In 2023, the Maryland women's basketball team won it all. Coach Brenda Frese is now in her 23rd season with the program and aims to go on a similar run again in 2025. After an overall impressive 23-7 record (13-5 in Big Ten play), the Terps earned the No. 4 seed in the Birmingham 2 region.
Unlike the men's side, this Terrapins group gets the opportunity to play their upcoming first-round matchup at the XFINITY Center. A win against Norfolk State would also see them host the winner of Alabama and Green Bay, assuming MD takes care of business first.
All paths are different with each year's March Madness. If the Terrapins are to make it to the later stages and add another banner in the rafters, they recognize that they can't overlook the Spartans. Their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents went 30-4 over the regular season and undefeated (14-0) during conference play.
Upsets can happen to anyone, and Coach Frese's group knows how important it is to respect all competition. The players, furthermore, understand that regardless of who they line up against, there are talented athletes in the other uniform.
Speaking with reporters, Shayanne Sellers took a moment to acknowledge and praise Norfolk's leading scorer, Diamond Johnson. As shared by Rob from Chester, PA, on X, the senior shared her mindset heading into the tourney:
Maryland’s Shayanne Sellers on facing Norfolk State on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/4n0MKq5n31
— Rob from Chester, Pa (@knoxrob1) March 17, 2025
Obviously, Diamond Johnson is the head of the snake for them. Great player, competitive. I think we need to do our job and (you know) focus on that and dial into that scout specifically for us to be successful.
Measured approach is a great sign from Maryland
This illustrates an important aspect for teams entering any matchup as the favorites. It's too easy for fans to pencil in the more known names in their brackets. Players too can sometimes overlook an opponent, particularly if they play at a lower level or are from a smaller school. Sellers walking through Maryland's approach shows that this will be far from the case against Norfolk.
The Terps are aware that anything can happen in this tournament. This is true, while also feeling confident in this roster's potential. In a strong BIG conference, Maryland has wins over a number of ranked opponents, including Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State. Earlier in the year, they even beat ACC powerhouse Duke.
Humble confidence and belief in one's ability are often good traits to have. Coach Frese and her players have the potential to go far and can beat anyone in the nation on any given night. Hearing Sellers speak on the task at hand should alleviate any worries from the fanbase of them coming out flat, however.
A rough five-game stretch saw the Terps fall to Texas, Ohio State, UCLA, and Illinois at one point in close succession. These teams are in different regions. While it wouldn't matter to Maryland how they got to the Final Four or who they faced, getting revenge for those earlier losses would make advancing that much sweeter. As is, they already showed to be able to play better against the same opponent twice, as MD knocked off OSU in overtime for the regular season finale.
Maryland could have a similar script en route to the national championship again during this year's March Madness. It starts, though, with taking care of business against a good MEAC team. Coach Frese has her team 'dialed in' for the immediate task at hand. Sellers' words, furthermore, demonstrate the ingrained mindset of her and her teammates as a whole. The immediate matchups may look promising for the Terrapins, but they know staying in March Madness has to be earned during each and every game.