The top team in the country looks to stay perfect and open at 20-0. The hosts can both halt a pivotal two-game slide and deliver a megaphoned statement win. No. 1 UCLA will be a colossal favorite against shorthanded Maryland on Sunday afternoon, but the Terrapins have the offense and the home-court edge to at least make this interesting.
How to watch No. 1 UCLA at No. 8 Maryland
This will be the Terps’ annual “blackout” game. Their black alternate jerseys are among college basketball’s cleanest and coolest. Junior guard Kaylene Smikle has been a reliable bucket this season, with career-best marks on 2s, 3s and turnovers per game. But her backcourt running mate, Maryland’s second option Shyanne Sellers, hurt her knee during the team’s loss to Texas. They took an L without her last outing, 74-66, against Ohio State.
It gets worse. Junior Bri McDaniel, the third-leading scorer, tore her ACL against Minnesota on Jan. 14. Brenda Frese’s side will look to simplify the game and play to their strengths: getting to the line, grabbing rebounds and setting the tempo.
UCLA, of course, doesn’t let teams get comfortable. These Bruins are a wagon. They shoot 49.3 percent and hold opponents at 33.1. What?! Center Lauren Betts has been wholly dominant, averaging a 20-point,…