Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Media Credit: Adam Fried

The Terrapin women's basketball team doesn't need to be reminded of how last season ended.

The Terps are well aware, thank you very much, that they were upset in the second round of the NCAA tournament by Ole Miss last March. They still remember the devastating feeling of a promising season being cut short during the tournament's opening weekend.

Heading into tonight's NCAA tournament second-round game against No. 8-seed Nebraska, the No. 1-seed Terps are trying not to dwell on the past and are confident this year will be different.

"I'm excited about [tonight's] game because I'm really tired of having to hear the questions about last year, and I think the team is as well," coach Brenda Frese said. "It isn't the same team, it isn't the same season, and that's why I think it will be a different outcome."

But even though this is a new year and the Cornhuskers don't match up as well against the Terps as the Rebels did last year, there are still some noteworthy parallels.

Most of the Terps' key players from last year are still around, and some of the same problems that plagued the Terps in the past - struggling to take care of the ball and to play consistent defense - have popped up again lately.

The Terps looked far from their best in their 80-66 first-round win over No. 16-seed Coppin State on Sunday.

"You never, come tournament time, take anything for granted," Frese said.

But the Terps remain confident and said they feel that a more positive mindset separates this team from the one that underachieved in the postseason a year ago.

"The thing we draw from last year is definitely just the extra motivation, the fight," forward Laura Harper said. "This one particular game, which is the second game, is going to be maybe one of the most passionate ones for us."

Motivation is something the Terps might need after their uninspired performance against the Eagles.

The Terps may have felt some opening-round jitters Sunday playing in the tournament in front of their home crowd, but perhaps playing a closer-than-expected first-round game will help them get settled in.

"I definitely think a game like Coppin State keeps us grounded," Harper said. "It keeps that sense of urgency there that every team, regardless of whether they're a No. 16 seed or a No. 1 seed, is going to come ready to play."

After last year's upset and Sunday's below-average effort, the Terps know they can't look past tonight's game against the Cornhuskers.

But in the end, they still consider tonight's game just one more hurdle between them and their ultimate destination.

And the farther they advance, the easier it becomes to put the disappointment of last year behind them.

"Last year was last year, and this year is a completely different team," guard Kristi Toliver said. "This team's mentality, where our heads are at, we expect to be [at the Final Four] in Tampa. This is just another game to lead us down into Florida."

schimmeldbk@gmail.com

Article Tools