The Maryland women’s basketball team added two assistants and five freshmen to its roster this season, but Coach Brenda Frese?s biggest arrivals will come March 11.
That?s when she is expected to deliver twins. Frese, who is about 20 weeks pregnant, said she?s ready to lead the Terrapins in their quest for a second national title in three years ? and for good reason.
The Terrapins return four starters from last year?s team that finished 28-6 after losing to Mississippi in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Maryland plays its first exhibition game Oct. 31 when it hosts the U.S. national team at the Comcast Center. The Terrapins, who are ranked as high as No. 2 in several preseason polls, open their regular season against visiting Princeton in the preseason National Invitational Tournament on Nov. 9.
“They know what it feels like to win a national title, and know what it’s like to end a season with a sour taste in their mouth,” Frese said. “That sour taste is gone now and they are ready to move forward now.”
Frese spent the offseason preparing her assistants to run the team if she has to take maternity leave. She expects to be behind the bench in time for the NCAA tournament, as Maryland will host the first two rounds on March 23 and 25 ? two weeks after her due date. The Final Four is April 6-8 in Tampa, Fla.
The biggest loss to Maryland’s staff came when associate coach Jeff Walz left to become head coach at the University of Louisville. Frese hired former Utah assistant Daron Park to replace Walz in addition to hiring American University assistant Diane Richardson. Erica Floyd is the lone holdover from last year’s staff.
“My staff has been exchanging a lot of new ideas and each brings their own niche to the program,” Frese said. “They all have been working really hard and are communicating as well as any staff out there.”
ESPN women’s college basketball analyst Doris Burke agrees. She claims the Terrapins boast the talent and experience needed to dethrone defending champion Tennessee.
“Brenda is the type of coach who likes to be out in front personally when it comes to recruiting and being the face of the program,” Burke said. “She is also secure enough in her position with the program to put a lot of responsibility and delegate a lot to her assistants. That approach should allow Maryland to be just fine.”
