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Maryland women face huge test against U-Conn. on Monday Maryland women face huge test against U-Conn. on Monday
(about 5 hours later)
Maryland women’s basketball player Kiah Gillespie grew up less than an hour from the University of Connecticut, so during the freshman’s youth league days it was natural for her to gravitate toward the Huskies. Gillespie’s favorite player was Diana Taurasi, who’s on the short list in the conversation for greatest of all-time. Maryland women’s basketball player Kiah Gillespie grew up less than an hour from the University of Connecticut, so during the freshman’s youth league days, it was natural for her to gravitate toward the Huskies. Gillespie’s favorite player was Diana Taurasi, who’s on the short list in the conversation for greatest of all time.
Gillespie kept a Taurasi jersey hanging in her closest as motivation, and as she ascended to two-time Connecticut high school player of the year, the thought of playing for Coach Geno Auriemma’s powerhouse certainly crossed her mind. She even attended Connecticut practices at Auriemma’s invitation, but the match, according to Gillespie, just wasn’t right for either side.Gillespie kept a Taurasi jersey hanging in her closest as motivation, and as she ascended to two-time Connecticut high school player of the year, the thought of playing for Coach Geno Auriemma’s powerhouse certainly crossed her mind. She even attended Connecticut practices at Auriemma’s invitation, but the match, according to Gillespie, just wasn’t right for either side.
Gillespie had offers from dozens of other marquee programs, including South Carolina, Louisville and Ohio State. But in August 2014, Gillespie called Terrapins Coach Brenda Frese to inform her she would be coming to College Park, citing how comfortable she felt with her future teammates and the wealth of talent on the roster fresh off a Final Four.Gillespie had offers from dozens of other marquee programs, including South Carolina, Louisville and Ohio State. But in August 2014, Gillespie called Terrapins Coach Brenda Frese to inform her she would be coming to College Park, citing how comfortable she felt with her future teammates and the wealth of talent on the roster fresh off a Final Four.
“Certain aspects of my game that I have probably didn’t fit [Connecticut’s] program the best way,” Gillespie said. “I just felt like I’d be more successful here at Maryland and just the way that I play and what [Auriemma] was looking for just didn’t fit. He found two great players who fit that program perfectly. He knows how to recruit, and that’s why again they’re the No. 1 team in the country.” “Certain aspects of my game that I have probably didn’t fit [Connecticut’s] program the best way,” Gillespie said. “I just felt like I’d be more successful here at Maryland and just the way that I play, and what [Auriemma] was looking for just didn’t fit. He found two great players who fit that program perfectly. He knows how to recruit, and that’s why again they’re the No. 1 team in the country.”
The 6-foot-2 freshman forward started immediately for the sixth-ranked Terrapins, who are seeking to complete their non-conference schedule undefeated in a showdown against the 10-time national champions, including the last three in a row, on Monday night in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden. It’s the first game in program history for Maryland at the World’s Most Famous Arena. The 6-foot-2 freshman forward started immediately for the sixth-ranked Terrapins, who are seeking to complete their nonconference schedule undefeated in a showdown against the 10-time national champions, including the last three in a row, on Monday night in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden. It’s the first game in program history for Maryland at the world’s most famous arena.
The Terrapins (11-0) have lost all four meetings with Connecticut, most recently 81-58 in last season’s NCAA tournament national semifinals in Tampa. The Huskies (9-0) have beaten Maryland by an average of more than 20 points, with the Terrapins’ closest margin a 63-48 loss in the teams’ inaugural meeting Dec. 3, 2012, at XL Center in Hartford. The Terrapins (11-0) have lost all four meetings with Connecticut, most recently, 81-58, in last season’s NCAA tournament national semifinals in Tampa. The Huskies (9-0) have beaten Maryland by an average of more than 20 points, with the Terrapins’ closest margin a 63-48 loss in the teams’ inaugural meeting Dec. 3, 2012, at XL Center in Hartford.
“I always love players that want to compete against them and beat them,” Frese said of Gillespie. “That’s the right mentality you have to have to come in and make a difference in our game. When I saw her as we got to recruit her just how talented she is, her versatility, her size, her competitiveness, she was a perfect fit for us here at Maryland.”“I always love players that want to compete against them and beat them,” Frese said of Gillespie. “That’s the right mentality you have to have to come in and make a difference in our game. When I saw her as we got to recruit her just how talented she is, her versatility, her size, her competitiveness, she was a perfect fit for us here at Maryland.”
Gillespie is among four Maryland players averaging double figures (10.2) and ranks third on the team in rebounding (4.9). She’s led the Terrapins in scoring once with 18 points in a 97-41 win against Detroit Nov. 20 at Xfinity Center. In Maryland’s most recent game, a 106-30 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore Dec. 20, Gillespie came off the bench to score nine points with six rebounds. Gillespie is among four Maryland players averaging double figures (10.2) and ranks third on the team in rebounding (4.9). She has led the Terrapins in scoring once with 18 points in a 97-41 win against Detroit on Nov. 20 at Xfinity Center. In Maryland’s most recent game, a 106-30 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Dec. 20, Gillespie came off the bench to score nine points with six rebounds.
It was just the second time this season Gillespie did not start, with Frese instead going with senior Malina Howard. Gillespie also participated as a reserve in an 86-43 win against Central Connecticut State, one game after missing 7 of 8 shots in an 82-64 victory over then-No. 20 Syracuse Dec. 2 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Xfinity Center. It was just the second time this season Gillespie did not start, with Frese instead going with senior Malina Howard. Gillespie also participated as a reserve in an 86-43 win against Central Connecticut State, one game after making 1 of 8 shots in an 82-64 victory over then-No. 20 Syracuse on Dec. 2 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Xfinity Center.
Brianna Fraser, the only other freshman on Maryland’s roster, also has a personal stake in Monday’s game. The 6-3 forward from Brookly, N.Y., will be going back to her home city and playing again at Madison Square Garden. Fraser, a McDonald’s all-American, played high school championship games at the arena during her sophomore and senior years. Brianna Fraser, the only other freshman on Maryland’s roster, also has a personal stake in Monday’s game. The 6-3 forward from Brooklyn will be going back to her home city and playing again at Madison Square Garden. Fraser, a McDonald’s all-American, played high school championship games at the arena during her sophomore and senior years.
“Oh, it’s a honor,” Terrapins all-Big Ten junior guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough said of playing at the Garden. “Just the people who’ve played there, Kobe [Bryant], Carmelo [Anthony], just being able to be there and not only play where legends play but to play against U-Conn., it doesn’t get much better than that.”“Oh, it’s a honor,” Terrapins all-Big Ten junior guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough said of playing at the Garden. “Just the people who’ve played there, Kobe [Bryant], Carmelo [Anthony], just being able to be there and not only play where legends play but to play against U-Conn., it doesn’t get much better than that.”