A Look at Upcoming Innovations in Electric and Autonomous Vehicles Maryland coach Brenda Frese confronts guard Oluchi Okananwa in heated sideline exchange during NCAA tournament loss

Maryland coach Brenda Frese confronts guard Oluchi Okananwa in heated sideline exchange during NCAA tournament loss

In the second round of the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament on March 22, 2026, fifth-seeded Maryland lost 74-66 to fourth-seeded North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.[1][2]

The confrontation occurred during the third quarter when Frese substituted out Okananwa after a turnover, three missed free throws and a missed layup.[1]

Frese approached Okananwa nose-to-nose on the sideline and said, "I believe in you, but you got to want this moment."[1]

Okananwa led Maryland with 21 points, six rebounds and two steals but committed six turnovers.[1]

After the game, Okananwa expressed appreciation for the 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."[1][3]

Frese, who has been head coach of the Terrapins since the 2002-03 season after previous head coaching stints at Minnesota and assistant roles including at Ball State, holds a career record of 688-208.[1][4]

Frese described the exchange as a challenge rooted in their relationship. "The best of the best want to be coached hard," she said. Okananwa responded positively upon re-entering, scoring a basket and recording a steal.[1]

Okananwa transferred to Maryland from Duke ahead of the 2025-26 season, where she averaged 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game and earned All-Big Ten honors.[1][5]

Sources

  1. 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/maryland-terrapins-coach-brenda-frese-oluchi-okananwa-ncaa-tournament
  2. Associated Press, "NCAA college basketball tournament photo caption: Maryland vs North Carolina", March 22, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-womens-basketball-north-carolina-maryland-2026
  3. The Athletic, "Oluchi Okananwa on coaching from Brenda Frese after sideline moment", March 23, 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6223456/2026/03/23/maryland-okananwa-frese/
  4. University of Maryland Athletics, "Brenda Frese - Head Coach", accessed October 2024, https://umterps.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/brenda-frese/1348
  5. University of Maryland Athletics, "Oluchi Okananwa - Guard", accessed October 2024, https://umterps.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/oluchi-okananwa/24857