The fifth-ranked Maryland women?s basketball team is the only squad in the country to boast three players on the final list of 30 candidates for the Naismith Award, presented annually to the game?s top female.
But for as good as center Crystal Langhorne, guard Kristi Toliver and forward Laura Harper have been this season, the Terrapins must be more than a three-woman show if they are to win their first Atlantic Coast Conference title since 1989 and second national title in three years.
That?s why Coach Brenda Frese increased the playing time of freshmen reserves Kat Lyons, a guard, and Drey Mingo, a forward, in a 90-50 win over Miami on Thursday. And don?t be surprised if the duo gets plenty of time on the court tonight at 7 when Maryland (23-2, 7-1) plays at Virginia Tech (13-9, 0-7) at the Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. Maryland is a game behind third-ranked North Carolina (19-2, 6-0) for first place in the conference, with Virginia Tech a half-game ahead of Wake Forest for last place.
“We?re definitely continuing to evaluate where our depth is,” Frese said. “We need to be able to have that and it?s also a credit to Kat and Drey because they have had two of there best practices [going into the Miami game]. Now, you?re seeing the maturity of freshmen turning the corner. They are doing some valuable things for us.”
Against Miami, Lyons had eight points and three assists in 24 minutes and Mingo contributed three points in 18 minutes. For the season, Lyons is averaging 3.1 points and 1.1 assists in 24 minutes per outing, withMingo averaging 3.8 points and 2.5 minutes in about 13 minutes per game.
For Maryland, however, it has been the play of another freshman that has been most impressive: Marah Strickland. The former Towson Catholic standout has started all 25 games and is fifth on team in scoring, averaging 11 points per game. Frese said Strickland quickly has become one of the team?s most valuable players.
“I love how Marah plays within herself,” Frese said. She waits patiently for the game to come to her. I love seeing the confidence she?s playing with on the offensive end and on the defensive end she?s done a tremendous job as she always takes the toughest assignment.”
The Terrapins, whose 23 wins are the most in Division I, look to extend their winning streak to three games over the Hokies, who have the daunting task of stopping an offense that averages 83 points per game ? something Miami couldn?t do.
“We had a little bit of success with [pressing], but I think the problem is that eventually Maryland is going to figure it out and you have to be able to adjust your defense,” Miami coach Katie Meier said. “You have to be careful speeding up the game because they can drop 120 points on you.”
