Maryland Women’s Basketball Faces Challenges Against North Carolina
Maryland’s women’s basketball team found themselves in a tough spot during the NCAA Tournament, trailing North Carolina as they moved into the third quarter.
Coach Brenda Frese stepped in to change the course of the game.
She took All-Big Ten first-team guard Oluchi Onanwa aside for a candid conversation that was, well, pretty intense. Frese didn’t hold back, getting right in Onanwa’s face as she expressed her frustrations. It was clear she wanted to ignite a spark.
“I believe in you, but you want this moment,” Frese said, emphasizing her point by pointing at Onanwa’s chest.
You might think that such an approach wouldn’t sit well with Onanwa. Surprisingly, she felt just the opposite. While some might question Frese’s methods, Onanwa embraced the extra motivation. “Coach understands that I’m a competitive person at heart,” she stated after the game. “I love to be coached hard and she does that to me every day.”
Onanwa reflected on the game, noting its ups and downs. After her chat with Frese, she felt a noticeable shift in her performance. “I felt like I really switched gears and just did what I had to do for the team in that moment. I’m forever grateful for that,” she said.
Frese explained that her effectiveness stems from the strong relationships she cultivates with her players. “You can’t have those conversations without a relationship,” she noted, pointing out the importance of trust in coaching.
Frese observed that elite players, like Onanwa, often thrive under tough coaching. “I was watching (Oluchi) struggle in this tournament, and she’s so gifted. I just wanted to give her a shot because I believe in her,” Frese remarked.
Despite Frese’s inspiring words, Maryland lost to UNC, 74-66. However, Onanwa rose to the occasion, scoring 12 points in the second half, finishing with a total of 21 points, alongside six offensive rebounds.
Her performance gave Maryland a fighting chance, tying the game as they entered the fourth quarter.
Onanwa, now a junior, is wrapping up her third season, leading her team with an average of 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. After transferring from Duke, where she averaged 9.7 and 10.1 points in her two seasons, she has set a new career high this year.
The Terrapins ended the season as the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, with an overall record of 24 wins and 9 losses. They faced Murray State in the first round, but their journey concluded against the Tar Heels in the next round.
This season marked the 23rd consecutive winning streak and the 20th time during Frese’s tenure that her team achieved 20 wins. Her passion and dedication were evident during their match on Sunday.
