Maryland women's basketball readies for strong season with key returns

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, November 1, 2026

The Maryland women’s basketball team is preparing for the 2026-27 season with key players returning from injury and a strong recruiting class, including Bri McDaniel’s first game since her ACL tear in January 2025. With a revamped roster blending experience and new talent, Maryland aims to improve on last season’s performance as they face a challenging schedule featuring top-ranked opponents.

The Maryland women’s basketball team is gearing up for the 2026-27 season with renewed optimism, buoyed by the return of key players from injury and a strong influx of new talent. Bri McDaniel, who suffered an ACL tear in January 2025, is set to make her long-awaited regular season debut on Monday against top-ranked South Carolina in Paris. This will mark her first game action since January 2025, ending a 657-day absence.

Maryland enters the season ranked 20th in the Associated Press preseason top 25 poll, seeking to build on a 24-9 record from the 2024-25 campaign. The previous season was challenging as significant injuries to players like Bartelme and McKennie left the team shorthanded. Despite those difficulties, the Terps extended their streak to 15 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances under head coach Brenda Frese, although their postseason run ended in the second round against North Carolina.

The roster has undergone notable changes ahead of the new season. Maryland lost four of its top six scorers, including all-Big Ten guard Kaylene Smikle, along with other important contributors. To reinforce depth and skill, Frese turned to the transfer portal, bringing in forward Nunu Agara from Stanford and guard Chloe Sotell. The coaching staff also added a highly regarded recruiting class highlighted by four McDonald’s All-Americans: guards Jordyn Jackson and Trinity Jones, and forwards Oumou “Mimi” Thiero and Eva-Grace Yebila.

The revamped roster emphasizes speed, athleticism, and depth, with a balanced blend of defensive and offensive capabilities distributed across multiple players. Early signs indicate the team may be stronger than last year’s lineup, exemplified by a recent exhibition victory over North Carolina that had a palpable sense of redemption.

Maryland faces a demanding schedule, including a high-profile matchup against No. 2 Connecticut on Dec. 5, ahead of a rigorous Big Ten slate featuring several top-25 opponents. The combination of experienced returnees and talented newcomers has the team poised and eager to compete at a high level as the season unfolds.

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