Maryland is 14-1 all-time versus Minnesota and is currently riding a 7-game winning streak over the Gophers. The most recent Terrapin victory in the series came last season at Williams when they took down the Gophers 72-64. Maryland finished conference play tied for 7th at 9-9 and received an NCAA slot as a 10 seed versus Iowa State. In the tournament, the Cyclones overcame a 20-point deficit with the aid of a 30-14 third quarter scoring binge sending the Terps home 93-86. Something had to change so head Terp Brenda Frese did the portal shuffle-again.
Frese went searching for starters to fill out a line-up featuring 6’2”, All Big Ten, senior guard Shaynne Sellers who averages (all stats are B1G games) 18.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 33.2 minutes. Sellers scored 26 against Southern Cal while going 10-11 from the line. She also scored 15 against Minnesota last season.
From Rutgers came last season’s “whatever happened to?” Scarlet Knight, Kaylene Smikle. The 6’0” junior guard averages 17.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 31 minutes. The fastbreaking Smikle had 26 against the Hawkeyes, including 4-5 from three and 6 steals.
From Arkansas came 6’2” junior guard Saylor Poffenbarger who averages 10 points and 11.4 rebounds in 33.4 minutes. Poffenbarger posted 5 points and 17 rebounds versus Southern Cal.
From VCU came 5’5” graduate guard Sarah Te-Biasu who averages1.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in 24.8 minutes. Te-Biasu was last season’s A-10 Player of the Year.
From Villanova came 6’2” senior forward Christina Dalce who averages 7 points and 8.3 rebounds in 22.2 minutes. Dalce was last season’s Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year. She had 15 points and 12 rebounds versus Southern Cal.
Back to the bench went 6’2” graduate forward Allie Kubek who averages 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.3 minutes. Kubek posted 17 points and 5 rebounds versus Rutgers and 15 points versus Minnesota last season. And 5’10” junior guard Bri McDaniel who averages13.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 26.3 minutes. McDaniel posted 13 points and 5 rebounds versus Rutgers.
Today, Kubek and McDaniel returned to the starting lineup against the Badgers because Poffenbarger (Illness) and Te-Biasu (left ankle soreness) were out for the game. McDaniel led the Terps with 21 points in an 83-68 win. Maryland turned a two point end of the 3rd quarter lead into victory because the Badgers stopped hitting threes and Sellers started driving the lane.
Maryland began the Big Ten season with four wins: 78-69 @ Purdue, 72-66 Michigan State, 78-61 Rutgers and @ Iowa 74-66. Then the Terps gave up a late lead and lost 74-79 to SC. They struggled past the Badgers in Madison 83-68 and will be 5-1 when hosting Minnesota Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the Gopher starters in last season’s loss to Maryland roll easily to mind: Braun (20 points), Hart (13 points), GG (12 points), Battle and Heyer (10 rebounds). Yes, we’re missing Braun but we can still hope for better living through team chemistry
