Indiana women’s basketball (17-2, 8-1 Big Ten) was ranked in the AP Poll Top-10 for the first time since the preseason on Monday, following a 100-59 rout over Northwestern on Sunday afternoon. That will set up a top-10 Big Ten showdown with No. 8 Ohio State next Sunday which will have major implications as both teams are involved in a three-way tie atop the conference.
However, the Hoosiers must first take care of business against Maryland (12-8, 4-5 Big Ten) on Wednesday night.
“We have a big week coming up going over to Maryland and certainly going to Ohio State,” Indiana head coach Teri Moren said following the win over Northwestern on Jan. 28.
While Maryland has struggled in conference play thus far, the Terrapins reached the Elite Eight last season and hold a 9-1 record on their home court. Led by junior guard Shyanne Sellers, Maryland has been a difficult matchup when playing at the XFINITY Center, as only Ohio State has come away from College Park with a win this season. Sellers has been a crucial part of defending Maryland’s homecourt, leading the team in points, assists, rebounds and blocks this year.
Additionally, Indiana has struggled in road trips to the East Coast this season. In a Nov. 30 matchup with the University of Maine, the Hoosiers trailed 37-29 going into the half before clawing back to a 67-59 win in the fourth quarter. Indiana had another slow start in the Dec. 9 conference opener with Rutgers, when the Hoosiers put up a minuscule 9 points in the first quarter. Indiana went on to win 66-56, but it was a tight contest until the final buzzer against the Scarlet Knights, a team that is 0-9 in Big Ten play.
While the sample size is relatively small, offensive struggles have been synonymous with the Hoosiers' trips out east. Indiana will hope to end that trend against Maryland, in what appears to be a well-timed matchup for the Hoosiers.
The Terrapins are looking to bounce back from a 112-76 blowout loss to Penn State, while Indiana is fresh off a triple-digit performance against Northwestern. Six Indiana players reached double-digit scoring against the Wildcats. Sophomore forward Lilly Meister scored 13 and freshman guard Lenee Beaumont netted 11 points, both career highs. Graduate student forward Mackenize Holmes had yet another big night, leading the team with a game-high 27 points
Indiana will once again be without senior guard and starter Sydney Parrish, who has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering a foot injury during practice on Jan. 19.
“We’re still sort of evaluating how that looks for us,” Moren said regarding playing without Parrish. “I think as we go on with Wednesday, we’re going to start figuring some things out as far as rotations.”
The Hoosiers will have a prime opportunity to capitalize on Maryland’s recent defensive difficulties and continue managing the game plan without Parrish on the floor.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday night and the game will be broadcast on Peacock.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa), columnist Ryan Canfield (@_ryancanfield) and photographer Olivia Bianco (@theoliviabianco) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
