Maryland Women's Basketball: 2007-08 Season Outlook
10/27/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 27, 2007
With so much returning in 2006-07, losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament left a bitter taste in the Terrapins' mouth. Understandably expectations were high with five starters returned from the championship team and the top eight scorers, overall. Despite a fourth-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and a third-straight 20-win season, the Terps were bitterly disappointed.
This year, the expectations remain high. Four starters from the championship squad are back in 2007-08 and three were named to the WBCA Wade Trophy Preseason Watch List. But this year, the Terps are older and wiser. With the addition of the No. 2-ranked recruiting class in the nation, Maryland is poised to make another serious run at a title.
For the first time in four years, the Terps are the "elder statesmen" in the ACC, with eight upperclassmen, including five seniors. The "older and wiser" Terps bring with them valuable experience from a year ago and they are looking for redemption.
"There is more of a sense of urgency this year," said sixth-year head coach Brenda Frese. "The biggest lesson learned is there is no substitute for hard work and our players are backing it up with their actions. They've had tremendous summers and that's going to carry them through the season."
Looking to avoid a repeat of last year's second-round exit and driven by the disappointment of not fulfilling expectations, the Terps have put in the extra work in the offseason. Marissa Coleman, Laura Harper and Crystal Langhorne brought home gold medals competing against the best in the world as members of two US teams. Kristi Toliver enrolled in Point Guard College to refine her skills in a rigorous and competitive learning environment. The rest returned to campus with focus, hitting the weight room and conditioning workouts as if on a mission. Meanwhile, the freshmen arrived on campus over the summer to get a head start in the classroom and to work out with their new teammates.
"We're ready and hungry to go out and get better every single day. When you have that kind of mindset, your actions speak for themselves. They are taking their games to another level."
Five seniors dominate the 2007-08 roster, the biggest senior class since Frese arrived six years ago. This class has shouldered the load since arriving in 2004, leading the Terps to 84 wins and a national title during that span. That experience, maturity and leadership will be a critical element this season, especially with five newcomers on the squad and one redshirt freshman.
In addition to the senior class, Maryland's juniors will also play a large role. Coleman and Toliver walked in with great expectations placed on them as freshmen and have welcomed the challenge of living up to them. And with Christie Marrone's experience, the newcomers will not find themselves short of team members to rely on.
Frese has had a core group of eight players to count on for at least two seasons. With all the things that are the same for 2007-08, there are some changes heading into the new season. Aside from the large freshman class, four new staff members have been added, including two new assistant coaches. And the biggest difference for Frese will be the loss of Shay Doron to graduation.
"One of the biggest themes of the season will be change," said Frese. "It's exciting to see what this program has evolved into. Daron [Park] and Diane [Richardson] are not only hard working, positive and energetic coaches, but they are so excited to be working with our team and players. Their creativity and positive energy is going to be an additional element that's going to be new and unique to the team this year."
Shay Doron had been a cog in the lineup the last four years. Her impact was far reaching, becoming the first prized recruit to sign with Frese. Earning numerous accolades, including three All-ACC honors and Honorable Mention Associated Press All-American last year, Doron left College Park as the program's second all-time leading scorer, netting 1,878 points in her career.
"Shay was a huge piece to laying the foundation of this program. She had the vision to come in here and be a part of a rebuilding process," said Frese. "She brought a lot of intangibles to the team, her competitive spirit, work ethic and heart. But she obviously left the program in good hands."
After all is said and done, Frese's newest Terps have all the elements to build a winning team - talent, drive and hard work. And while there will be some unknowns along the way, Maryland certainly has what it takes to be the last team standing in Tampa.
GUARDS<.>
Maryland has a mix of veterans and newcomers on the perimeter, led by All-ACC performers Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver. There is depth on the perimeter this year, however, the group has health issues to overcome, with five battling injuries. Regardless, the five upperclassmen will mentor the newcomers and help to transition them to the collegiate game.
Coleman's summer included a trip to Brazil to win gold for the U.S. at the Pan American Games. Her drive has been unmatched, spending extra time in the gym and weight room during the offseason. Her versatility alone, with the ability to play almost any position on the floor, is problematic for opponents. The AP Honorable Mention All-American can take an outside shot and defend any perimeter player, or she can go inside and battle for a rebound with the best post players in the country.
Kristi Toliver did not take it easy in the summer, as well, honing her skills at the Point Guard College. She has improved at the position every season and knows how to get her teammates involved, but can also knock down a big three when needed as the team's best long-range shooter.
"Marissa and Kristi have taken it upon themselves to make this team better. They have really focused on improving what they can do," said Frese. "Kristi gained a lot of knowledge at the Point Guard College and this is the most motivated I have seen Marissa. They have stepped up to become leaders on this team."
Also at guard are returnees Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood, who is looking to compete in her first full collegiate season, Ashleigh Newman and Christie Marrone. The three have been marred by nagging injuries, however.
Wiley-Gatewood is still battling tendonitis in her knees, a problem she has had since before arriving in College Park. However, when healthy, she is explosive and brings a different energy on the floor.
Newman has also been plagued by injuries the last two seasons. She is one of the team's best defenders when at 100 percent and also one of the team's deadliest perimeter shooters. Newman has been a starter and a key player off the bench in her career.
Christie Marrone finally hit the floor last season after sitting out 2005-06 because of NCAA transfer rules. Her addition added another perimeter scorer, but Marrone had to sit out the postseason because of a stress fracture in her foot and has been working on recovering since then.
Four newcomers look to work themselves into the guard rotation this season. Marah Strickland, Kim Rodgers and Anjalé Barrett were Parade All-Americans, while Kat Lyons led her high school team to back-to-back state championships before graduating.
Strickland's name might be familiar to the Terrapin faithful. She is the younger sister of former Maryland standout Marché Strickland. A McDonald's and WBCA All-American, Marah can score with ease and her size and athleticism will also cause problems for opponents.
Lyons will add depth to the guard position. She committed to Maryland as a sophomore in high school and is a smart player on the court.
Rodgers and Barrett underwent offseason surgeries and are both rehabbing to try to get on the court as quickly as possible. Rodgers is a pure shooter and a three-point threat, while Barrett is a quick point guard with great court vision.
POSTS
The senior post players have made a big impact on the program, each receiving postseason honors at some point in their careers. Headlining the class is Crystal Langhorne. A two-time All-American, she has been a stalwart in the post since she was a freshman, earning numerous accolades and breaking records. Her legacy will show her ability to score and rebound, but also her accuracy. Last year, she nearly broke the NCAA record for shooting percentage and has led the nation in the category the last two years. This year, she will threaten two of the biggest records in the program - the scoring and rebounding records.
Having already achieved plenty of individual success, Langhorne did not rest this summer, still working on different areas of the game. She played with the USA U21 Basketball team, winning gold at the U21 World Championships. Four All-Americans were on that roster and Langhorne led them all in scoring and rebounding.
"Crystal is looking to have another All-American season. She has been working very hard this summer and has not been satisfied with where she is at," said Frese. "Her experience with USA Basketball has only made her better."
Also in the post are seniors Laura Harper and Jade Perry. Harper, who also played on the U21 USA squad, was the 2006 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and is among the best shot blockers in school history. She plays with energy and passion, but her consistency is going to be key.
What Perry does not have in size, she makes up for in physical strength. Perry has shown she can bang with the best post players in the country, but also has the finishing touch to knock down shots.
"Laura and Jade have played important roles for us in their careers. Laura has been energized and is on a mission this season. I look for her to have a consistent senior year, which will be much needed in the post," said Frese. "Jade is a tremendous rebounder and her ability to get on the boards is one of the big things she brings for us."
Drey Mingo and Emery Wallace will look to be tutored by the seniors. Mingo led her high school team to the state tournament and was twice invited to participate in the USA junior team tryouts. A Parade, McDonald's and WBCA All-American, Mingo not only has a presence inside, but she can step outside and hit the open three.
A versatile post, Wallace missed the 2006-07 campaign because of injury and has been working hard on returning to the court and finally put on the Maryland uniform.
Not to be forgotten is Coleman's ability to play in the post. She is a solid rebounder and shot blocker, ranked among the best in the ACC the last two seasons.
SCHEDULE
"The 2007-08 schedule is the most challenging we've faced in our six years," said Frese. "Given where our program is at, we felt we needed to take the next step and be challenged and tested. I'm extremely excited because, early on, we'll know where we stand and where we will need to improve."
Maryland fans are going to be treated to some of the best games of the season in 2007-08 and they will not have to wait until January.
Before the season officially gets underway, the Terps host the US National Team on Halloween, Oct. 31 on the USA's first stop on their College Tour. Some of the national team players they could face are current WNBA players, former Olympians and World Champions.
The season becomes official on Nov. 9. Maryland accepted an invitation to participate in the Preseason WNIT, where the Terps are guaranteed to play three games. In the tournament, they could face perennial powers in LSU, Michigan State and Notre Dame. Dates, times and locations are announced at the conclusion of each game.
In the midst of the WNIT, one of the top games of the season will take place as Maryland and Oklahoma battle in Chapel Hill, N.C., in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 11. Two of the nation's top post players in Crystal Langhorne and the Sooner's Courtney Paris go head-to-head on national television.
After hosting Loyola on Nov. 20, Maryland takes off to California to play UC Santa Barbara and UCLA over the Thanksgiving break. Returning back to the East, there is little time for rest, as the Terps host up-and-coming squad Pittsburgh on Nov. 27.
The inaugural women's Big Ten/ACC Challenge brings Big Ten Champion Ohio State to Comcast Center on Nov. 30, in a rematch of the 2005 NCAA Tournament game between the teams.
Participating in another prestigious event, 2007 NCAA Runner-Up Rutgers, who also has three Wade Trophy candidates, host the Terrapins on Dec. 3 for the Jimmy V Classic in a nationally televised contest. It will be the first meeting between the teams in almost 10 years.
The schedule does not get any easier despite having five of the next six games at home. NCAA Sweet 16 team Middle Tennessee visits College Park on Dec. 5, followed by a visit from Northern Iowa on Dec. 7. Another NCAA Tournament team in Temple comes to Comcast Center on Dec. 9, before a breaking for finals. On Dec. 20, the Terrapins are back in action in Kristi Toliver's hometown, facing James Madison.
The Terrapin Classic takes on a new format, with one game played on three consecutive days. Richmond and NCAA Tournament squad UMBC get things started on Dec. 28, and the Terps host the Spiders and Retrievers on Dec. 29 and 30, respectively.
The ACC season gets underway as Wake Forest hosts Maryland at the turn of the calendar year on Jan. 3.
"When you look at the strength of the ACC in the past two years, with the number of teams in the Final Four and teams breaking through to the NCAA Tournament and Sweet 16, from top to bottom, the ACC is the toughest league in the nation," said Frese. "We're tested every time we step out onto the court.
"To win the ACC title, it takes consistency," continued Frese. "We have the veteran leadership to lead us to that and our non-conference schedule will prepare us for the long haul in league play and also down the line in the postseason."
The Terrapins will trade home and away games for the month of January, traveling to Boston College (Jan. 10), Virginia (Jan. 18) and North Carolina (Jan, 26), while hosting Clemson (Jan. 6), Duke (Jan. 14), Georgia Tech (Jan. 20) and Miami (Jan. 31). The Terps' games vs. the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels will be nationally televised on ESPN2 and Fox Sports Net, respectively. The games are two of at least seven nationally televised contests this season.
The Terps kick off February on the road at Virginia Tech (Feb. 4) and return home for a pair of games against Virginia (Feb. 8) and Boston College (Feb. 14). Maryland closes out the home-and-home series with Duke on Feb. 17 on national TV in Durham, N.C.
Senior Night features Florida State on Feb. 24 and the regular-season schedule ends on March 2 at NC State, the first time since 1994 the Terps play a regular season game in the month.
Owning the record for the most ACC Tournament crowns, Maryland will begin its quest for its ninth title and first since 1989, March 6-9 in Greensboro, N.C.
The road to the national championship begins in College Park.
"We feel fortunate to play in front of our fans for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament," said Frese. "We have some of the best fans in the country who I know will get out and support this team. To have the comforts of two home games in our backyard, is a definite advantage for us."
If Maryland gets an invitation to the Big Dance, it is guaranteed to play its first and second round games in Comcast Center on March 23 and 25. The Terps made the largest single-season improvement in home attendance last year and ranked sixth in the nation in average home attendance. There is no doubt a sea of red in the stands will help bolster the Terrapins' cause.
Teams that win the first and second rounds of their respective brackets move on to the regional tournaments, which begin on March 29. The 2007 NCAA Final Four is in the warmth of Tampa, Fla., on April 6 and 8.
