Honestly, if you’re trying to keep track of the women’s terps basketball schedule, you’ve probably realized by now that the Big Ten isn’t the regional conference it used to be. It’s a coast-to-coast marathon. We aren't just talking about a quick bus ride to Jersey anymore. This year, Brenda Frese has her squad flying across three time zones just to keep their conference record alive.
Maryland entered the 2025-26 season ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll, and for good reason. They’ve got a roster that looks like a "best of" compilation from the transfer portal, mixed with some serious homegrown grit. But the schedule? It’s a gauntlet.
Why the January Stretch is Basically a Pro Schedule
Look at the travel logs. On January 15, the Terps were in Los Angeles grinding out a win against USC. Then, just three days later, they’re at Pauley Pavilion to face UCLA. That’s a lot of miles on the legs before heading back to the East Coast.
The women’s terps basketball schedule doesn't let up when they land back in College Park, either. They’ve got a three-game home stand to close out January that will probably decide if they’re hosting games in March or traveling.
- Jan 18: at UCLA (Pauley Pavilion) – 4:00 PM ET
- Jan 22: vs. Iowa (XFINITY Center) – 6:00 PM ET
- Jan 28: vs. Washington (XFINITY Center) – 7:00 PM ET
- Jan 31: vs. Oregon (XFINITY Center) – 5:00 PM ET
It’s kind of wild to see Oregon and Washington as "home conference games" in Maryland, but that’s the reality of 2026. The Iowa game on January 22 is the one everyone has circled. Even without some of the names from years past, that rivalry has a weird way of turning the XFINITY Center into a pressure cooker.
Making Sense of the Big Ten Gauntlet
The thing most people miss about the women’s terps basketball schedule is the "double opponent" rule. In a conference this big, you don't play everyone twice. This year, the Terrapins only have one team they play home-and-away: Ohio State.
That’s a break and a curse. Ohio State is fast. They press. If you’re Brenda Frese, you’re preparing for that style of play twice while everyone else only sees it once.
Key Matchups in February
If they survive January, February is all about the road. They start with a trip to East Lansing on February 4 to face Michigan State, followed by a Saturday afternoon clash in Lincoln against Nebraska on February 7.
Nebraska is never an easy out. The crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena is loud, and if the Terps are fatigued from the January travel, that’s where the cracks might show.
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- Feb 12: vs. Penn State (College Park)
- Feb 15: at Ohio State (Columbus)
- Feb 22: vs. Purdue (College Park)
- Feb 25: vs. Northwestern (College Park)
- Feb 28: at Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Closing the regular season in Ann Arbor is always a bit of a toss-up. Michigan plays a physical brand of ball that can be exhausting at the end of a long season.
Who is Actually Carrying the Load?
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about who’s playing. Kaylene Smikle is the engine. She’s averaging nearly 18 points a game and has this uncanny ability to draw fouls when the offense gets stagnant.
But keep an eye on the newcomers. Yarden Garzon, the transfer from Indiana, has been a massive addition. She knows the Big Ten inside and out. Then you have Oluchi Okananwa coming over from Duke—she brings an ACC defensive intensity that honestly feels a bit different than what the Big Ten is used to.
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Brenda Frese is in her 24th season. She’s seen it all. But even she admitted this year's travel is "different." You’ve got to manage minutes. You’ve got to make sure Saylor Poffenbarger and Bri McDaniel aren't burnt out by the time the Big Ten Tournament starts in March.
How to Actually Watch the Games
This is where it gets annoying. You can’t just turn on one channel and expect to find every game. The media deal is fragmented.
Most of the national stuff is on FOX or FS1, but a huge chunk of the women’s terps basketball schedule lives on B1G+. If you’re a die-hard, you basically have to pay the subscription fee or find a friend with a login. Some of the big West Coast matchups have been sliding over to Peacock, too.
It’s a bit of a mess for the casual fan. But for those of us who grew up watching Maryland basketball, it’s just part of the tax you pay to see a top-15 program.
Actionable Steps for Terps Fans
If you’re planning on following the rest of the season, don't just wing it. The XFINITY Center is a great venue, but Big Ten games sell out faster than the non-conference cupcakes.
- Check the weekday tip-off times: A lot of these games are 6:00 PM starts, which is a nightmare for anyone commuting from D.C. or Baltimore.
- Verify the platform: Double-check if the game is on Big Ten Network or B1G+. They are not the same thing, and there's nothing worse than sitting down with a beer only to realize you don't have the right app.
- Monitor the injury report: With this much travel, "load management" is starting to creep into the college game. Watch for news on Saylor Poffenbarger’s minutes if the Terps have a short turnaround.
The road to the NCAA Tournament is clear, but it’s definitely not paved. This schedule is designed to test depth. If the Terps can finish the February road swing with only one or two losses, they are looking at a top-three seed come March. Keep your eyes on that January 22nd game against Iowa; that's the real barometer for where this team is headed.