No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball vs. Hofstra preview

After a controlled victory over No. 16 Kentucky on Wednesday, No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball returns to the court for the second day in a row. The Terps celebrate Thanksgiving Day by taking on Hofstra in Puerto Rico.

Thursday’s game will tip off at 3 p.m. from Coliseo Guillermo Angulo and will stream on FloHoops.

Hofstra Pride (1-3, 0-0 CAA)

2024-25: 14-16, 9-9 CAA

Head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson is in her seventh season with Hofstra and has a combined 57-119 record. Last season was Hofstra’s best under Santos Atkinson. It finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak before falling to William & Mary in the CAA Tournament. 

Thursday is Hofstra’s first game in Puerto Rico. It will face East Carolina on Friday.

The Pride beat Yale on Nov. 11 and fell to Miami, Penn and Bucknell early in the season. Maryland is the highest-ranked opponent on Hofstra’s schedule. The Pride will also face No. 16 Kentucky on Dec. 28 in Lexington. 

Players to watch

Sandra Magolico, graduate forward, 6-foot-1, No. 13 – Magolico is in her first season with Hofstra after spending her undergraduate career at several schools. She started at New Mexico Junior College and then spent a season at Arizona State and SMU. She played in several games at those schools but never saw extensive playing time. Playing in three of Hofstra’s four games this season, she leads the team with 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. 

Alarice Gooden, senior point guard, 5-foot-7, No. 10 – Gooden is in her fourth year with Hofstra and has taken a massive step this season. After averaging less than four points per game in each of her first three years, Gooden is averaging 11.8 points per game through four games this year. She has shot 17-of-37 (45.9%) from the field and 6-of-14 (42.9%) from deep thus far. 

Micaela Carter, junior guard, 5-foot-6, No. 25 – Carter is in her third season with the Pride and has also taken a massive stride this season. After averaging three points per game last season, she has averaged 7.5 points so far. She has started all four games this season.

Strength

Rebounds. The Pride have been on the lower end of every stat through the first four games of the season compared to their opponents. But they have been relatively solid on the boards, grabbing 33.3 per game compared to their opponents grabbing 34.8 rebounds.

Weakness

Offense. So far this season, the Pride have struggled offensively, averaging 57.8 points per game. Opponents average 11.5 more points than the Pride while shooting 41% from the field and 28.8% from deep. Hofstra makes an average of 21.5 field goals, while its opponents make 24.3. Hofstra has also turned the ball over 19 times per game and has a 0.6 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Three things to watch

1. Undefeated Puerto Rico trip? The Terps won their first game in Puerto Rico and look to win again on Thursday to finish an undefeated Thanksgiving tournament slate. Last season, the Terps also swept their Thanksgiving tournament slate. Maryland has won every Thanksgiving week game since it lost to then-No. 23 Washington State in 2023.

2. Will Maryland extend its bench? On Wednesday, the Terps relied on their starters to carry them to victory over No. 16 Kentucky. Against a lesser opponent in Hofstra, Maryland will likely be able to utilize its depth in a greater capacity. 

3. Guard playing time questions. On Wednesday, Addi Mack played all 40 minutes at point guard after Kyndal Walker started the previous two games at that position. Walker did not see the court against Kentucky, but will likely get a chance against Hofstra.