This joyful and fired-up version of Sellers brings hope for a team that has seen substantial change heading into this season. In her senior year, Sellers has stepped up to lead a new-look Maryland team, despite questions surrounding the squad's chemistry and integration of ten new faces. "Love a good mystery," Sellers said with a grin, hinting at the unpredictability she hopes her team will bring to the court. “Expect the unexpected.”
The Terps are set to tip off Monday night against Maryland-Baltimore County, carrying hopes of improving from a challenging season. Last year, the team closed out with a 19-14 record and, for the first time since 2010, found itself unranked. Their 9-9 conference record only earned them eighth place in the Big Ten, and a disappointing first-round NCAA tournament loss to Iowa State left them hungry for more. Under Head Coach Brenda Frese, the program’s most successful coach, the Terps had never before bowed out in the first round since she took charge in 2002. Yet, despite these setbacks, Frese has her sights firmly set on the future.
Recognizing the challenges that come with keeping a successful program competitive, Frese didn’t waste any time in retooling the roster. The NCAA transfer portal has become a powerful tool for building teams, but it opens up just one day after Selection Sunday, putting tournament-bound teams like Maryland in a unique bind. Balancing postseason preparation with recruiting demands, Frese and her staff adjusted roles and responsibilities, increasing the focus on bringing in new talent through the portal. “For some people, it might be daunting to have 10 new players,” Frese explained. “It’s like pieces to a puzzle for me. We’re going to be learning as time goes on, and [details will] evolve.”
And evolve it has. Frese’s commitment to rebuilding has transformed Maryland’s roster into a blend of size, speed, and defensive prowess. Among the new recruits is Sarah Te-Biasu, the 2024 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year from VCU. A talented point guard, Te-Biasu’s arrival shifts Sellers back to her natural off-ball role, relieving her of some offensive responsibilities and enabling her to focus on what she does best. Another crucial addition is 6-foot-6 Amari DeBerry, who brings height to a Maryland team that hasn’t had a true center since Shakira Austin in 2019-20. Meanwhile, other standout transfers include Christina Dalce from Villanova, Saylor Poffenbarger from Arkansas, and Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu from Gulf Coast State, all of whom add size and versatility on the wing.
This lineup also gained a significant veteran presence with former Rutgers guard Kaylene Smikle, who made an impressive impact as a freshman in the Big Ten by ranking fifth in points per game before an ankle injury limited her last season. Each of these transfers is at least a junior, bringing essential experience to the Terps’ lineup. “It’s been comfortable,” Smikle shared, emphasizing the common goals that unite the players. “We came here for the same thing.”
Dalce echoed that sentiment, describing the camaraderie and motivation within the team. “Personally, I’ve loved it… uplifting each other, going for the same dream.” It’s clear that this squad is more than just a mix of newcomers and veterans; they’re a team with a shared vision, working together to push Maryland back into NCAA prominence.
Frese, too, has a clear strategy. Knowing that rebounding, three-point shooting, and ballhandling would be critical areas for improvement, she has assembled a team that’s athletic, deep, and defensively tenacious. In their exhibition game, Maryland tallied an impressive 22 steals, seven of which came from Smikle alone. “I’d like to send waves,” Frese said, revealing her plan to unleash a relentless defense. “We’re athletic enough to do a lot between the half court and the full court. We have tremendous size, length, and athleticism.”
To foster chemistry, the team went on a 10-day tour of Croatia over the summer, a strategic move that allowed them extra practice time, team bonding, and the chance to fine-tune their plays. “If we didn’t do the Croatia trip, it would have been a little bit harder, and we would still be trying to learn each other right now,” said junior guard Bri McDaniel, who started 25 games last season and earned Big Ten honorable mention. Such international trips are allowed only once every four years, making it a well-timed advantage for a team in the middle of a rebuild. With 10 additional practices and a couple of games in June, the trip accelerated the team’s development and cohesion, setting them up for success this season.
The team’s shared history doesn’t stop at this summer’s trip. Several players already have a history together, which has smoothed the transition and built-in familiarity. Sellers and Dalce, for example, played together on the 2023 USA Basketball U-21 three-on-three team. Additionally, both Poffenbarger and Mir McLean, a McDonald’s All-American from Baltimore and the 2020 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, began their college journeys at Connecticut before transferring. DeBerry, too, spent her freshman season with the Huskies.
And Sellers, who’s taken an active role in recruiting some of her new teammates, has noticed the effect of these past connections. “There’s usually this awkwardness in the beginning of getting to know people,” she said. “But it really wasn’t awkward because we kind of all knew of each other.”
As she enters her final season, Sellers has something to prove, and she’s taking this last run seriously. Reflecting on last season’s abrupt end, she’s more determined than ever. “I didn’t like the way last year ended,” she admitted. “This is my last year. I wanted to make sure it was really good.”
It’s a sentiment that reflects the Terps’ collective drive. With a recharged roster, improved chemistry, and renewed motivation, Maryland is back with eyes set on hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament and pushing deep into the postseason. Although the team is a work in progress, the elements for success are in place. With the energy Sellers brings to the court and the new depth Frese has assembled, this season promises the excitement, growth, and ambition Maryland fans have been waiting for.
So, as they prepare to face off against Maryland-Baltimore County, the Terrapins aren’t just hoping for a win — they’re out to reclaim their place among college basketball’s elite, all with the passion and intensity that only a player like Shyanne Sellers can bring. This is Maryland basketball, reimagined, retooled, and ready for a comeback season that could surprise everyone.
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