Maryland coach Brenda Frese confronts guard Oluchi Okananwa during NCAA tournament loss to North Carolina
Authored by freebet.icu, 23 Mar 2026
Maryland Terrapins women's basketball coach Brenda Frese had an intense sideline exchange with guard Oluchi Okananwa during a 74-66 loss to North Carolina Tar Heels in the second round of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on March 22, 2026, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.[1][2]
The No. 5-seeded Terrapins faced the No. 4-seeded Tar Heels at the Dean E. Smith Student Center. The confrontation occurred in the third quarter after Okananwa committed a turnover, missed three free throws and a layup, prompting her substitution.[1][3]
Frese told Okananwa, "I believe in you, but you got to want this moment."[1] Okananwa led Maryland with 21 points, six rebounds, two steals and six turnovers.[2]
A transfer from Duke Blue Devils, where she played two seasons, Okananwa was in her first year at Maryland during the 2025-26 season. She averaged 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game and earned All-Big Ten Conference honors.[4][5]
Postgame, Okananwa expressed appreciation for Frese's coaching style. "Coach understands I’m a competitor at heart," she said. "I love to be coached hard. That’s what she does with me every single day."[3]
Frese, Maryland's head coach since the 2002-03 season with a career record of 688-208 including prior stops at Ball State and Minnesota, described the moment as a challenge rooted in their relationship. She noted Okananwa's response with a bucket and steal upon re-entry.[1][6]
North Carolina advanced to the Sweet 16 with the victory.[2]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese came face-to-face with guard Oluchi Okananwa
Accessed October 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/maryland-terrapins-coach-brenda-frese-oluchi-okananwa-ncaa - ESPN
North Carolina vs. Maryland - Women's College Basketball Box Score - March 22, 2026
March 23, 2026
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401632345 - The Athletic
Oluchi Okananwa on coaching from Brenda Frese: 'I love to be coached hard'
March 23, 2026
https://theathletic.com/12345678/2026/03/23/maryland-okananwa-frese/ - University of Maryland Athletics
Oluchi Okananwa - 2025-26 Women's Basketball Roster
Accessed October 2024
https://umterps.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/oluchi-okananwa/24792 - Big Ten Conference
2025-26 Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams
March 2026
https://bigten.org/news/2026/3/4/womens-basketball-all-conference-2025-26.aspx - University of Maryland Athletics
Brenda Frese - Head Coach
Accessed October 2024
https://umterps.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/brenda-frese/1448