Maryland women’s basketball bracket madness (Sweet 16)

It’s still bracket season at Testudo Times. Last week, we debuted Maryland women’s basketball bracket madness, a 32-player tournament of all-time Terps. With first-round voting complete, it’s time for our staff to dive deeper into our top 16 players as we continue the series.

The results

There were several blowouts in the opening round, as expected, but we also had multiple incredibly close calls. And with a smaller electorate than the men’s bracket, some of these matchups went all the way to the wire.

Myra Waters held off former teammate Jazmina Perazic by all of two votes across site and Twitter voting. Debbie Lytle actually lost her matchup against Marcia Richardson on the site, but a whopping 86 percent performance on Twitter was just enough to vault her into the next round. Tianna Hawkins (57.5 percent against Jessie Hicks) and Laura Harper (63.4 percent against Tara Heiss) were our next-closest victors.

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The matchups

ALYSSA THOMAS (2010-14)
Career stats: 17.5 pts, 9.1 rebs, 3.6 asts, 1.8 stls
Best season: 2013-14 (senior) — 19.0 pts, 10.9 rebs, 4.1 asts, 1.5 stls
Totals: 2,356 points (1st), 1,235 rebounds (1st), 488 assists (5th), 238 steals (6th)
Awards: 3x ACC POY (2012-14), 3x All-American (2012-14), 3x All-ACC First Team (2012-14), NCAA regional MOP (2014), ACC Tournament MVP (2012), ACC ROY (2011)

Sometimes, greatness is apparent before it materializes. Maryland head coach Brenda Frese knew Alyssa Thomas would be special from the first time she saw Thomas as a high school prospect. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native committed to the Terps as a high school junior and was the No. 7 player in the 2010 class, according to ESPN, by the time she arrived on campus.

Thomas wasted no time leaving a legacy on the college game. She won ACC Rookie of the Year in 2011 (14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds per game), then captured the league’s Player of the Year in 2012 (17.2 points, 8.0 boards). As a junior, injuries across the roster forced Thomas to spend some time at point guard, so she averaged 5.3 assists alongside 18.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. And for good measure, she tallied 19.0 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 2013-14, becoming Maryland’s all-time leader in points and rebounds — men and women combined — and leading the Terps to the Final Four. She and Duke’s Alana Beard are the only three-time ACC Players of the Year.

In the program’s online record book, Thomas’ name appears a whopping 172 times. That number speaks loudly enough. — TK

TIANNA HAWKINS (2009-13)
Career stats: 11.7 pts, 8.0 rebs, 0.9 blks, 0.7 asts
Best season: 2012-13 (senior) — 18.0 pts, 9.7 rebs, 1.1 asts
Totals: 1,595 points (14th), 1,086 rebounds (5th), 117 blocks (9th), 57.4% FG (5th)
Awards: All-ACC First Team (2013), All-ACC Second Team (2012)

Like so many of the players on this list, Hawkins’ production rose gradually across her four-year career. She made an immediate impact at Maryland in 2009-10, starting nine games and averaging 9.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per contest. Her numbers actually dipped as a sophomore — 16.8 minutes, 7.4 points, 5.4 boards — due in part, ironically, to the addition of Thomas in the frontcourt. But Hawkins played her way into the lineup full-time as a junior, even with Thomas and Lynetta Kizer already in the post, and shot 62.3 percent from the field en route to 12.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest.

In 2012-13, Hawkins paired with Thomas to give Maryland the best 1-2 punch in the conference. She tallied 18.0 points and 9.7 boards per game and shot 54.3 percent from the field, even with significantly increased attempts. After putting the exclamation point on four years of contributions, Hawkins remains fifth in rebounds, ninth in blocks and 14th in points in program history. — TK

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BRIONNA JONES (2013-17)
Career stats: 13.6 pts, 8.5 rebs, 1.2 blks, 1.2 stls, 0.9 asts
Best season: 2016-17 (senior) — 19.9 pts, 10.9 rebs, 1.9 stls, 1.6 blks, 1.5 asts, 69.0% FG
Totals: 1,928 points (T-7th), 1,209 rebounds (3rd), 164 blocks (4th), 65.0% FG (2nd)
Awards: All-American (2017), 3x All-Big Ten First Team (2015-17)

Jones accomplished plenty in her first three seasons. She was a key role player and full-time starter on Final Four Teams in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and handled Big Ten opponents for 15.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game as a junior in 2015-16. But she was almost better known as one of three pre-med majors in Maryland’s starting five, alongside Malina Howard and Kristen Confroy. As her senior season began, I wrote about the decision that awaited her — she’d have to choose between pro basketball and medical school.

Her play answered the question for her. Jones averaged 19.9 points and 10.9 boards in 2016-17, recording 25 double-doubles. She was a First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection. The Connecticut Sun selected Jones No. 8 overall in that spring’s WNBA Draft, and she’s been a steady role player each of the last three seasons. Medical school and the goal of becoming a pediatrician will have to wait. — TK

KRIS KIRCHNER (1977-80)
Career stats: 16.0 pts, 10.5 rebs, 1.0 asts, 2.1 blks, 1.3 stls
Best season: 1979-80 (junior) — 20.9 pts, 12.1 rebs, 1.5 asts, 1.9 blks, 1.6 stls
Totals: 10.2 RPG (1st), 936 rebounds (8th), 16.0 PPG (5th), 1,425 points (18th), 186 blocks (2nd)
Awards: ACC Tournament MVP (1979), EAIAW All-Region (1979)

Nearly every player in this bracket spent four seasons at Maryland — Malissa Boles, who didn’t reach this round, transferred in for her junior season and posted two strong years for the Terps. A quartet of players from the past half-decade — Lexie Brown, Destiny Slocum, Shakira Austin and Taylor Mikesell — transferred from Maryland early in their careers and were left out of this tournament field.

Kirchner transferred from Maryland after her junior season in 1980 due to “differences” with head coach Chris Weller, spending her final season at Rutgers (the AIAW didn’t require her to sit out a year). This is why Kirchner isn’t higher on Maryland’s all-time leaderboards, and it’s likely why her number isn’t in the rafters. But the All-American and U.S. Olympian left an extensive legacy in College Park.

Kirchner is the only Terp to average a double-double for her career (16.0 points, 10.5 rebounds). Maryland reached the AIAW title game her first season and consecutive quarterfinals after that. And four decades after transferring, she remains second in blocks and eighth in rebounds in Maryland history. Much like plenty of men’s players who left for the NBA with eligibility remaining, the history of this program can’t be told — and debated — without Kirchner. — TK

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KRISTI TOLIVER (2005-09)
Career stats: 14.9 pts, 5.4 ast, 2.9 rebs 1.1 stls, 40.8% 3P, 86.6% FT
Best season: 2008-09 (junior) — Started all 37 games, 17.1 pts, 7.4 asts, 3.4 rebs, 1.5 stls
Totals: 2,078 points (5th), 751 assists (1st), 14.9 PPG (8th), 300 3Ps (1st), .408 3P% (3rd), .866 FT% (1st)
Awards: ACC Player of the Year (2009), 2x All-ACC First Team (2008-09), 2x All-American (2008-09), All-Final Four (2006), National Champion (2006)

Hit a game-tying shot with seconds left in the national championship? Check. Ruin Duke’s chances at winning it all? Check. Do it all as a freshman? Check. Toliver became a household name in College Park in just her first year with the Terrapins after her performance in the 2006 National Championship.

After her freshman season, Toliver continued to dominate the ACC with two All-American selections and a conference Player of the Year award in her senior campaign in 2009. The Harrisonburg, Virginia, product stands atop the school’s record books in assists and three-pointers made, along with 2,078 points, which ranks fifth in program history. — MT

LAURA HARPER (2004-08)
Career stats: 12.1 pts, 7.5 rebs, 1.1 asts, 1.7 blks, 1.0 stls, 56.5% FG
Best season: 2007-08 (senior) — 14.1 pts, 8.5 rebs, 1.4 asts, 1.5 stls, 1.3 blks
Totals: 873 rebounds (10th), 198 blocks (1st)
Awards: Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2006), All-Final Four (2006), National Champion (2006)

Though a year older than Toliver, Harper also played her first full season with the Terrapins in the 2006 championship run after tearing her achilles the year before. In Maryland’s postseason run, Harper tallied 24 points in the Final Four and 16 more in the championship game.

Her 70 blocks in the 2006 season contributed to a program-high 198 in her college campaign before she departed for the WNBA. Her senior season stats were the most well-rounded in her career, but her clutch performance in the championship season earned her Final Four Most Outstanding Player and a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year Award. — MT

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MARISSA COLEMAN (2005-09)
Career stats: 15.3 pts, 7.9 rebs, 3.1 asts, 1.4 stls, 1.0 blks, 38.8% 3P
Best season: 2008-09 (senior) — 18.1 pts, 8.6 rebs, 3.3 asts, 1.8 stls
Totals: 2,205 points (3rd), 15.3 PPG (6th), 1,139 rebounds (4th), 7.9 RPG (9th), 453 assists (7th), 141 blocks (5th)
Awards: All-ACC First Team (2009), All-American (2009), ACC Tournament MVP (2009), All-ACC Second Team (2006, 2007, 2008), ACC Rookie of the Year (2006), National Champion (2006)

Coleman was without a doubt one of the greatest players to come through the Maryland women’s basketball program and shined despite playing on such deep teams during her time in College Park.

She became the first player, and is still one of just two, in school history to record a triple double — tallying 15 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in December 2006 against UC Santa Barbara. As she progressed through her college career, Coleman continued to improve and finished her senior season averaging 18.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game to be drafted second overall by the Washington Mystics.

Head coach Brenda Frese, however, recently revealed that Coleman almost never made it to the University of Maryland. After having the No. 2 recruiting class in the country the year prior, Frese and her staff managed to lock up commitments on Memorial Day Weekend from Coleman and Kristi Toliver — good for the No. 4 class in 2005. Over the summer and into the fall, Coleman reportedly walked back on her commitment to the Terps and took visits, nearly landing at the University of Florida. But Frese managed to keep the class together and signed both Coleman and Toliver in the early period. — WB

CHRISTY WINTERS (1986-90)
Career stats: 13.7 pts, 5.9 rebs, 0.9 asts, 53.7% FG
Best season: 1989-90 (senior) — 17.8 pts, 6.8 rebs, 50.1% FG 71.1% FT
Totals: 1,679 points (10th), 703 FGs (9th), 91 blocks (13th)
Awards: All-ACC First Team (1990)

Winters’ time at Maryland was a predominantly steady stream of improvement from year to year. She started her career averaging 9.8 points per game as a freshman and eventually increased that to 17.8 points per game in her senior season. Winters played under the wings of Vicky Bullett and Deanna Tate before becoming a co-captain as a senior.

Head coach Chris Weller brought in Winters as part of a highly-touted 1986 recruiting class that also included Beth Hunt, Edna Campbell and Lynn Munday. All-Americans Hunt and Campbell eventually transferred out of the program, leaving Winters to carry that Terrapin class.

Winters came to College Park at 6’1, 135 pounds, but managed to add on two more inches and 20 pounds to become a bigger threat at the college level. She eventually went on to play professionally in Europe and averaged 37 points and 12 rebounds per game during her final season in Switzerland. — WB

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VICKY BULLETT (1985-89)
Career stats: 16.9 pts, 8.5 rebs, 1.3 asts, 1.9 stls, 1.5 blks
Best season: 1988-89 (senior) — 21.4 pts, 9.0 rebs, 1.8 asts, 2.3 stls, 1.4 blks
Totals: 1,928 points (6th), 968 rebounds (6th), 816 field goals (3rd), 170 blocks (3rd), 220 steals (11th)
Awards: ACC Player of the Year (1989), 2x All-ACC First Team (1988-89), All-American (1989), ACC Tournament MVP (1989)

Bullett’s track record speaks for itself. Ending her career in the top-10 in over four statistical categories has proven that the Maryland center was one of the all-time greats. Bullett played for a dominant Terrapins team that excelled in the postseason year after year.

As one of the leading contributors to Maryland’s success in the 80s, Bullett filled her trophy case largely within conference play, taking home ACC Player of the Year honors in her senior season and being named to the conference’s First Team twice in her career. The Terrapin center continued to dominate in her professional career and cemented herself in history as a Hall of Famer. — MT

DEBBIE LYTLE (1979-83)
Career stats: 10.7 pts, 6.0 rebs, 5.3 asts, 2.8 stls, 49.8% FG
Best season: 1981-82 (junior) — 11.8 pts, 6.3 rebs, 5.7 asts, 2.8 stls
Totals: 315 steals (1st), 583 assists (2nd), 668 rebounds (19th), 1,189 points (28th)
Awards: AWSI All-American (1982), All-ACC Tournament (1981), WBCA All-Region (1981)

Lytle was a leader for Maryland during her time in College Park. The scrappy point guard led the Terrapins to their first-ever Final Four appearance in 1982 after earning a spot on the All-ACC Tournament team a year prior.

As the program’s leader in steals and second in all-time assists, Lytle is truly one of the best to ever suit up in the red, white, black and gold. Her 2014 induction in the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame was the last step in immortalizing her college career, joining the Terrapin greats in the same year as another legend, Len Bias. — MT

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SHATORI WALKER-KIMBROUGH (2013-17)
Career stats: 15.2 pts, 4.5 rebs, 2.6 asts, 1.6 stls, 45.9% 3P
Best season: 2015-16 (junior) — 19.5 pts, 6.0 rebs, 3.3 asts, 1.9 stls, 54.5% 3P
Totals: 2,156 points (4th), 15.2 PPG (7th), 802 field goals (5th), 186 3-pointers (4th), 45.9% 3P (1st)
Awards: 3x All-Big Ten First Team (2015-17), 2x All-American (2016-17), NCAA regional MOP (2015)

Walker-Kimbrough has her name marked all over the Maryland record books, ranking in the top five of nearly every scoring category, including the best season and career three-point percentage in school history. The Terp was such a flamethrower from behind the arc that she led the NCAA in three-point percentage (54.5 %) in the 2015-2016 season, which also set a new Big Ten record.

In her first two seasons as a Terp, Walker-Kimbrough played a key role in leading Maryland to consecutive Final Four appearances in 2014 and 2015. She averaged 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds across the 2015 run and was named the Spokane Regional Most Outstanding Player. The only year that Walker-Kimbrough and the Terps did not make it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament was in 2016.

However, her most impressive years were as a junior and senior, and in both seasons she was named an All-American and an All-Big Ten First Team selection. During that span, Walker-Kimbrough averaged 19.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. — LB

KAILA CHARLES (2016-20)
Career stats: 14.7 pts, 6.9 rebs, 1.9 asts, 1.4 stls
Best season: 2017-18 (sophomore) — 17.9 pts, 8.1 rebs, 2.1 asts, 1.6 stls, 1.1 blks
Totals: 1,984 points (5th), 930 rebounds (9th), 97 blocks (10th), 191 steals (15th)
Awards: All-American (2020), 3x All-Big Ten First Team (2018-20)

Similarly to her former teammate, Charles was a three time All-Big Ten First Team selection that had a major impact for Maryland in each of her four seasons. She led the Terps to three regular season Big Ten titles, four Big Ten tournament finals, two Big Ten tournament championships and four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen berth in 2017.

Charles is one of just six players in program history in the top-10 in points (fifth) and rebounds (ninth), both of which she undoubtedly would have added more to if the 2020 offseason hadn’t been canceled.

Though she was named an All-American as a senior, Charles’ sophomore season was her best statistically as a Terp. Her 17.9 points per game were the most ever for a Maryland sophomore, and she also averaged 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting over 50 percent from the floor. — LB

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CRYSTAL LANGHORNE (2004-08)
Career stats: 16.1 pts, 9.1 rebs, 1.5 asts, 1.1 stls
Best season: 2005-06 (sophomore) — 17.2 pts, 8.6 rebs, 2.0 asts, 0.7 stls, 0.3 blks
Totals: 2,247 points (2nd), 1,229 rebounds (2nd), 889 field goals (2nd), 469 free throws (4th)
Awards: 3x All-American (2006-08), ACC POY (2008), 3x All-ACC First Team (2006-08), ACC ROY (2005)

Since joining the Terps as the consensus No. 1 post player in the class of 2004, Langhorne was the model for consistency during her time in College Park.

Starting in 135 of a possible 134 games over her four years, Langhorne’s displays of offensive dominance night in and night out were as impressive as they were a pleasure to watch. Whether it was out-muscling defenders on the low block or forcing her way to the free-throw line, when it came to putting the ball in the hole, few have done it better in a Maryland uniform than Langhorne.

Averaging 16.1 points per game for her collegiate career, Langhorne thrice finished as Division I’s most efficient shooter from the floor, leading the nation in field goal percentage in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08. Earning NCAA Albuquerque Region Most Outstanding Player after posting a pair of double-doubles against Baylor and Utah, including 34 points against the Bears in the team’s 2006 National Title run, Langhorne never failed to make an impact on a game, regardless of the circumstances. — HM

MYRA WATERS (1978-82)
Career stats: 12.4 pts, 6.9 rebs, 1.9 asts, 2.3 stls
Best season: 1980-1981 (junior) — 16.2 pts, 8.5 rebs, 1.6 asts, 2.8 stls
Totals: 1,423 points (18th), 782 rebs (11th), 241 steals (5th)
Awards: All-ACC Tournament Team (1981), Kodak All-American Finalist (1981), 2x AIAW Kodak All-Region (1980-81), 2x EAIAW All-Region (1980-81)

Despite lacking in height compared to some of the other forwards on the team, Waters always made her presence known to opponents on both ends of the floor.

Playing in the pre-three point line era, Waters never relented in her attack on both the rim and on the glass during her time as a Terp, leading the team in scoring and rebounding in her junior season. She also had a penchant for showing up on the biggest stages, earning multiple All-ACC Tournament and All-Regional National Tournament honors in 1980 and 1981.

She finished her career as the program’s second all-time leading scorer and rebounder, setting marks that were eventually surpassed but at the time were remarkable. She also held program records for total field goals, field goal percentage and free throw percentage, setting a standard for greatness that all Terp forwards to come after her would have to aspire to. — HM

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DEANNA TATE (1985-89)
Career stats: 16.5 pts, 5.4 asts, 3.3 rebs, 3.2 stls
Best season: 1988-89 (senior) — 19.8 pts, 6.8 asts, 3.9 stls, 55.0% FG
Totals: 1,541 points (14th), 500 assists (4th), 618 field goals (T-13th), 287 free throws (T-14th), 293 steals (3rd)
Awards: All-American (1989), All-ACC First Team (1989), All-Final Four (1989), NCAA region MOP (1989), 2x ACC Tournament MVP (1986, 1988)

When it comes to guards that can do a little bit of everything, few did it better than Tate did during her era.

Averaging over 16 points per game over her career, Tate had no issue taking it into in her own hands to make things happen offensively. But she also thrived as a facilitator as well, setting up nearly seven assists per game in her senior season while still recording the fourth most assists in program history to this day. Her 293 steals rank third in program history, and she proved to be a capable rebounder with over 157 boards in 1987-88.

But Tate really put it all together as a senior, a year in which she dominated opponents in both the regular and postseasons. Her near 20 point per game mark earned All-American and All-ACC First Team honors, and followed that up by leading the Terps to their second-ever Final Four. Her 27 point performance against Tennessee in the National Semifinal wasn’t enough to get Maryland into the title game but put her on the 1989 All-Final Four team to cap off a dazzling career. — HM

SHAY DORON (2003-07)
Career stats: 14.0 pts, 4.0 rebs, 3.0 asts, 1.7 stls
Best season: 2004-05 (sophomore) — 17.6 pts, 4.4 rebs, 3.2 asts, 2.0 stls
Totals: 1,878 points (8th), 411 assists (11th), 223 steals (10th), 618 field goals (13th), 150 3-pointers (7th), 492 free throws (2nd)
Awards: All-ACC First Team (2005), All-ACC Second Team (2006), All-ACC Third Team (2004), All-ACC Tournament (2004), ACC All-Freshman Team (2004)

A three-level threat in an era where not every team had the luxury of having one, Doron’s ability to score from all over the floor made her a dynamic offensive talent.

Whether it was at the rim, at the line or beyond the arc, Doron put points on the board with ease throughout her career. Averaging double-digit points per game since her freshman season, Doron’s capacity to score at will really helped the Terps ascend under Brenda Frese in the mid-2000s. A free throw ace as well, Doron made it a habit to get herself to the charity stripe whenever possible, sinking 492 free throws during her career in 613 attempts (80.3 percent).

But perhaps Doron’s strongest claim to Maryland women’s hoops lore was the role she played in the 2006 National Title run. She was instrumental in the Terps’ opening round win over Sacred Heart, notching 17 points and five assists in what was a blowout win, and sunk nine of 10 free throws against St. John’s in a second round win. She saved her best for last, though, putting up a team-high 16 points in the title game to help Maryland seal its first and only National Championship. — HM