Preview: Maryland Terrapins at North Carolina Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — A marquee second-round matchup in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament is set for Sunday when the seventh-seeded Maryland Terrapins visit the fourth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels.

The game, scheduled for March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena, features two powerhouse programs with a combined 51 wins this season. North Carolina (27-7) earned the right to host after a dominant 82-51 victory over Western Illinois on Friday. Maryland (24-8) arrives following an equally impressive 99-67 rout of Murray State.

Both teams are led by dynamic guards. Maryland’s Mir McLean is coming off a stellar performance, scoring 19 points in 30 minutes against Murray State. The Terrapins, however, have shown inconsistency, sandwiching that win between a loss to Oregon and a late-February defeat at Michigan.

North Carolina counters with Indya Nivar, a versatile playmaker who tallied 11 points, five assists and two blocks in the first round. The Tar Heels have been formidable at home, with their last loss in Chapel Hill coming against Louisville on March 7.

Recent history suggests a tightly contested game. Maryland’s season has been marked by high-scoring victories but also narrow defeats, including a double-overtime loss to Washington in January. The Terrapins’ offense, which saw three players score 18 or more points on Friday, will be tested by a stout North Carolina defense that has held four of its last ten opponents under 60 points.

North Carolina’s path included an overtime win at Virginia Tech and a key victory over Duke, showcasing their resilience in conference play. Their offense runs efficiently through Nivar, who facilitates for scorers like Nyla Harris (17 points vs. Western Illinois).

The winner will advance to the Sweet 16. Tip-off is set for approximately 7 p.m. EDT, with television coverage on ESPN.