Maryland women’s basketball’s 2022-23 schedule projects to be toughest in Frese era

The Maryland women’s basketball schedule for the 2022-23 season is a gauntlet. The Terps haven’t seen the likes of a schedule this difficult during the entirety of head coach Brenda Frese’s 20 years at the school. 

Number of matchups vs. teams in AP Top 25 preseason poll per year:

2022-23: 12

2021-22: 11

2020-21: 6

2019-20: 8

2018-19: 3

2017-18: 4

2016-17: 5

2015-16: 6

2014-15: 8

2013-14: 4

2012-13: 7

2011-12: 7

2010-11: 6

2009-10: 7

2008-09: 8

2007-08: 9

2006-07: 4

2005-06: 6

2004-05: 4

2003-04: 8

2002-03: 3

Maryland’s schedule aims to feature 12 matchups against opponents ranked in the preseason Top 25, which would be the most Frese has faced in her career in College Park.

“We are going to find out about ourselves early and often,” Frese said at Maryland’s Media Day. “The schedule isn’t for the weak.”

Those current 12 ranked matchups Maryland will endure are No. 1 South Carolina, No. 4 Iowa twice, No. 6 UConn, No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 11 Indiana, No. 14 Ohio State twice, No. 18 Baylor, No. 22 Nebraska twice and No. 25 Michigan.

Frese said this schedule predicts to be the hardest competition the Terps had ever faced as a team in the regular season.

“It’s going to be a marathon, not a sprint,” Frese said. “But I also love it … It’s going to prepare us for postseason.” 

Despite the challenge of a schedule, the Terps aren’t shying away.

“It’s exciting,” star senior guard Diamond Miller said. “I came to Maryland to play in these types of games.” 

The non-conference schedule will be especially daunting compared to previous years, as Maryland is set to square off against perennial powerhouses South Carolina, UConn, Notre Dame and Baylor. 

Frese also spoke on how the team’s gameplans have shifted after losing some key pieces — particularly size — from last season. The Terps plan on using the versatility gained by using a guard-heavy lineup with positionless basketball, according to Frese. 

“I was taught the game was positionless,” senior Vanderbilt transfer, Brinae Alexander, said. “I feel like I’m a very versatile player. I can play pretty much any position.” 

Frese plans on turning up the tempo as she has in past years and using the Terps’ speed in transition plentifully.

“We love to play fast,” Frese said. “We want to run, we want to get up and down the floor.” 

Maryland will open up play with its exhibition games against Frostburg State and Millersville on Friday, Oct. 28 and Wednesday, Nov. 2, respectively. The Terps’ first regular season matchup will come against George Mason on Monday, Nov. 7, before their home opener against No. 1 South Carolina on Friday, Nov. 11th.