The Maryland men’s basketball team jumped from No. 15 to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll released Jan. 6 after defeating Indiana Jan. 4.

Gonzaga (16-1) remains the No. 1 team in the country, followed by Duke (No. 2), Kansas (No. 3), Baylor (No. 4) and Auburn (No. 5). Michigan (No. 8) and Ohio State (No. 11) are the top-rated Big Ten teams in the AP poll.

Maryland beat Indiana, 75-59, Jan. 4, improving to 12-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. The Terps played their best basketball of the season in the second half, going on a 35-8 run to turn a three-point lead into a blowout. Maryland held Indiana to 36.1 percent shooting and forced 14 Hoosiers turnovers. Four Terps scored in double figures, led by sophomore center Jalen Smith (19 points).

“It’s a step in the right direction,” head coach Mark Turgeon said after the game. “This is the best we’ve played in a while.”

Next, Maryland hosts Ohio State Jan. 7. The Buckeyes are 11-3 overall but have lost two straight games to West Virginia and Wisconsin. Ohio State is led by junior forward Kaleb Wesson, who averages 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. 

Then, the Terps play at Iowa Jan. 10. The Hawkeyes are one of the top offensive teams in the nation (No. 3 in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom). They’re led by junior center Luka Garza, who averages 22.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest.

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

PressBox

For more from PressBox, read the latest news here.