Sports
Maryland Terrapins Basketball: Undefeated Start and Upcoming Matchups
The Maryland Terrapins basketball teams are off to a strong start in the 2024-25 season. The 11th-ranked Maryland women’s basketball team, led by Head Coach Brenda Frese, is currently undefeated with a 4-0 record. Their latest victory came against Syracuse, where they trailed by 10 in the first half but rallied with a 15-0 run in the second quarter to win 84-73. Kaylene Smikle led the team with 22 points, marking her third consecutive game with 20+ points. Allie Kubek, Bri McDaniel, and Christina Dalce also contributed significantly with 16, 13, and 10 points respectively.
The women’s team is set to host Towson on Sunday at the XFINITY Center, a matchup that will be their 25th all-time against Towson, with Maryland leading the series 19-5. The Terrapins have been impressive, winning the rebounding battle in all four games this season and maintaining a strong record of 62-5 when leading at halftime over the last four seasons.
On the men’s side, the Maryland Terrapins, under Coach Kevin Willard, are also undefeated with a 3-0 record. They recently faced off against the Marquette Golden Eagles on November 15. The game was highly anticipated, with Maryland favored by 1.5 points on the spread. The Terrapins have been led by strong performances from freshman Derik Queen, Virginia Tech transfer Rodney Rice, and Julian Reese. Despite their undefeated start, the team has yet to face stiff competition, with all their wins coming against teams ranked 250th or worse in KenPom[4].
The men’s team’s upcoming schedule will test their mettle, starting with the matchup against Marquette. Coach Shaka Smart‘s Marquette team, though missing key players from last season, has shown defensive prowess, leading the nation in steal rate. The game against Marquette marked a significant challenge for Maryland as they transition from playing weaker opponents to more formidable teams[4][5].