Preview: No. 4-seed Maryland women’s basketball hosts No. 5-seed Alabama in the NCAA Tournament second round

Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Terrapins

For potentially the second consecutive season, a quick exit in the NCAA Tournament loomed large for No. 4-seed Maryland women’s basketball. The Terps were 20 minutes away from crashing out in the first round once again. 

This time, Maryland took charge in the second half, flipping a two-point halftime deficit into an 82-69 win over No. 13-seed Norfolk State.

However, the Terps’ victory celebrations will have to be put on hold. Maryland hosts No. 5-seed Alabama in the second round on Monday, just the third all-time meeting between these programs.

The Crimson Tide has become an NCAA Tournament regular, making its third consecutive appearance. Alabama defeated No. 12-seed Green Bay, 81-67, Saturday before Maryland’s game.

However, the scoreline doesn’t accurately reflect how close the game was. With 6:30 left in the contest, the Crimson Tide led by six points and had seen their double-digit lead dwindle. But Alabama’s key players made big plays down the stretch to help it pull away and extend its lead to 20 at one point.

Guard Sarah Ashlee Barker kickstarted a 15-3 run that sealed the game, finishing off a layup with the shot clock expiring. This is nothing new for Barker, though. The graduate student has paced the Crimson Tide all season, posting a team-high 17.2 points on 50% shooting from the field and 35.6% from deep. She also contributes 6.3 boards, 3.9 assists and two steals. 

While Barker only tallied nine points against Green Bay, guard Aaliyah Nye picked up the slack. In her fifth and likely final season, Nye is having her best campaign. She scored a game-high 23 points in Saturday’s win. The veteran has also been lethal from behind the arc, ranking sixth in the country with a 45.4 three-point percentage. 

Seventh-year guard Zaay Green has been crucial to the team’s success. The transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff showcased her experience early in the first round. Green fueled Alabama’s offense in the first half, notching 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. She finished with 22 points and five assists. 

Between Barker, Nye and Green, Alabama has been elite from downtown. The Crimson Tide boast the third-highest three-point percentage in the nation at 38.6.

While Alabama’s perimeter play has been stellar this season, it has struggled to get production in the post. Forward Essence Cody has been the Crimson Tide’s lone weapon in the post. She averages 10.9 points and is the team’s top rebounder with 6.4 a game.

Despite having nine players over six feet tall, Alabama’s lone weakness this season has been rebounding. Its size and length haven’t translated on the glass, as it only collects 38.8 rebounds per contest. This blemish will be evident in Monday’s game against Maryland. The Terps outrebound their opponents by 8.5 — the 13th-best mark in the country.

Along with the Crimson Tide’s veteran players, head coach Kristy Curry brings plenty of experience. Curry is in her 12th year in charge at Alabama and has done what others before her haven’t been able to do: consistently make the tournament. The Crimson Tide have earned three consecutive tournament berths for the first time since 1999. 

And this is by far their best season. Alabama went nearly unbeaten during nonconference play, defeating Norfolk State by 10 points and then-No. 15 Michigan State by 15. However, the Crimson Tide’s biggest win came in SEC play, taking down No. 10 LSU in overtime. 

Head coach Brenda Frese knows the task ahead is tough, particularly with its struggles against elite three-point shooting teams.

“[Alabama is a] really strong SEC opponent, another team that has nothing but seniors and grad seniors,” Frese said. “They can shoot the three, they’re tough, there’s a lot of size, both with the four guards that play and the inside presence.”

However, if Maryland’s backcourt plays as well as it did in the second half against Norfolk State, it won’t be an easy out either. The trio of Kaylene Smikle, Sarah Te-Biasu and Shyanne Sellers totaled 44 of the Terps’ 52 second-half points after being held to 11 points in the opening 20 minutes.

Maryland will need more out of its bench, though. The unit had by far their worst game of the season, contributing six points, all of which came from Mir McLean. 

Despite the extended break before the tournament, Saylor Poffenbarger didn’t look fully recovered from her ankle injury on Saturday. The Terps’ rebounding strength takes a hit with Poffenbarger hobbled.

Allie Kubek filled the void, scoring 16 points and gathering eight rebounds in the last game. But it was Christina Dalce who dominated the glass, collecting a team-high nine boards. The two will be crucial to exploit the Crimson Tide’s rebounding issues.

Monday’s contest starts at 5 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN 2.