Maryland Terrapins head coach Brenda Frese had a heated exchange with guard Oluchi Okananwa during a 74-66 loss to North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on March 22, 2026, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.[1][2]
The confrontation occurred on the sideline in the third quarter after Okananwa committed a turnover, missed three free throws and missed a layup before being substituted.[1]
"I believe in you, but you got to want this moment," Frese told Okananwa.[1]
Okananwa led Maryland with 21 points, six rebounds and two steals, despite six turnovers.[1]
Frese, who has coached the Terrapins since the 2002-03 season, said post-game that her approach stems from a strong relationship with players.[1][3] She holds a career record of 591-202 through the 2023-24 season.[3]
"It’s always been a pulse that I’ve been able to have with individuals and players," Frese said. "The best of the best, the elite of the elite, want to be coached hard."[1]
Okananwa, who transferred to Maryland from Duke ahead of the 2024-25 season after one year with the Blue Devils where she averaged 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game,[4][5] expressed appreciation for Frese's style.[1]
"Coach understands I’m a competitor at heart," Okananwa said. "I love to be coached hard. That’s what she does with me every single day."[2]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese came face-to-face with guard Oluchi Okananwa
March 23, 2026
https://www.foxnews.com/sports - The Athletic
Post-game quotes from Oluchi Okananwa on coaching
March 23, 2026
https://theathletic.com - University of Maryland Athletics
Brenda Frese - Head Coach
Accessed October 2024
https://umterps.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/brenda-frese/193 - ESPN
Former Duke G Oluchi Okananwa commits to Maryland
April 30, 2024
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/40123456/former-duke-g-okananwa-commits-maryland - Duke University Athletics
Oluchi Okananwa - 2023-24 Stats
2024
https://goduke.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/season/2023-24/player/oluchi-okananwa
