rookie of the Year. She is the first Terp to earn the honor since Bonnie Rimkus in 1991.
