When: Jan. 8, 2025 | 8:30 PM
TV: FS1 | Sloane Martin & Christy Winters Scott
Betting: Maryland +6.5 | O/U: 146.5
Maryland women’s basketball’s perfect record is on the line on Wednesday night when the eighth-ranked Terps welcome the fourth-ranked USC Trojans to College Park. The Trojans are led by All-American guard JuJu Watkins, who enters the matchup averaging the third-most points in the country (25.1), while Maryland guards Kaylene Smikle and Shyanne Sellers have both scored double figures in the last ten games.
In fact, Smikle has finished in double figures in all but one game this season as she enters Wednesday averaging a team-high 18.1 points per game, coming off a 26-point and six steal performance in Sunday’s road win against Iowa. While Smikle and Sellers are two of four averaging double figures midway through the season, the frontcourt have their hands full on Wednesday with Saylor Poffenberger one of two Terps ranked inside the top-30 nationally in rebounds per game.
As Maryland looks to move to 5-0 against ranked teams this season, head coach Brenda Frese broke down the Big Ten showdown with Glenn Clark Radio on Wednesday:
On the team finding their groove to start the 2024-25 season
“Boy, was I wrong – coach speak, right? But I credit these women, you know, they were the ones that, we were able to foster that chemistry early, taking a foreign trip over to Croatia in the summertime. And just really, you know, that gave us a huge advantage. We were able to build it from there.”
On whether there was a moment that made Frese realize how good the team would be so quickly
“I think the measuring factor early was the Duke game. You just didn't know how they were going to respond to that arena that was packed, and a top-ten opponent coming in ahead of us. Man, we punched first and never looked back. I thought that was the response where I really saw just how competitive this group is. And, you know, fortunately for us, I mean, they hate to lose, they love to win. And it's one of the most competitive groups I've been fortunate to be able to coach.”
On the collision during the Iowa road win
“Did anyone not see that collision? Man, that came fast, but you saw the bounce back, right? The love from the girls. You know, they had to make sure the hair was fixed right. So I'm here for it. That was kind of hustle plays by Kaylene [Smikle] and the girls. So, yeah, doing great.”
On the importance for Maryland to win at Iowa
“Again, I mean, just it tells you a lot about this group. I mean, gosh, they hadn't lost in about 25 games dating back to Caitlin Clark and sold-out arena. Their fans are against you every single play and that wears on you throughout the 40-minute game. So just again, kind of punch-for-punch, blow-for-blow. I mean, just the fact that they stayed the course. Luckily we had that lead like you talked about in the first half but it's just a really resilient group. Even when Iowa cut it to six, and then Michael hits a big three, we get a stop and a steal and just, plays being made by one another on this team.”
On Bri McDaniel and what makes her unique
“You know what I love about Bri McDaniel is she is – she's a dog. She's our toughest defender, just relentless. Bri’s been kind of battling some nagging like ankle, foot type of injury stuff and just kind of continuing to pour it on for her team. And, you know, that's what that moment was about. Because she's not 100% pain-free yet. We're trying to get her there, but she just lays everything out there for her team. And I love coaching Bri. I mean, we're really fortunate, you know, three years with her and just watching that growth every single day. But a huge part. We're going to need her tonight. You know, you got the best player in the country in JuJu. And you know, this is your one opportunity because USC doesn't come here next year. To come in and to this really, really impressive sophomore against really elite, top-ten team here in Maryland that's undefeated. So you're not going to want to miss it.”
On the development of Kaylene Smikle
“She's just scratched the surface and I think that is what's so exciting. We knew she could score, but just her willingness to want to be a complete player is what I love about Kaylene. I mean, she wants to be an elite level defender. She wants to be able to make the right play and be able to give the right assist when people are doubling her. So she's fun to coach because she's a winner, and she just wants to be great at everything. And, yeah, I mean, her six steals that she had at Iowa. I mean, every single one of them was so valuable.”
On Saylor Poffenbarger
“That's a double-double – someone that you can count on for at least ten boards every single game. What a luxury. People talk about our rebounding now coming back and being in the top five in the country. Well, it starts with Saylor. I mean, that's someone you can rely on night in and night out, and going to have to be able to have that, because we're going against one of the elite rebounding teams in the country tonight. But man, her ability to stretch the three and be so versatile, you know, I can't take her off the court, which is a great luxury to be able to have but been a long time coming. I was that first offer for Saylor and bringing her back home and just seeing her playing with the confidence and her love for the game has been really special to be able to see.”
On USC star JuJu Watkins
“She's the best player in the country for a reason and it's going to have to be by committee tonight. But she's strong and powerful. She's a three-level player that can score it – the three, the mid range and can bully her way to the rim just with the strength and power that she has. And then she's got great weapons around her. That's why they're ranked in the top-five. But a must see. You know, those that got in here last year to see Caitlin Clark, I mean, I know it's an 8:30 tip but it's worth it to be able to come see her in person. We're going to do everything we can to try to – we're not going to be able to stop her, but to make those shots as difficult as possible and make her really have to work tonight.”
On the philosophy when going up against players of Watkins’ caliber
“We worked both ways with Caitlin, right? Like we worked – she was both theories. You know, there's not a right or wrong. You kind of have to figure that out within your scout. And without giving away the scout. But let me tell you, I mean, this is where women's basketball is at. JuJu is on the State Farm commercials and one of the best of the best to ever come through this game. So someone that you definitely want to come out and witness.”
On whether Maryland has an advantage due to experience in high profile games
“This is why our players come here to Maryland. I was doing film with Saylor yesterday and she said to me, it's a full circle moment. You know, this was her when she was a little kid growing up, you know, coming into Xfinity, and now here she is the player that these kids are coming in to watch. I thought that was so well said by Saylor. And you know, it is. It's why players come here. We have the best fans in the country and it's going to be an electric atmosphere tonight.”
On the tough upcoming stretch of games for the program
“Well, you know, my son the other day, he asked me, we're undefeated, why are we not in the top four? And I explained there's just so many elite, great teams this season. And the depth and the parity and, yeah, I mean, our conference says it all. Like this is what you get to play every night – you're at Iowa. Now you turn around and play at USC, then we have the stretch of Texas, Ohio State, UCLA, all three in a row. But this is what prepares you, right? It prepares you. It's not going to make or break or, you know, give you an indication, because the NCAA Tournament is its own beast, but it prepares you for that. It's going to get you to that level where you have to show up every single night and perform, or at some point in March, you're going home. And that's what I love about where this season, this conference is so different from any other season I've ever coached with a team. And I'm glad this is the roster that that I'm putting up against anybody. Just really proud of them and we're just going to continue to put our head down and keep working and seeing what our strengths are and what we have to work on before we get to March.”
On whether this team is ready for the tough stretch of games
“Ready or not, here it comes. But yeah, I mean, this is – how can you not? I love this roster. You know, these players come every single day ready to work. And they take film like that, scouting, practices, coaching. So that's a coach's dream when you have a team that's bought in like that.”
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