Maryland women's basketball team is gearing up for a challenging stretch in their conference season, facing off against No. 12 Ohio State and top-ranked UCLA this week. However, the Terrapins may be without two key scorers for these crucial matchups. Guard Bri McDaniel has been ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL, while Shyanne Sellers, the team's second-leading scorer, suffered a knee injury in a recent game.
Coach Brenda Frese expressed uncertainty about the severity of Sellers' injury but noted that the fact it was a contact injury could be seen as a positive sign. The team will await further evaluation from medical professionals to determine the next steps. McDaniel and Sellers were collectively contributing 24.8 points per game, making their absence significant for the team.
Despite the setbacks, Frese emphasized that the outcome of the upcoming games would not define the Terrapins' season, especially considering it is still early in January. She acknowledged the challenges posed by the injuries and highlighted the need for the team to step up collectively, particularly on the defensive end.
Both Maryland and Ohio State are coming off recent losses, setting the stage for a competitive matchup between the two teams. Meanwhile, top-ranked UCLA showcased a strong performance in a victory over Baylor and is set to face Rutgers before taking on Maryland.
In other news, UConn standout Paige Bueckers achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest player in Huskies history to reach 2,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in 102 games. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Maya Moore. Bueckers joined an elite group of UConn players to reach this scoring milestone.
Additionally, the NCAA's weekly NET rankings, a key tool for the NCAA Tournament selection process, currently have South Carolina holding the top spot, with UConn moving up to second place ahead of Texas.
As the women's college basketball season progresses, fans can stay updated on the latest rankings and news by following the AP Top 25 updates throughout the season.
