MM 11.5: Maryland women’s basketball to open season at Gulf Coast Showcase

Maryland women’s basketball will open the 2020-21 season in Estero, Florida at the Gulf Coast Showcase Thanksgiving weekend.

The Terps will play three games at the event. First up is Davidson on Friday, Nov. 27. Then they’ll will take on Missouri State on Saturday and Arkansas on Sunday. The Gulf Coast Showcase is typically one of the more competitive events in women’s basketball, featuring six teams with the games played at Florida Golf Coast University’s Alico Arena this season.

Davidson returns 92 percent of its scoring from last season, while Missouri State (26-4) was the Missouri Valley champion in 2019-20. Arkansas (24-8) is likely to become a player in the SEC this season, and the team received former Maryland point guard Destiny Slocum as a graduate transfer from Oregon State.

Beyond social distancing requirements and enhancing cleaning protocols, the sponsor of the tournament, bdG Sports, has implemented a comprehensive plan to ensure the health and safety of all participants, and no fans will be allowed.

All teams will be tested prior to their arrival and will then undergo rapid antigen testing once there and throughout the trip. There will also be daily medical screenings with self-evaluations and temperature checks. If any players test positive, they’ll be subject to rapid PCR testing with a three-hour turnaround time for confirmation. Additionally, there will be conduct tracing implemented through a phone app.

Maryland has high expectations after finishing No. 4 overall in the AP poll when the season ended in March. Though it lost star players Kaila Charles and Taylor Mikesell, the team returns Big Ten freshman of the year Ashley Owusu, among others, and brings in freshman Angel Reese, who was named ESPN’s preseason Big Ten Newcomer of the Year.

In other news

Henry detailed the confidence building with Maryland football kicker Joseph Petrino.

Aaron Wiggins has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Watch List for the second time as a Terp.

Maryland women’s basketball’s Angel Reese is ESPN’s preseason pick for the best freshman in the Big Ten.

Maryland football's week three captains were announced.

Maryland baseball is underway with “Fall Ball.”