Angel Reese is driving force behind Maryland women’s basketball’s March Madness hopes

Maryland may have fallen to the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship quarterfinals, but the conference’s No. 4-ranked Terrapins are expected to be a force in upcoming March Madness brackets.

Nationally, the 21-8 Terrapins are No. 13, but there’s a reason why Wingstop ascribed their Louisiana Rub seasoning to the Terrapins. Like their zesty Cajun seasoning, the Terrapins are a high-powered offense with some kick that could take them all the way to the Final Four.

Maryland women’s basketball: 1 player to watch – Angel Reese

Angel Reese is only a sophomore, but the standout forward/guard is already making a name for herself across the collegiate league. In 2022, Reese was a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, made the Wooden Award National Ballot, made All-Big Ten First Team and All-Big Ten Defensive Team, and was a semifinalist for the Katrina McClain Award—all this after only two seasons in Baltimore.

The accolades add to what this young star earned in her freshman season, including making two prominent “Players To Watch” lists. Reese made career-high 23 points and 15 rebounds in 2022, as well as put up her third straight double-double (23 points, 12 rebounds) early in the season, becoming the first Terp to do it since WNBA star Brionna Jones did so in 2017.

Reese is a name to watch out in the years to come, and so is the name of her younger brother, Julian Reese, who has had his out breakout season as a freshman with the Terrapins.

Maryland women’s basketball:1 reason they’ll cut down the nets

The Terrapins may not be one of the top-ranked teams in the league, but nationally-acclaimed stars like Reese and Chloe Bibby demonstrate the power that Maryland has on offense this season. Bibby, a graduate student, is a veteran addition that has been leading the team since 2021, playing all 40 minutes and leading in points through several games this season as she marked over 1,000 points in her career.

It would mean a lot for Bibby to win, and with a WNBA prospect like Reese already garnering national awards and nominations, the Terrapins’ powerful offense could ensure that this year is their year.

Maryland women’s basketball: Recent NCAA Tournament history

It’s been 16 years since the Maryland Terrapins took home their first and only NCAA Championship title, but Maryland has remained a force to be reckoned with in March Madness brackets.

Since their 2006 title season, the Terrapins have made the Final Four twice  (2014, 2015), the Elite Eight five times (2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015), and the Sweet Sixteen eight times (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021).

Ever since the Terrapins came under the Big Ten banner in 2015, they have won the Big Ten Conference game nearly every season. In the eight years since, Maryland has been both the conference regular-season champion and tournament champion five times, and they were the conference regular-season champion in 2019. A stunning loss to the Indiana Hoosiers surrendered the Terrapins in the semifinals of the Big Ten Championship in 2022, but the sting of a fourth-place finish in their conference may be the thing to heat up the Terrapins in the playoffs.

The Terrapins may have ended their latest Big Ten run without a title, but No. 13 Maryland still ends the season 21-8 in the regular season and 13-4 in the conference. This “battle-tested” team is expected to learn from their latest loss, which could propel them on their deepest March Madness run in years.

If you’re still not sure who to root for in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, our Flavor Finder can help you find a new favorite.

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