NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - MURRAY STATE VS MARYLAND

March 19, 2026

Brenda Frese

Carmichael Arena

Maryland Terrapins

Media Conference

BRENDA FRESE: Yeah, you know, just super grateful to be here, obviously to be playing in this prestigious tournament. For us it's our 16th straight appearance and we're really being look Ford to it. We've had a great week and a half to get ready.

Just so impressed with Murray State after winning their Missouri Valley Conference championship. 15 straight games. You talk about the player of the year, newcomer player the year. It's just a team that once put up a lot of points; No. 5 in the country; and want to score early and often with threes and three throws.

For us it's locking in on our defense. We're also No. 12 in the country in scoring, so a lot of offense, which I think people will really enjoy with two high-powered offenses.

For us, you know, it's also bringing our defense, so looking forward to the matchup.

Q. Just after another really successful season. Congrats on that. With the big gap, how has your team handled the layoff? What have you emphasized in practice?

BRENDA FRESE: It's been really good for us to be able to reset and recharge. Really the healthiest our roster has been all season long. You use this time to kind of focus on yourselves.

For us it's fine tuning the details: Our defense, offense, offensive execution. So a lot of areas I'm really just appreciative to be able to have the last couple weeks to be able to put that focus on us to improve and be ready for this tournament.

Q. You said you made the tournament for 16 straight years. What's different about this year and any other team that you coached?

BRENDA FRESE: Just the thing that I'm most proud of is their resiliency. It's been a season with a lot of highs and lows to be honest when you talk about just a lot of injuries that we've had to endure. This roster has stayed super resilient and connected.

So I think we've learned a lot of lessons through those different moments. I think our conference has really prepared us for now.

I love the fact that this team has never quit fighting and they continue to just put their head down and work.

Q. Again, as you mentioned, Murray State comes in as one of the hottest teams in the country; won 15 straight. What stands out on film and what makes them a dangerous first-round opponent?

BRENDA FRESE: Well, to start they're really well-coached; tremendous offensive system. I think they do a really good job putting their players in positions to be successful. Any time you have a team full of scorers you're going to do really well.

You've seen that within their system. Everybody can shoot it and score it. It's not like you can help off any player on the roster because they can all score points.

So it's a team that's going to be up-tempo. They want to play fast.

So for us it's being able to bring our defense and make them have to talk more difficult shots.

Q. So with that style of play, how difficult is it to prepare for a team like Murray State?

BRENDA FRESE: Yeah, I mean, I don't know if difficult is the word. We see a lot of these styles in our conference. So I think for us we have been prepared. When you play against an Ohio State or Michigan State or you could go through our entire conference likes to play fast.

So I think that does prepare us for a roster like this.

But, again, I think we just have the most respect for Murray State. To win 15 straight games and be No. 5 in the country in your scoring, obviously you're doing a lot of things well.

For us we have a lot of the respect that we have to come in and be able to do our part. That's on both ends of the floor. We've got to be able to defend from our end and we've got to show our offense and the abilities that we have within our roster.

Q. All of a sudden couple sets of twins on the team. Got your twins right there. Anything you said to those players or your sons and having those sons -- having players with such bonds and sisters and brothers? Does that ever get brought up?

BRENDA FRESE: You know I think in the recruiting process, absolutely. Whenever I find I'm recruiting a young player and they're a twin, absolutely. I know for Yarden when I was getting to know her early through the transfer portal we were able to bond over the fact that she was a twin and having twins myself.

I love it. Obviously I can relate to that bond and what we go through as a family and how close my twins are. So it's a really cool thing when you come across it.

Q. Now that you got 30 games into the season or so, Oluchi, what did you see as her impact throughout the course of this season?

BRENDA FRESE: Well, it's been massive. You saw yesterday she was named honorable mention All-American. What I love, the best of the best, they athletes we've had come through Maryland they want to shoulder that responsibility.

I think that's been the coolest thing for Oluchi. We knew she was going to come in with a high motor and was going to be able to defend.

Seeing her want to shoulder that load on the offensive end, the responsibility, whether it be score, trying to get other teammates involved in the offense, and obviously she excels in our transition game.

So massive impact that she's had in our program.

Q. Yarden obviously has roots in Israel. Have you and the team supported her in any way or does that get talked about in the locker room?

BRENDA FRESE: Of course. I mean, we're a family. I think for us it's always a check in. Just to make sure she's in a good place, how her family is doing back in Israel. Over team we speak they're safe and secure.

Yeah, it's more than just basketball for us. Obviously there being -- she's been impacted and her family as well. So it's just continuing to make sure that they're in the best possible position they can be.

Q. I asked Oluchi this question. Could apply to you as well. Coming back here to Carmichael, any memories you've had --

BRENDA FRESE: Oh --

Q. -- of your numerous visits here?

BRENDA FRESE: Yeah, so many. So many. A lot of great wins. You start with the national championship game, right, in the Final Four and beating North Carolina there. Coming back here into Carmichael, overtime win, Ashleigh Newman hits a shot for us to win in that 2006 year.

Alyssa Thomas making a game winner. Of course you have to be able to bring up Sylvia Hatchell. I remember her chasing an official off the court one time at halftime and her great personality that Sylvia had. A lot of fond memories.

You talk about just so many great battle thanks both Maryland and North Carolina had over the years in ACC play.