Three takeaways from Maryland women’s basketball’s exhibition with California (PA)

Maryland women’s basketball hit the court for the first time this year on Sunday in an exhibition game against California (PA). It cruised to a 103-37 win.

The Terps — without first round picks Diamond Miller and Abby Meyers — will be tasked with replacing their top scorers from the previous season. The roster boasts of leadership with four graduate seniors to guide a top-20 freshman class in the nation. 

Here are three takeaways from the exhibition.

Riley Nelson will be a factor her freshman year

Coach Brenda Frese is known for not playing freshman in their first season. Miller started in only three games her freshman season and averaged 19 minutes per game, almost ten minutes less than what she averaged her senior year. Angel Reese averaged only 15 minutes her first season.

But Nelson looked like she was ready for the jump into the NCAA against California (PA). She was aggressive on offense, finishing with 23 points and eight free throw attempts. She also attacked the board, finishing with seven rebounds, three of which were on the offensive side. 

“I was actually really nervous before the game but once the ball got tipped it was just another basketball game,” Nelson said.

The five-star recruit finished the game playing 21 minutes, the second-most on the team. 

Bri McDaniel is due for a breakout season

Frese has said multiple times that she can envision McDaniel making a sophomore year jump akin to the improvements that Shyanne Sellers made last year with All-Big Ten first team honors.

The exhibition game only added confidence to Frese’s belief in McDaniel. 

McDaniel provided a spark off the bench with 22 points on 7-10 shooting. She was efficient from the foul line, converting on seven of eight from the stripe while also connecting on one of her two looks from deep. 

The guard was also pesky on defense and the glass, adding three steals and six rebounds.

“This year I feel more comfortable at all aspects,” McDaniel said. “I know my team has confidence in me and I know my coach has confidence in me.”

The Terps will play with a committee approach 

Frese said in the off-season that Maryland would be played more by a committee than in years past. She stood by her word when 11 different players took the court in the first half against the Vulcans. Every player except for an inactive Allie Kubek logged minutes by the game’s end.  

Five different Terps scored in double figures today, with eight different players recording five or more points. 

All of Maryland’s freshmen made it onto the court. They accounted for nearly 35 percent of the minutes played on Sunday. 

“I thought it was a great opportunity to be able to get [the freshman] feeling really comfortable and confident,” Frese said. “I think the rotations will work itself out.”