Maryland women’s basketball received the No. 4 seed in the Birmingham 2 region and will face No. 13 seed Norfolk State in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday. The Terps will play their first and potential second round game in College Park.
The Terps’ selection marks their 14th consecutive appearance in the national tournament, not including the 2019-20 tournament, which was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To be selected as one of the best 16 teams in the country and to be able to host is an honor,” coach Brenda Frese said. “But one that these guys have put a lot of hard work into. I know for us we want to continue this season as long as we can.”
Norfolk State enters the tournament as champions of the MEAC. The Spartans went an undefeated 14-0 in conference play and finished the season with a 30-4 mark. Graduate guard Diamond Johnson leads Norfolk State, averaging 19 points per game.
“They’re a great group, they put in a lot of work to be in the NCAA tournament,” Shyanne Sellers said. “Diamond Johnson, the head of the snake for them, [is a] great player, competitive.”
[Q&A: Bracketologists talk Maryland women’s basketball expectations before NCAA tournament]
Maryland’s strong finish to the regular season, where it won six of eight contests, put it in contention for a top-four seed and the ability to host first and second round games in College Park.
The Terps boasted the fifth-most Quadrant 1 wins in Division I with eight, tied with Duke, NC State and TCU. Their 10 true road wins were tied for the second-most by a Power Four conference team this season.
Maryland has found success this season despite a limited rotation. Junior guard Bri McDaniel suffered a season-ending ACL tear in January, while senior Shyanne Sellers experienced a knee injury and redshirt junior Saylor Poffenbarger missed action due to a lower leg injury. Sellers and Poffenbarger are expected to play Saturday.
The Terps’ path to the Sweet 16 will most likely be against No. 5 seed Alabama in the second round.
