Another Terrapin Disappointment

A trip to Tampa and maybe even a second national championship in three years looked like a very good possibility for the Maryland women after their 3rd round dominance over Vanderbilt. They had the experience (four players from 06 championship team), an inspiring coach, and something to prove after their disappointing 2nd round exit in last year's tournament. It looked as if they had all the elements of a championship-caliber team. However they just ran into a steam-rolling train in Stanford that had maybe even more motivation going into the regional final.

Candace Wiggins and the Cardinal and not been to the final four during her tenure at the university and this was their final shot to do it. There was even extra incentive for Stanford to beat the team that arguably stole the final #1 seed away from them on Selection Monday. Wiggins just wouldn't allow her team to go down, scoring 41 points and the Terps had no answer for her and the rest of the Cardinal's lights out shooting.

The game showed that the Terps lacked the defense to be able to win a championship. You're not going to win when you allow your opponent to drop 98 points and shoot 50% from behind the arc. This was one game in which the Terps may have needed to slow the pace down to get the forwards involved. However Stanford's game plan of collapsing on Langhorne with double and triple teams whenever she touched the ball prevented the Terps from dominating the post. Turnovers at inopportune times and missed free throws by the Terps ensured that there would be no comeback.

For Frese and the Terps it'll be a tough loss to swallow especially for seniors Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper who gave so much to this program and helped build into one of the national powerhouses. There is still a bright future with stars Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman returning next year. But with the loss of two dominant post players, it seems as if this may have been the best chance for the Terps to win a title for awhile. If next year's team is going to win a title, it may take a little magic from Coach Frese.