Preview: No. 19 Maryland women’s basketball gets set for matchup against Davidson

No. 19 Maryland women’s basketball (2-1) prepares to wrap up its three-game homestand with  a matchup against Davidson (1-1) on Wednesday.

The Terps narrowly defeated Fordham their last time out in a closer game than coach Brenda Frese and company would have hoped for, even with star guard Diamond Miller’s return to the court. 

In a classic let down spot after the Terps battled in a highly emotional game against last season’s NCAA Champion, No. 1 South Carolina, Maryland never found a rhythm against Fordham.

Maryland pulled away enough in the second half, as Miller’s key three pointer at the end of the third quarter pushed the Terps ahead of the Rams and they took care of business in the fourth. 

Maryland struggled to control the game, as the Terps turned the ball over 16 times and connected on only four looks from deep.

Still, the Terps came out on the right side.

“Sometimes you have to have an ugly win,” Frese said. “We were able to keep our composure in that fourth quarter, but I think overall we know we can play better.”

Davidson is led by coach Gayle Fulks, in her sixth season at the helm of the Wildcats. The matchup against Davidson will be the second in a row against an Atlantic Ten program. Davidson is a slightly worse team in the conference than Fordham, as the Wildcats won two fewer conference games last season.

The Wildcats suffered a 23 point loss their last time out against Duke. In the loss Davidson shot only 23% from the field, as the Wildcats struggled to get anything going on offense. Not a single Wildcat shot over 40%.

Davidson runs a similar style of defense to Maryland, as the Wildcats tend to full-court press their opponents, which could pose some issues to the Maryland offense. The Terps turned the ball over at a relatively high clip through three games this season, which could lead to issues against the Wildcats.

“I like the speed we’re playing with,” Frese said. “I don’t like the shots that we’re taking too quickly out of it.”

Miller should have a good performance against Davidson, as Davidson’s expected starting lineup features three guards, all under six foot, well shorter than the 6-foot-3 Miller. 

The senior returned from a knee injury against Fordham, and left an impact from the jump. Despite struggling shooting the ball (4-12), Miller reached the free throw line 14 times and finished with 22 points and pulled in a career-high 13 rebounds, in an effort that dragged the Terps across the finish line.

One defender that may cause some fits for Miller against Davidson is 5-foot-9, fifth year guard Chloe Welch. Welch has racked up five steals in just two games this season.

Along with steals, Welch leads Davidson in rebounds (16) and assists (seven). Welch tied for the team lead in points per game (12.5), alongside senior guard Suzi-Rose Deegan.

In a game that Maryland should control, the Terps will have to focus on containing the turnovers and find ways to get its guards the ball attacking downhill.

“Playing so many guards, transition has to become a staple for us … that area has been good for us,” Frese said.

The game should have an energetic crowd, as Wednesday will be a field trip game at the XFINITY Center. Various public schools from around the area will be invited to attend the game.

A team spokesperson estimates there will be over 6,000 children in attendance.

“We were all there [in the stands] at one time,” sophomore guard Shayanne Sellers said. “It’s nice to be a role model for somebody and give them something to aspire to.”

The game will tip off at 11 a.m. and will take place at the XFINITY Center in College Park.