No. 20 Maryland women’s basketball kicks off its 2025-26 campaign with a marquee matchup against No. 1 South Carolina in the Oui-Play double-header at Adidas Arena in Paris, France. Head coach Brenda Frese described the overseas assignment as an “incredible opportunity,” highlighting the “high-level exposure” the program aims to gain by competing on the global stage. The Terps were one of only four teams selected for the event, joining No. 21 Oklahoma, No. 1 South Carolina, and No. 12 North Carolina, signaling the conference’s strength and the Terps’ elevated status in the national landscape.
Terps seek redemption against Gamecocks in high-stakes Oui-Play double-header
The stakes are personal for Maryland, which seeks immediate redemption after falling to South Carolina in the 2025 NCAA Sweet Sixteen. The Gamecocks eliminated the Terps 71-67 in that tournament, capping a season where Maryland finished 36-4, reached the SEC Tournament final, and advanced to the NCAA semifinals. Facing the nation’s top-ranked team in the season’s first game provides a definitive benchmark for the Terps’ readiness, testing their depth and resilience against the SEC’s premier program before the regular season even begins.
This opener serves as a critical litmus test for Maryland’s defensive intensity and offensive execution against elite competition. With South Carolina entering the season as the consensus No. 1, the Terps must match their pace and physicality to validate their preseason ranking. A strong performance in Paris would not only boost confidence heading into conference play but also reinforce the program’s trajectory toward another deep NCAA tournament run, proving that the 2025-26 squad is built to contend for a national title.
Source: Testudo Times
