The Maryland men’s basketball team dropped from No. 13 to No. 15 in the latest Associated Press poll following a turbulent week that was capped off with a win against Bryant Dec. 29.
Gonzaga (13-1) remains No. 1 in the rankings. The Bulldogs are followed by Duke (No. 2), Kansas (No. 3), Oregon (No. 4) and Ohio State (No. 5). The Terps will host the Buckeyes Jan. 7.
On Dec. 27, Maryland announced twin centers Makhi and Makhel Mitchell entered the transfer portal. Questions remain about how the Terps shape up after the twins’ departure, but Maryland’s 84-70 win against Bryant might have provided a clue. Chol Marial, a 7-foot-2 South Sudanese center, made his season debut, tallying six points and five rebounds in 14 minutes. Marial has battled injuries in recent years but was once a five-star recruit.
Senior guard Anthony Cowan Jr. (19 points), sophomore wing Aaron Wiggins (15) and sophomore center Jalen Smith (11) led the way for the Terps against Bryant. Maryland restarts Big Ten play against Indiana Jan. 4.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics