UNC Women’s Basketball vs. Maryland: How to Watch

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: Indya Nivar #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels blocks a shot attempt by Addi Brownfield #13 of the Western Illinois Leathernecks during a first round game of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Carmichael Arena on March 20, 2026 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images After cruising to an easy win on Friday against Western Illinois, Courtney Banghart and the UNC Tar Heels women’s basketball team face a huge mountain today when they open up the women’s NCAA Tournament action today against fifth seed Maryland. While the Terrapins have been out of the ACC for a while, they still have a familiar face behind the bench—Brenda Frese.

Since Maryland has moved over to the Big Ten they’ve continued their track record of consistent success—this is their 16th straight NCAA Tournament appearance. There was a strong thought out there that it would be this team, not Carolina, that got the last hosting opportunity this season. That undercurrent that Maryland will feel disrespected for their regular season and this game should be in College Park will be hanging in the air as these two old rivals reconnect for the first time since 2014.

Maryland’s first game on Friday saw Murray State hang with the Terps for three quarters—to the point that an and one at the end of the third had the Racers in breathing distance. Maryland then opened up a can in the fourth and ended up winning 99-67. The win broke a two game losing streak for Maryland as they were blown out by Michigan in the regular season finale then lost their first game of the Big Ten Tournament to Oregon.

The explosive ability of this Terrapins team is something to look out for, especially for a team as reliant on the three-ball as the Tar Heels are. There’s also a more familiar old foe the Tar Heels will have to worry about against Maryland: Oluchi Okanawa. Carolina last saw her in the 47-38 NCAA Tournament defeat last year when she scored 12 points, and had 12 boards.