SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore point guard Channise Lewis of the Maryland women's basketball team was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List, The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday.
 
Lewis is one of 20 candidates for the 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award. Now in its twentieth year, the award recognizes the top point guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates exhibit the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman. Click here for the full watch list.
 
Lewis was No. 2 among NCAA freshmen last year with 4.7 assists per game. She started in 32 of 34 games. She finished her rookie season with 160 assists and just 64 turnovers for an assist/turnover ratio of 2.5.
 
The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2019 Lieberman Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at hoophallawards.com.
 
The winner of the 2019 Lieberman Award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Maryland's Kristi Toliver won the award in 2008.
 
Maryland was picked to win the Big Ten by both the league's head coaches and media panel, the conference announced Monday. Junior Kaila Charles was a unanimous selection by both groups to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
 
The Terps return four of five starters from last year's NCAA Tournament squad. Maryland also brings back 75 percent of its scoring from last season.
 
The Terrapins come in at No. 6 in the Lindy's poll and No. 9 in the Street & Smith's poll. Charles was named to the Street & Smith's Preseason All-America Second Team.
 
The Associated Press preseason poll comes out Oct. 31 and the USA Today Preseason Top 25 Coaches poll will be released Nov. 1.
 
Season tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now. To purchase season tickets, click here. For ticket information for the upcoming season, log on to the Terrapin Ticket Office online umterps.com or call 1-800-IM-A-TERP.
 
Maryland officially opens the season on Friday, Nov. 9 vs. Coppin State at 7 p.m. at XFINITY Center. The Terrapins will host Kutztown and Clarion for a pair of exhibition matchups Oct. 28 and Nov. 2.