Maryland’s 80-49 loss to Notre Dame on Tuesday in the Elite Eight was a sobering finish to a stellar season. Starting point guard Anjale Barrett and valuable reserves Lynetta Kizer and Kim Rodgers are graduating, but the team could take on a similar look without them.
Incoming 6-foot-3 freshman Malina Howard (Twinsburg, Ohio), who is ranked first in the nation among pivot players, is nice compensation for the loss of the 6-4 Kizer.
Recommended Stories
Replacing the outside shooting of Rodgers will be 5-8 Katie Rutan, a transfer from Xavier who sat out this season. Twice in her two seasons with the Musketeers, Rutan hit seven 3-pointers in a game.
Stepping in at point guard will be Brene Moseley, a dynamic scoring point who provided energy off the bench this year and could take a major step forward as her recovery from a torn ACL 21 months ago continues.
Another incoming freshman, 6-2 Tierney Pfirman, rated fourth in the nation at forward, will give coach Brenda Frese even more options, perhaps allowing standout point-forward Alyssa Thomas to play more in the backcourt.
– Kevin Dunleavy