When the No. 20 Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball team steps onto the court at the Schottenstein Center this Sunday, February 15, 2026, they’ll be facing a familiar foe and a dramatically different set of circumstances than just five weeks ago. Back on January 11, the then-No. 8 ranked Terrapins hosted the then-No. 19 Ohio State Buckeyes in College Park. That day, Maryland looked poised to defend their home court, jumping out to a 12-point lead in the first quarter. But the Buckeyes, under head coach Kevin McGuff, stormed back with relentless energy, ultimately securing an impressive 89-76 win and flipping the narrative on the Big Ten rivalry.
Fast forward to today, and the rankings have reversed: Ohio State sits at No. 8 while Maryland has dropped to No. 20. The Terrapins, led by head coach Brenda Frese, arrive in Columbus for their second-to-last road game of the regular season, eager to avenge their January defeat and build on recent momentum. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on FS1 and streaming on the FOX Sports App.
What’s changed since that pivotal January clash? For the Buckeyes, the victory in College Park was a launching pad. They rattled off seven wins in their next eight games, their only stumble coming in a lopsided loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. The team’s resilience and depth have been on full display, with standout performances across the roster. Meanwhile, Maryland’s journey has been rockier. After bouncing back to defeat the USC Trojans, the Terrapins hit a four-game skid, falling to the UCLA Bruins, Iowa Hawkeyes, and suffering tough home losses to the Washington Huskies and Oregon Ducks.
But don’t count Maryland out just yet. The Terps have found their stride at a crucial time, entering Columbus on a three-game winning streak. They’ve not only won, but dominated—outscoring opponents by an average of 17.6 points, including a 19-point rout of the Penn State Nittany Lions at home. Wins at Nebraska and Michigan have further boosted their confidence. The charge has been led by guard Oluchi Okananwa, who’s averaged 17.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 steals per game during this hot streak. Senior guards Saylor Poffenbarger and Yarden Garzon have also stepped up, with Poffenbarger nearly averaging a double-double (10.3 points, 9.3 rebounds) and Garzon pouring in 15.3 points per game.
Coach Frese’s squad still brings the same core strengths they had in January: size at the guard positions, speed in transition, and a relentless approach on the boards. Maryland is second in the Big Ten in rebounding, averaging 42.5 per game—just a hair behind the conference-leading UCLA Bruins. That’s no small feat, especially without a towering center like UCLA’s Lauren Betts. In their last meeting, Ohio State managed to match Maryland on the glass, each team pulling down 39 rebounds. But the Buckeyes will be without a fully healthy Kylee Kitts this time around, and that could tip the balance.
Kitts, the redshirt forward, was a difference-maker in the January 11 win, grabbing eight rebounds and scoring 18 points, including a stellar 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. However, she injured her shoulder in a January 19 win over TCU, missing five conference games. Her return against Oregon last week was tentative—eight minutes off the bench, four fouls, and a team-high six turnovers. The week off has given Kitts much-needed practice time, but whether she’s back to full game speed remains to be seen. If she’s limited again, Ohio State’s smaller guard lineup will need to play nearly flawless basketball to keep pace with Maryland’s size and rebounding prowess.
“Kylee’s presence on the boards and her ability to stretch the floor were huge for us in College Park,” said Coach McGuff in a recent press conference. “We’re hopeful she can give us quality minutes, but everyone’s got to step up.”
The projected starting five for Ohio State features Jaloni Cambridge, Chance Gray, Kennedy Cambridge, Ava Watson, and Finnish center Elsa Lemmilä. For Maryland, expect Oluchi Okananwa, Addi Mack, Yarden Garzon, Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu, and Saylor Poffenbarger to take the floor. Okananwa, in particular, is a player to watch. Foul trouble limited her to 30 minutes in the January matchup, but she’s been on a tear lately. Limiting her penetration and three-point shooting—Garzon, notably, went 5-for-10 from deep against Ohio State—will be key for the Buckeyes.
“Ohio State’s guards are quick and disciplined, but we’ve got to use our size and push the tempo,” Coach Frese emphasized after Maryland’s recent win at Michigan. “Every possession will matter.”
For the Buckeyes, Elsa Lemmilä’s recent form inside gives them a potential edge. At 6-foot-6, the Finnish center has started to assert herself in the paint, and there’s a sense that Maryland may not have an answer for her length and touch around the rim. Jaloni Cambridge’s playmaking at the point guard spot has also been a difference-maker, and she’ll need to control the tempo and limit turnovers against Maryland’s aggressive defense.
Both teams know what’s at stake. With the Big Ten tournament looming and NCAA tournament seeding on the line, every win counts. Maryland is fighting to regain its early-season form, while Ohio State wants to prove their January win was no fluke. The Terrapins’ guard-heavy lineup may give them a rebounding edge, but if Kitts can contribute and Lemmilä continues her strong play, the Buckeyes have the tools to hold their own.
It’s hard to ignore the sense of déjà vu—Ohio State started slow in their first meeting before roaring back. Will they need another comeback, or can they control the game from the opening tip? Most predictions point to a close contest. According to LGHL, “Ohio State will start slowly against Maryland for a second time, but it will not mean a double-digit first quarter deficit. The Buckeyes will stay close to the Terps for four quarters. Point guard Jaloni Cambridge will be the difference but Elsa Lemmilä will have a bigger game to continue her recent stretch of strong performances inside. Nobody on the Terps roster will be able to completely stop the 6-foot-6 Finnish big.” Their score prediction? Ohio State edges Maryland 77-76.
Of course, predictions are just that—predictions. The only certainty is that fans tuning in at 2:00 p.m. ET are in for a treat. Two of the Big Ten’s best will battle it out in Columbus, with postseason implications hanging in the balance. Will Maryland’s resurgence continue, or will the Buckeyes defend their home court and solidify their top-10 status?
As tip-off approaches, anticipation is building. The stage is set for another chapter in this compelling rivalry—and as the action unfolds, every possession will count.