COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland men's and women's basketball programs welcomed a large media contingent Tuesday for their annual media day at the XFINITY Center.

Head Coach Brenda Frese

On starting the season:

"I always love this time of year and media day, especially coming off of Maryland Madness and being prepared for the upcoming season. I think the first thing I want to say is I continue to be really proud of the consistency and the tradition that we've been able to build here. For us, last year we went into a year of a lot of unknowns. It was the first time being in the Big Ten conference and we lost Alyssa Thomas who was a three time all American. We really made history by going undefeated in conference play, winning the Big Ten, receiving the No. 1 seed and then being able to go back to back in Final Fours. For us, it's a new team and new season, but in terms of our culture things haven't changed. Our players that we continue to work really hard to recruit and to bring into our program are players that want to come here and they want to work hard to be successful."

On being picked to win the Big Ten again and going undefeated:

"It was really never our plan last year to go undefeated, you just want to continue to win as many games as you can and it was a result in terms of how we were. Nothing really changes for us and we just want to be the best version of us. We want to set that bar high and set that standard. We will continue to work hard and great things will pay off for us."

On the culture of the team:

"First and foremost, you've got to find the right type of players and we've been able to find players that kind of have that blue collar mentality in how they just want to come in and work extremely hard. Whether that's in the weight room or on the court and getting shots up, I think finding the right type of player that wants to work and really is a team player first is important. I think as a head coach, and with our coaching staff, it's then trying to foster certain things out of it. Obviously I'm a very positive and confident coach that wants us to bring that out in our players and our team so it's about putting those two things together."

Junior Center Brionna Jones

On her offseason improvements prior to last season:

“I think the biggest part was just that my confidence was boosted following my freshman season. I was able to spend the whole summer working on my game, working on my conditioning, and working on my vocal leadership as well.”

On playing Big Ten competition:

“I like the Big Ten a lot. All of the teams have different styles of play, so it prepared us well for the NCAA Tournament, where we play different styles of teams from all over the country. So I think playing in the Big Ten helped us moving forward into the Tournament.”

Sophomore Guard Kristen Confroy

On having experienced teammates like Brene Moseley and Chloe Pavlech:

“With the experiences that they've had throughout their career – Big Ten Tournaments, ACC Tournaments – they definitely have some valuable experience and are using it to put our team heading in a great direction so far. I foresee the same thing happening throughout the rest of the season.”

On the depth of the Big Ten:

“That's what is special about the Big Ten. Every team can put up a fight on any night, and for us it's just about locking in, day in and day out, to the little things that make us Maryland basketball. We had a lot of success with that last year, so hopefully it will continue.”

Junior Guard Ieshia Small

On transferring to Maryland:

“I love the atmosphere at Maryland. It's been a great experience. Coach B is a great coach and I love my new teammates.”

On the difficulty of sitting out this season

“To be honest, I don't look at it as a hard adjustment. For me, it's a blessing. I think that it's best for me to sit out this year, learn the system, get to know my teammates, and get to know how everybody plays. And then next year, we'll be going at it.”

Redshirt Sophomore Forward A'Lexus Harrison

On how Coach Frese balances experience with youth:

“I think that we have a well-balanced system. I don't think it's only our seniors who lead. Everyone leads and everyone can step up on a different day. There may be a day where Kiah Gillespie has to lead. And coming in as a freshman, you'll have those days. So for us, leadership is definitely an in-the-moment type of thing.”

On which games she's looking forward to:

“Every game on the schedule, because we just want to come back and have another tremendous year.”

On how far this team can go:

“We can go as far as how hard we work. The harder we work, the further we can go. It would be great to get back to another Final Four, and finally get past that hump, but it all comes with hard work and you can't look past anyone at any time.”

Senior Forward Tierney Pfirman

On her main focus for opening night:

“For me personally, just my conditioning and the little things that happen on the court. Over the summer, Coach B talked to me about playing guard again. So just getting my ball handling and my shooting, and learning the outside game from the inside game, is really important, because last season, I was a post player. So I've just been working on my overall game.”

On the differences from the frontcourt to the backcourt:

“The biggest difference to me is the pace of the game. I haven't guarded other guards in three years, so it will be interesting. All I have to do is get in the gym and put in the work.”

Freshman Forward Kiah Gillespie

On why she chose Maryland:

“I chose Maryland because it's a great coaching staff and a really good program that's built on tradition. They have great support, a great education program, and I feel that they have a lot of tools that's going to help me be successful later on in my life.”

On the outlook of the team:

"I'm very confident in my team. If we keep practicing the way we do and Coach B keeps pushing us like the way she's been pushing us, we could be very good."

Senior Guard Brene Moseley

On the freshman class:

"Both of them are amazing. They've been amazing in practice so far. Kiah (Gillespie) is going to be able to stretch things out and Brianna (Fraser) is going to be a force to be reckoned with down in the box. They're both going to add a whole other aspect to our team that we're very excited to have. They're going to be able to help us win some games going forward."

On getting the ball down low:

"That's the ammo of our team. That's always been Coach B's philosophy. To be able to get it inside first to create the inside, outside game. To be able to have a key post presence is going to be vital and key into helping us get some wins this year."

Senior Center Malina Howard

On the relationship between the men's and women's programs:

"It's definitely a big connection. We have our own weight room together so we're always lifting. When we're finishing lift they're coming in and when they're finishing lift we're coming in. We practice on the same court, our locker rooms are right next to each other so we're around each other all the time. We really have a great support system. We love to see each other be successful. Late night after practice we'll both be in here shooting around. We're both just really driven programs that want to succeed. When we see the men working hard it makes us want to work hard."

On if the team's offense-defense philosophy might change the new personnel:

"No matter what Maryland basketball is about playing with passion and energy. We're going to defend, rebound, and push it in transition. We love change and we take it as a challenge. The big thing that we've talked about is staying true to Maryland and staying true to the team that we've been. Just playing hard every day, being the best that we can be, and representing Maryland to the best of our ability."

Freshman Forward Brianna Fraser

On the leadership of the team:

"Great leadership. The leadership of Chloe (Pavlech) and Brene (Moseley) is great, it really helps this team. If they continue to lead like they have been doing we're going to have a good season."

-Terps-