The SB Nation Maryland site joins us again to prepare for Bucks vs. Terps.
With one game remaining in the regular season, No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball is the lone side that knows where it will be next week on the Big Ten Tournament. The Buckeyes have locked up the No. 3 seed regardless of Sunday’s result when they travel to College Park, Maryland.
While there’s still NCAA Tournament seeding to worry about for head coach Kevin McGuff’s side, the No. 18 Maryland Terrapins need a home win Sunday to lock in a double-bye.
This season, Big Ten teams only play one team twice in regular season conference play. For the Buckeyes, it’s the Terrapins and the last time they met on Jan. 23 in Columbus, injuries hampered Maryland with the Terps falling 74-66.
Since then, the Terps have played up and down, with a varying roster of players to choose from, due to more injuries. To learn more, Land-Grant Holy Land reached back out to Testudo Times, the SB Nation site dedicated to all things Maryland sports. Max Schaeffer returned to answer questions about the return of Shyanne Sellers, the loss of Saylor Poffenbarger and more.
Land-Grant Holy Land: The last time Ohio State played Maryland, Shyanne Sellers was out. Since returning, she’s had big games but was instrumental in Bloomington on Thursday night with 25 points and Coach Frese said she’s only playing at 70-75%. What is Sellers struggling with on the court with the injury? Are there any parts of her game missing with the knee not fully healed?
Testudo Times: I think the injury has made her a little less mobile and less aggressive offensively. That being said, Sellers is capable of looking like herself it’s just harder to get it for 4 straight quarters in her current condition.
LGHL: With Sellers going out, now Saylor Poffenbarger is day-to-day with a lower leg injury. What is the team missing with her out and who is stepping up in her place?
TT: Poffenbarger is one of the team’s best shooters from three when she’s hot and the team’s best rebounder. She was really starting to play her best basketball when she got hurt so on top of Marylands other injuries it’s a big blow.
The other two starting forwards Allie Kubek and Christina Dalce’s role increases with her out and Frese will ask for more from 6-6 Amari DeBerry who hasn’t played many important minutes to this point.
LGHL: Looking at the last six games for Maryland, they’ve taken on all comers except for a lopsided defeat to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. What happened in that game for the Terps to lose by 20 at home?
TT: Honestly your guess might be as good as mine. That was by far Marylands worst loss of the season and a true outlier of a performance. They let Nebraska shoot almost 60% from three, and got out rebounded by 17.
LGHL: Maryland holds the fate of their Big Ten Tournament seeding in their hands. A win Sunday gets them the double-bye. For Ohio State, they need to win to convince the NCAA Tournament committee to let them host the first two rounds. How do you think Maryland steps up to the moment, at home, with the injuries they’re suffering?
TT: I think the team will be motivated and hungry, but to be honest it is a bit unpredictable as of late. Them and Ohio State have been the top dogs of the Big Ten for a while now and I think Frese and the seniors will be motivated not to get swept by the Buckeyes. Playing a team as good OSU shorthanded, is always a tall task though so I could see the game going either way truthfully.