When we talked to Maryland guard Diamond Miller before the season, she gave a humble smile to express her confidence about her sophomore year.
.@TerpsWBB guard Diamond Miller was one of the first guests on #PROTECTOURQUEENS back in August.
Listen to how she described her confidence level coming into her sophomore year.
She knew this would be a breakout season for her. pic.twitter.com/crexHZOydM
— Martin S. (@marsoaries) March 30, 2021
Diamond set the tone right away, setting a new career-high with 20 points in the season opener against Davidson. She set a new career-high on December 3 when she dropped 28 against Towson.
Diamond ended up doubling all of her season averages across the board, reaching 17 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field.
She was named Co-MVP of the Big Ten Tournament helping lead Maryland to a conference title and was named All-Big Ten First Team.
Shining on the biggest stage in one of the standout games of a historic NCAA Tournament, Diamond finished with 21 points and seven rebounds in the 64-61 loss to Texas in the Sweet 16.
Basketball Twitter quickly became fond of her during that game.
Diamond Miller with the block and Angel Reese with the added hype.
All of this energy, please. pic.twitter.com/Ixqe2Urg4i
— Wes Brown (@W_Brown21) March 29, 2021
Diamond Miller. Omg.
— Lexie Brown (@lexiekiah_4) March 29, 2021
Wait wait Diamond Miller is NICE like that??? I haven’t watched much Maryland this year
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) March 29, 2021
DIAMOND MILLER IS A #WNBA PLAYER ALREADY. #NCAAW
— Women’s Hoopz (@WomensHoopz) March 29, 2021
Diamond told us she expected more for herself this season simply because she knew what to expect.
She felt that Maryland was ready to make a run last year before the season was cut short.
Another super sophomore whose season was cut short this year was South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston. The Gamecocks fell short against Arizona in the Final Four.
Diamond admitted that Boston was one of the toughest players she had to guard during her freshman year, along with Northwestern guard Lindsey Pulliam.
Maryland finished with a 26-3 overall record with an undefeated 10-0 record at home and a 17-1 record in the Big Ten.
They’re projected to be just as dominant next season, many believing them to be a national title favorite.
More MASSIVE news for Maryland.
Benzan and Bibby were fixtures in the lineup. Styles came on late. Lewis should be back from injury.
This group, alongside the core of Ashley Owusu, Diamond Miller, Angel Reese (feat. Mimi Collins, Faith Masonius) is running it back.
Buckle up. https://t.co/7aCuoxht8c
— Thomas Kendziora (@TKendziora37) April 3, 2021
Miller at the heart of this Terrapins core will keep them elite and formidable for the back half of her college career.
The more she learns what to expect, it seems the more damage she’s going to do.