Defensive intensity is something Maryland women?s basketball coach Brenda Frese stressed to her players all this week.
A lack of that intensity is one of the biggest factors Frese cited as contributing to the Terps? recent mini-slump, which toppled them from the top-ranked team in the nation to the fourth-place team in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Maryland?s players seem to have responded to Frese. The No. 6 Terps (23-3, 7-3 ACC) are going after their third win in a row Sunday at Virginia (14-10, 3-6). Maryland routed Virginia Tech (16-10, 5-5) by 19 points Thursday at Comcast Center.
“One of our main focuses in practices is our defensive energy and intensity, and each game we play, we are getting better at that,” Maryland sophomore forward Marissa Coleman said. “I think by the time the ACC and NCAA tournaments roll around, we?re going to be a very good defensive team.”
Virginia Tech had been one of the hotter teams in the ACC in recent weeks. The Hokies entered Thursday?s game having won five of their last six, including Monday?s 73-68 victory over Georgia Tech, which upset Maryland last week. But Thursday, the Hokies shot just 38.6 percent from the field.
“I thought we played better,” Frese said after the win. “We made another step forward, and I really like our defensive intensity and focus. We are getting stronger in the second half, and tonight, we held them to 26 points. I like where our focus, our energy and our concentration is. I thought we did a tremendous job being ready to play tonight.”
Frese said Maryland needs similar defensive efforts in its final four conference games for the Terps to solidify their position for postseason play and prepare to defend their national title. Those upcoming games include one at third-place Florida State (17-6, 6-2) next Thursday and the home finale next Sunday against No. 1 Duke (25-0, 10-0).
MARYLAND NOTES
» Sophomore guard Kristi Toliver led Maryland with 19 points in Thursday?s win over Virginia Tech. She shot 7 for 10 from the field, including 3 of 4 from three-point range.
» Maryland?s win Thursday clinched at least a .500 record in the ACC for the fourth straight year. The last time the Terps accomplished that feat was during a seven-year run from 1987 to ?94.
