Perennial Big Ten and SEC powers headline the 2018 Puerto Rico Clasico, with top 15-ranked Georgia and Maryland capping off the holiday week’s festivities. 

Maryland has appeared in 14 of the last 15 with coach Brenda Frese. Georgia’s streak of 20 consecutive appearances ended in 2015, but the Bulldogs are coming off a 26-7 finish that ended in the second round of last year’s tournament. Now fourth-year coach Joni Taylor may have the best team of her tenure. 

The Lady Bulldogs return preseason All-SEC selection Caliya Robinson to a lineup projected to finish fourth behind 2017 national champion South Carolina, 2017 and 2018 national runner-up Mississippi State, and blue-blood program Tennessee. 

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“Our expectation is set by the standard of Georgia basketball, not what anyone else says — no disrespect to any poll,” Taylor said at last month’s SEC media day, mentioning the program’s impressive and lengthy history that includes a 2001 national championship. “That’s why we’ve been able to achieve what they have. The young ladies we have on our team believe in Georgia basketball, and what was done before them.

“So far, it’s been the secret to our success,” she added. 

Whether in the ACC or Big Ten, the Terrapins have flourished for almost two decades under Frese. The program isn’t resting on its laurels, either. 

Before embarking on the Puerto Rico Clasico, Frese signed the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class for 2019. Maryland’s future looks as bright as its past, and that includes the immediate future of the 2018-19 campaign. 

The Terps returned Kaila Charles, Blair Watson, Stephanie Jones, and Brianna Fraser for this season, all key contributors to the 25-7 record in 2017-18. But it’s an influx of newcomers joining Maryland’s returning experience that makes this a team to watch. 

“We addressed a lot of the concerns we had last year,” Frese said of the new additions during Big Ten media week. “When you talk about this freshman class … they’re extremely talented. We have shooters, we have a point guard, we have size in 6-foot-5 Shakira Austin. 

“They’ve been a tremendous addition to the veteran leadership we already have,” Frese added. 

Indeed, Maryland’s leading scorer through its first four games is freshman Taylor Mikesell, a combo guard with an effective three-point touch and ability to distribute the ball to teammates. 

The Terrapins provide a measuring stick for Georgia’s outlook in the SEC championship race later this season — particularly given Maryland dominated South Carolina just days before the Puerto Rico Clasico. 

Before their showdown, Georgia and Maryland will both face MEAC representative Morgan State as part of the tournament’s round-robin format. The Bears are playing in their second tournament of the early season, coming off an 0-3 finish in the women’s NIT. 

DIV. I BRACKET 

GEORGIA 

Conference: Southeastern

Coach: Joni Taylor 

Names to Know: Caliya Robinson; Taja Cole; Kaila Hubbard; Maya Caldwell; Gabby Connally

Overview: After missing the 2017 NCAA Tournament, the Lady Bulldogs rebounded to win 26 games and reach the second round in 2018. Georgia’s corps of veteran talent shoulders the load in what could be a special season for the program. 

MARYLAND

Conference: Big Ten 

Coach: Brenda Frese 

Names to Know: Kaila Charles; Stephanie Jones; Taylor Mikesell; Shakira Austin; Blair Watson

Overview: Brenda Frese has established a culture of sustained success at Maryland, with national championship potential — as realized in 2006. The Terps have a lineup capable of a similar run in 2019, combining dynamic newcomers with veterans who played key roles for last year’s 25-win team. 

MORGAN STATE

Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic 

Coach: Edward Davis Jr. 

Names to Know: Adre’onia Coleman; Jihayah Chavis; Naomi Bolasingh 

Overview: Acclimating new contributors for leading roles is the theme at Morgan State in 2018-19. The Bears take on two of college basketball’s most storied program at the Puerto Rico Clasico while replacing the team’s top three scorers from a season ago. Adre’onia Coleman is Morgan State’s leading returner, putting up 9.3 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Bears in a 16-win 2017-18. 

DIV. II BRACKET

The Div. II bracket includes NCAA Div. II independents Universidad Puerto Rico-Bayamon and Universidad Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, and Universidad de Sagrado Corazon. 

AUGUSTANA 

Conference: Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference 

Coach: Dave Krauth 

Names to Know: Abby Hora, Shelby Selland, Lynsey Prosser, Janelle Shiffler 

Overview: Augustana earned a No. 1 seed in the 2018 NCAA Women’s Div. II Tournament, finishing the regular season at 28-3. The Vikings came into 2018-19 replacing their top three scorers — Logan and Pressley O’Farrell, and Paige Peterson — but are rolling into the Puerto Rico Clasico at 4-0. 

Four Vikings are averaging in double-figures scoring through the early part of the season. Augustana’s balance makes it a contender in the Div. II side of the Clasico. 

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

Conference: Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association 

Coach: Guy Hardaker 

Names to Know: Ireon Smith; Shatoya Bryson; Megan Hartness; Micayla Haynes; Blake Blessington

Overview: Despite losing three of last the top four scorers from last season’s 22-win team, the Central Oklahoma Broncos are running into the Puerto Rico Clasico off to a strong start. They won their first four games by an average margin of 22 points, giving coach Guy Hardaker the opportunity to play nine different players an average of at least 12 minutes per contest. 

NEW HAVEN 

Conference: Northeast 10 

Coach: Deborah Buff 

Names to Know: Alexandria Kerr; Brie Pergola; Katie Oge; Micah Wormack 

Overview: The Chargers endured a 12-14 finish in 2017-18, but the return of a veteran lineup offers the promise of a much-improved campaign ahead. New Haven descends on the Puerto Rico Clasico with its top five scorers from a season ago back, headlined by the backcourt duo of Alexandria Kerr and Brie Pergola. 

UPPER IOWA 

Conference: Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference 

Coach: Micha Thompson 

Names to Know: Casey Miles, Haley Martin, Natalie Dinius, Bekka Pierson 

Overview: Coach Micha Thompson arrived at Upper Iowa in 2016 from Utah State with a building project ahead of her. The Peacocks finished 2-27 in 2017-18, but come into the Puerto Rico Clasico already halfway to matching last year’s win total. 

MEN’S BRACKET 

ROGERS STATE

Conference: Heartland Conference

Coach: Justin Barkley 

Names to Know: Tavian Davis; Latrell Tidwell; Tate Turner; Saint Hilaire 

Overview: The Hillcats make the journey to the Puerto Rico Clasico for a pair of games against NCAA Div. II independents, UPR Bayamon, and UPR Rio Piedras. Rogers State finished 18-11 a season ago, and return a pair of leading contributors from that squad in Saint Hilaire and Tate Turner.

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Kyle Kensing is a freelance sports journalist in southern California. Follow him on Twitter @kensing45.