No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball is set to hit the road for the first time this season — and it could’ve hardly found a place farther from the Xfinity Center.
The Terps will face No. 16 Kentucky in the
first game of the Discover Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan. Entering on a seven-game win streak, Maryland will battle the toughest opponent of its nonconference slate.
Tip-off on Wednesday is slated for 5:30 p.m. from the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. The game will be streamed on FloHoops.
No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats (7-0, 0-0 SEC)
2024-25 record: 23-8, 11-5 SEC
Head coach Kenny Brooks is in his second season with Kentucky after spending eight seasons at Virginia Tech and 14 with James Madison. Brooks led Kentucky to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, its best finish since 2019-20. In 2022-23, Brooks led Virginia Tech to the Final Four.
Kentucky comes to Puerto Rico off a big road win over No. 23 Louisville Saturday, having moved up four spots in the Associated Press poll after beating Purdue and the Cardinals last week.
The Wildcats returned three starters from last season and filled out their starting lineup with a veteran guard who was hurt last season and a member of last season’s All-ACC Second Team.
Players to watch
Clara Strack, junior center, 6-foot-5, No. 13 – The 2024-25 SEC Defensive Player of the Year returned to Lexington for a second season after following Brooks from Virginia Tech. Through seven games thus far, Strack leads the Wildcats with averages of 16.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. Strack is one of the best defensive players in the nation, and someone Maryland will struggle to contain.
Amelia Hassett, senior forward, 6-foot-4, No. 32 – Hassett is in her second season with the Wildcats after transferring in from Eastern Florida. This season, she averages 11.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. She shoots the highest volume of 3-pointers for the Wildcats, going 19-of-54 (35.2%) from deep and 29-of-65 (44.6%) from the field. Alongside her secondary skill inside the arc, Hassett is strong on the defensive end, with 14 blocks and six steals on the season.
Tonie Morgan, senior guard, 5-foot-9, No. 5 – Morgan is in her first season with Kentucky after transferring in from Georgia Tech. She is a two-time member of the All-ACC Second Team and is Kentucky’s primary facilitator. Morgan leads the nation, averaging 8.9 assists per game. She also averages 10.9 points on 44.1% shooting, alongside 2.6 rebounds a game. She’s one of the best playmakers in the nation, creating looks for her teammates while also scoring herself.
Strength
Defense. Kentucky is one of the best defensive teams in the country this season. The Wildcats average 9.7 blocks per game — the most in the nation. Strack’s 3.14 blocks per game have been a big factor in the prolific rim protection. Kentucky also allows 46.1 points per game, which is the fourth-fewest in the nation. The Wildcats have a 35.9 point differential thus far and have swallowed up opposing offenses through seven games. As Maryland’s defense has improved, Wednesday is expected to be a defensive showcase.
Weakness
3-point shooting. Kentucky doesn’t have many weaknesses, but it has struggled from beyond the arc this season. Thus far, the Wildcats have shot 64-of-206 (31.1%) from deep. However, its opponents have shot worse from deep (25.9%) on the season. Lexi Blue, Asia Boone and Hassett have been Kentucky’s highest volume 3-point shooters, but haven’t shot well from deep. Maryland has been better from deep, shooting 34.1% on the season, yet the Terps shot 2-of-17 from beyond the arc against George Mason on Sunday.
Three things to watch
1. Top-20 matchup. The Terps have been tested by competitive lower-level programs early on this season, but haven’t faced a ranked major program. That will change on Wednesday. Kentucky is the best opponent on Maryland’s nonconference schedule and is also undefeated. This is the first time Maryland will face competition similar to what it will face in the Big Ten and in the postseason.
2. Lack of rest. Maryland is in the midst of playing three games in five days and will play back-to-back days in Puerto Rico. The Terps are healthy outside of expected absences in Bri McDaniel and Lea Bartelme. Wednesday will test the resilience of Maryland’s depth and conditioning.
3. How will the Terps compete down low? As previously mentioned, Strack is one of the best centers in the nation and a terror on defense. Maryland has yet to figure out how it will play the 5-position, as Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu, Marya Boiko and Breanna Williams have all been utilized. Maryland has relied on small ball in its last two games, but it will likely have to adjust to contain Strack and the Wildcats’ bigger approach.
