Preview: No. 16 Maryland women’s basketball prepares for conference matchup against Minnesota

No. 16 Maryland women’s basketball (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) returns from a break in the action to take on Minnesota (8-5, 1-1 Big Ten) in a Big Ten clash. Both teams head into Xfinity Center looking to extend their respective winning streaks to three games. 

Maryland is coming off a dominating win over Indiana Purdue Fort-Wayne on Dec. 21. Sophomore guard Shayanne Sellers led the way in that one, scoring 18 points. 

Meanwhile, Minnesota secured an eleven-point win over Eastern Illinois on Dec. 22. Sophomore forward Rose Micheaux led the Gophers in scoring with a 12 point effort. However, Minnesota struggled from the field all game, as the Gophers shot a woeful 36% from the field. They also turned the ball over 16 times. 

“Minnesota is a newly improved team, with Lindsay Whalen doing a phenomenal job over there,” Brenda Frese said. 

Lindsay Whalen is Minnesota’s head coach, as well as a former player for the Golden Gophers. As a player she averaged 20 points per game, shooting 53% from the field. On the sideline, Whalen has a combined record of 60-57 over her coaching tenure.

Leading the way for Minnesota is freshman guard Mara Braun. The highly recruited Minnesota native is off to a stellar start, as she is scoring 18 points-per-game. Braun ranks fifth in the Big Ten in scoring, the highest mark for a freshman in the conference.

“She is a three level scorer who can score in any way,” Frese said.

Micheaux has also played well for Minnesota early on. The sophomore is averaging a tick over 12 points so far, even without attempting a three pointer on the year. Another scorer for Minnesota is Mallory Heyer. She is one of the best three point scorers on the Gophers, shooting 39% from deep.

Yet, the Gophers offense is still out to a struggling start, as they rank 12th in the conference in field goal percentage. Minnesota also ranks 11th in shooting from beyond the arc, which has plagued Maryland similarly early on this season. 

One of Minnesota’s calling cards has been its rebounding. The Gophers lead the conference in rebounding to start the year, pulling in 43.5 rebounds per contest.

“They fly around and are aggressive on the glass, it’s an area we have to be really conscious that we are boxing out,” Frese said.

Maryland’s defense clamped down in the last game, as they held Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne to 30% from deep. Additionally, the Mastodons shot just 31% from the field. 

On the offensive side for Maryland, Sellers has continued to play well, as the sophomore has scored 15 or more points in seven of her last games. Additionally, the Terps turned the ball over much less in the latest victory. Maryland only turned it over ten times, with 20 assists on the night. 

“Our offense is starting to flow more and we’re just having more fun playing together,” senior forward Faith Masonius said.

Maryland has played well at home, with its two losses coming against Purdue and South Carolina. On the other hand, Minnesota has struggled on the road. The Golden Gophers are winless away from their home gym, and Xfinity Center will be another test for them.

The game will be played at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Xfinity Center.