Preview: No. 2-seed Maryland women’s basketball gets set for first round matchup against No. 15-seed Holy Cross

March has officially arrived as No. 2-seed Maryland women’s basketball prepares to take on No. 15-seed Holy Cross in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament in College Park on Friday.

The Terps have displayed their ability to stick with anyone, having accumulated seven wins over top 25 opponents, including wins over fellow two-seeds Iowa and UConn. Maryland is looking to use its star power and depth to make a deep run in the tournament. 

Maryland is coming off of a close 89-84 loss to Iowa in the Big Ten semifinals almost two weeks ago in a battle that had up-and-down action the whole way through. Coach Brenda Frese was still positive after the game, speaking on how the depth of the Big Ten has prepared her squad for this tournament, alluding to the conference’s big run potential.

“I keep saying that it reminds me of the year we won our national championship in 2006,” Frese said. “In the ACC we had to battle the entire time. You had us, Duke and [North] Carolina in the final four that year.” 

The first round matchup is the Crusaders’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.

Interestingly enough, this will not mark the first time these teams have matched up in the tournament, as they played each other in 1991. That game was the only win Holy Cross has had in the NCAA Tournament to this day, defeating No. 6-seed Maryland 81-74 in overtime. 

It’s safe to say the Crusaders will look to repeat history in this one.

The Patriot League champions have pieced together an impressive season, overcoming the conference’s regular season champs, Boston University, in the championship game and putting up incredible defensive stats. 

Holy Cross ranks 17th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing opponents to score just 54.8 points per game. The Crusaders still have yet to allow 80 points in a game, a streak the Terps will hope to break with their own high-powered offense

Led by junior guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy, the Crusaders are holding a six-game win streak heading into the tournament. Power-Cassidy has been dangerous as a shooter throughout the season, knocking down almost 47% of her field goal attempts and 40% of her threes. 

But Maryland has a couple red hot shooters of its own heading into the big dance in seniors Abby Meyers and Brinae Alexander.

Meyers has been sensational for the Terps over their last three games, looking back to herself after what has been an inconsistent season. The guard has averaged 19.6 points during the stretch on 62.5% shooting from the field thanks to her nifty post-up game and cuts through the lane.

“This is officially my last year,” Meyers said. “There’s just like a different feeling approaching each game. This could be your last collegiate basketball game ever, and because of that there’s almost like this increased intensity.”

As for Alexander, she has been an incredible three-point shooter for the Terps this year, converting on 43.6% of her attempts. That number has been an amazing 48.3% over the past four games, and the stretch includes her career-high in a Maryland uniform with 24 points against Iowa.

Star senior guard Diamond Miller will also be looking to get her fingerprints all over this game, especially considering the size difference between the two teams.

It has been a rare occurrence this season for the Terps to outsize a team the way they have in the past. But now up against Holy Cross, Maryland’s height could play a factor as the five Terps with the most minutes this season have an average height five inches taller than that of Holy Cross. 

This should play directly in Miller’s favor. Holy Cross has no true favorable matchup to guard her in this one, which will surely open up opportunities for Miller and the rest of the Terps should the Crusaders be forced to double team her. 

“I think just because the way we ended last year it puts a lot of fire in our heart,” Miller said. “So it’s very exciting to see what we can do.”  

The winner of the matchup will go on to face the victor of No. 7-seed Arizona and No. 10-seed West Virginia on Sunday.