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
- 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
- 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
- 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/
- University of Maryland Athletics, "Brenda Frese - Head Coach", accessed October 2024, https://umterps.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/brenda-frese/1348
- University of Maryland Athletics, "Oluchi Okananwa - Guard", accessed October 2024, https://umterps.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/oluchi-okananwa/24857
