You know Maryland women’s basketball has finally arrived when a weekend matinee draws a large crowd and national TV audience and it’s not even an ACC game against fellow heavyweights North Carolina or Duke.
The No. 1 Terrapins host No. 19 Michigan State on Saturday at Comcast Center. More than 12,000 are expected despite a free showing on CBS and the students on winter break. The network wanted programming before the NFL playoff games and the Terps had a schedule opening so . . . Lights, camera, action.
“It shouts that the women’s game is important,” said Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow, “and that these two teams must be special to have been selected to participate in a true national broadcast.”
Many fans are a year late. After all, the Terps did win the national title last season. But there’s plenty of room for more fans inside Comcast Center after drawing only 7,000 last year, which was still a fourfold increase since coach Brenda Frese’s 2002 arrival.
The starting five returned and Tennessee transfer Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood recently became eligible, which is like giving Peyton Manning another great receiver. The Terps have won a school-record 22 straight after their 80-61 bouncing of N.C. State on Wednesday gave Frese her 100th victory in College Park.
This is truly a great team amid a long successful run. About the only thing that could have undermined the Terps was becoming big headed over the success, but that hasn’t happened during a 16-0 start. Even Wiley-Gatewood’s arrival that is naturally taking some points and time away from others didn’t alter chemistry. It just strengthened them.
Talk about bad news for opponents. It could be two years before someone really gets a crack at Maryland’s mantle, and only then if Frese stops
collecting blue chips like Bill Gates at poker.com.
“I laugh when people ask, ‘Do you feel the pressure, the expectations?’ ” Frese said. “I love the position. Who wouldn’t? I feel fortunate. It’s a
new experience with the kind of crowds we’re attracting.”
Sure, on the road, but Comcast was often a lonely place for both men’s and women’s basketball in December given exams and semester break. Frese can only chuckle over alumni, youth teams and father-daughter combos filling the arena while students barely come by.
“Maybe they’re waiting for ACC games,” Frese said. “They’re fickle on the men’s side on when they want to come.”
The start of the title defense is looming. Third-ranked Duke looks to avenge the title loss on Jan. 13 while No. 2 North Carolina, whom the Terps beat in the Final Four semifinal, comes to Comcast on Jan. 28.
Michigan State is the warm-up act, though a pretty good one. The Spartans come off two straight Sweet 16s and gained a 6-foot-9 freshman center that will make Terps guard Kristi Tolliver really sky those three-pointers.
The Terps get an adrenalin test before the ACC matchups. It’s a freebie of sorts. No one expects Maryland to go undefeated and a non-conference game has less pressure. Maryland will finally be tested after two months of breathers.
“Our kids are extremely excited,” Frese said. “They know the caliber of opponent, being on national TV. They’re excited to start playing great
competition.
“We’re ready for next step.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
