After being picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten, Maryland women’s basketball head coach Brenda Frese was first to take the podium at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday as she previewed the new-look 2024-25 Big Ten:
On what Frese is excited about in the new era of Big Ten women's basketball:
“Like I always have been, the competition. We're adding four more great teams into the league. Every night it's going to be a battle. So going to some different places geographically when we go to the West Coast, so that will be a fun experience for our student-athletes.
On what Frese she is most excited about in terms of momentum of Big Ten into 2024-25
“We're at an amazing time right now with women's basketball, and you see these arenas being sold out and all the eyes that are on us. Obviously these arenas, you know, every time you go into one, it's going to be a difficult environment. I think what makes it unique this season is that every game, just the importance of it. You're only playing each other once except for the one partner that you have. It's going to feel like the NCAA Tournament every night because it's going to matter when you talk about later in March of your tiebreakers and who has beat each other. It's going to be fun to watch.”
On what Frese prioritizes in non-conference schedule
“I think the biggest priority is you do want to find that balance because you've got to find those rotations in your roster, but for us we also don't -- we want to be prepared when we go into conference play. So for us to be able to bring in as many NCAA Tournament teams that we're going to face, with Duke coming in and heading up to Syracuse, playing Texas over Martin Luther King weekend. All those games are in preparation to really help us when we come into Big Ten play.”
On Frese’s transfer portal evaluation process
“You stole my word, absolutely speed dating. [Purdue head coach] Katie [Gearlds] just spoke of it, for your culture, when you have a prior relationship and a dynamic, that helps. I think that is huge when you are going through the transfer portal. But there are times, absolutely, that you're speed dating and getting to know a kid, a family very quickly within a few weeks. Your staff has to be on it in terms of the amount of evaluation and conversations that you have in a short amount of time.”
On managing a post-COVID roster
“Yeah, I think it continues to come down to relationships, conversations, communication so you are able to manage your roster. I will say I'm glad after this year the COVID year is out of the window so we know what legitimate rosters and we're not seeing these sixth and seventh year seniors that are out there. I'm all for it, but you know, it's nice that you'll actually kind of have a better idea of rosters as you're moving forward.”
On how the game takes a step forward in 2024-25
“I think you continue to produce great product, great teams on the floor. I think our marketing departments now are all next-level, doing a phenomenal job. People are watching the games. We're on television. The exposure is there. But at the end of the day you have to continue to have great talent, and I think when you look across the board at all these rosters in the Big Ten, everybody has done their job through the recruiting process. That bodes well for all the fans that are putting their eyes on these teams.”
Related Links