Maryland Coach Challenges Player During NCAA Tournament Loss

Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese had a notable interaction with guard Oluchi Onanwa during a tense moment on Sunday. This occurred during the Terrapins’ 74-66 defeat against the North Carolina Tarheels in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Maryland was the No. 5 seed, while North Carolina was at No. 4.

Frese expressed dissatisfaction with Onanwa’s play in the third quarter, where she struggled with turnovers, missed three free throws, and failed to make a layup before being substituted. As Onanwa came off the court, Frese met her on the sidelines, saying, “I believe in you, but you should want this moment.”

Kazu Okami led the team with 21 points, in addition to six rebounds and two steals, but she also had a challenging game with six turnovers. Remarkably, after the game, Onanwa expressed her appreciation for Frese’s coaching style, stating that she thrives under such strict guidance.

Frese, who has been with the University of Maryland since the 2002-03 season, noted that building strong relationships is essential for having difficult discussions with players. “You have to have tough conversations every now and then,” she commented. Reflecting on Onanwa’s performance, Frese mentioned, “I knew she was a winner and a competitor. I wanted to challenge her.”

Onanwa, in turn, emphasized her competitive nature—claiming she enjoys being pushed by her coach. She recently wrapped up her first season with the Terrapins after transferring from Duke, averaging 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Her efforts were recognized, as she was named to the All-Big Ten Conference team for the 2025-26 season.