Honestly, walking into the XFINITY Center when the bass is thumping and the "Maryland Pride" flags are waving is a vibe you just can't replicate on a TV screen. If you're looking for the university of maryland women's basketball schedule, you probably already know that Brenda Frese has this program back in the national title conversation. We aren't just talking about a rebuilding year; we’re talking about a No. 10 preseason ranking and a roster that looks like a video game cheat code.
The Big Ten is different now. It’s huge. It’s coast-to-coast. Keeping track of who is playing where and when is kinda becoming a full-time job for Terps fans.
The Gauntlet: Breaking Down the January and February Grind
The schedule this year is basically a marathon through a minefield. Because the conference expanded to 18 teams, the travel is wild. Maryland is currently in the thick of it. Today is January 18, 2026, and as we speak, the Terps are out in Los Angeles taking on UCLA at the Pauley Pavilion. That’s a 4:00 PM EST tip-off. If you’re a Maryland fan, you’ve probably realized by now that "conference play" now involves cross-country flights that would make a Delta pilot tired.
But the real magic happens when they come back to College Park.
Upcoming Home Games at the XFINITY Center
If you want to see them in person, the end of January is your best bet. We’ve got a three-game homestand coming up that will likely decide where the Terps seed for the Big Ten Tournament.
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- January 22 (Thursday): Iowa Hawkeyes visit at 6:00 PM. Even without Caitlin Clark, Iowa is a problem. The atmosphere for this one will be electric.
- January 28 (Wednesday): Washington Huskies make the long trip east for a 7:00 PM tip.
- January 31 (Saturday): Oregon Ducks at 5:00 PM. Saturday afternoon hoops in College Park? Hard to beat.
February doesn't get any easier. They hit the road for Michigan State (Feb 4) and Nebraska (Feb 7) before returning home for Penn State on February 12.
Why This Roster Is Turning Heads
You can’t talk about the university of maryland women's basketball schedule without talking about who is actually playing. Brenda Frese hit the transfer portal like a pro.
Yarden Garzon, the transfer from Indiana, is basically a Swiss Army knife. She’s 6'3" and can play anything from shooting guard to center. She already faced her old team on January 4, and let’s just say it was an "anticipated" matchup. Then you’ve got Oluchi Okananwa, the Duke transfer who was the ACC Tournament MVP. She brings a level of defensive grit that the Terps desperately needed after last season’s injury woes.
Speaking of injuries, everyone is watching Bri McDaniel. She’s recovering from an ACL tear from last January. She’s ahead of schedule, which is massive because when she’s 100%, she is the best on-ball defender in the conference. Period.
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The Freshman Factor
It’s not just the vets. Frese brought in five freshmen, and three of them are international. Lea Bartelme from Slovenia is already running the point like she’s been in the Big Ten for years. Then there’s Addi Mack, who scored over 4,600 points in high school. She’s a bucket. If you haven't seen her play yet, you're missing out on a future WNBA first-rounder.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Season
People see the "10" next to their name and assume it's business as usual. It’s not. This is one of the deepest teams Maryland has had in a decade. Last year, injuries forced them to play a short rotation, which gassed them out by the time the tournament rolled around. This year? They have 15 players on the roster who can actually contribute.
The schedule reflects that confidence. They aren't dodging anyone. They already played NC State and Kentucky earlier in the season. They’re battle-tested.
The Road to Indianapolis
Everything on the university of maryland women's basketball schedule is leading to one place: the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Big Ten Tournament runs from March 4 to March 8, 2026.
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The goal is a top-four seed to get that double-bye. With USC and UCLA now in the mix, the math is harder, but the Terps were picked to finish second in the Big Ten for a reason. They have the size, they have the shooting (Garzon is hitting over 40% from deep), and they have the home-court advantage at XFINITY that few teams can handle.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to follow the rest of the season, here is how to handle it:
- Check the "Big Ten Plus" app: A lot of these midweek games, like the Washington game on Jan 28, end up on streaming rather than the main Big Ten Network. Don't get caught scrambling for a login five minutes before tip-off.
- Buy tickets early for the Iowa game: Even in 2026, the "Iowa effect" is real. The lower bowl at XFINITY sells out fast for the Hawkeyes.
- Watch the bench: Keep an eye on Marya Boiko, the 6'4" freshman from Belarus. She’s the "name nobody knows" right now, but her production in limited minutes has been massive.
The schedule is grueling, but that’s the Big Ten life now. If the Terps can stay healthy—which Frese says is their "biggest opponent"—they aren't just a Sweet 16 team. They’re a Final Four threat.
Next Steps for You:
Check the official UMTerps website for any last-minute time changes, especially for the February road games, as TV networks often flex those slots 7–10 days in advance.