Preview: No. 20 Maryland women’s basketball prepares for Big Ten/ACC matchup against No. 7 Notre Dame

After a 2-1 showing in Fort Myers, No. 20 Maryland women’s basketball (6-2) travels to South Bend to take on No. 7 Notre Dame (6-0) in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Thursday.

The Terps were upset in their first game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off, as Depaul scored 29 fourth quarter points to pull away, 76-67.

However, the next two days of the event were much kinder to Maryland. The Terps defeated Towson and PIttsburgh to close out the event.

The Terps were without Diamond Miller for the majority of the fourth quarter against Towson, as the senior guard found herself in foul trouble. Still, Miller finished with a game high 20 points. 

Guard/forward Faith Masonius picked up the slack, as the senior finished with 14 points — a season high.

“When Diamond is doing her thing, it really makes us want to step up to her level,” Masonious said.

Against Pittsburgh, Miller left the game with no apparent injury, as she showed clear frustration early in the third quarter. Miller did not return to the court, but seniors Abby Meyers and Lavender Briggs stepped up in her place. The two guards combined for 21 points in the third, helping Maryland coast to a 87-63 win.

“From the tip of the Pitt game, you could see our ball movement and chemistry continue to grow,” coach Brenda Frese said.

It’s likely that Maryland will need Miller at her best against the Fighting Irish, as all of their wins have been double-digit victories. Notre Dame is a top program, so Maryland has a golden chance to add a marquee road win to its resume.

Coach Niele Ivey is in her second season with the Fighting Irish, but does not lack experience with the program. Ivey was an NCAA champion at Notre Dame, and then returned as associate head coach from 2015-2019. 

Notre Dame hasn’t seen any drop off with Ivey at the helm, as she leads another stellar squad this year. 

The Fighting Irish offense is the main reason for that, as they shoot nearly 50% from the field and 40% from three. Notre Dame has not scored under 80 points all season, and average 90 points per game — tied for fifth-best among all Division One schools.

“Every single player can score, they’re a very high tempo team in transition,” Frese said. “Transition defense will be a really important factor.”

Guard Olivia Miles was named first team All-ACC a season ago, and the star sophomore is Notre Dame’s leading scorer this season. Miles averages 16 points a game, and will be a tough assignment for the Maryland defense.

Another guard leading the Irish attack is graduate senior Dara Mabrey. Mabrey is Notre Dame’s best shooter with a 39% clip from three, and 11 more makes from beyond the arc than any other Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame is an excellent team, but its strength of schedule is not as strong as Maryland’s. The matchup against the Terps will be the Fighting Irish’s first ranked opponent of the season.

Meanwhile, Maryland has already faced two ranked teams, including a road win against then-No. 17 Baylor.

This is expected to be the last Big Ten/ACC Challenge, as the Big Ten is expected to be replaced by the SEC.

“The Big Ten/ACC Challenge has been incredible for these teams and it continues to prepare you for March,” Frese said.

The game on Thursday will start at 6:30 p.m. and will take place in the Joyce Center in South Bend.