Maryland Men’s Basketball Drops To No. 17 In AP Poll

The Maryland men’s basketball team fell from No. 12 to No. 17 in the Associated Press poll released Jan. 13 after a 1-1 week that included a blowout loss at Iowa.

Gonzaga (18-1) remains No. 1, and the Bulldogs are followed by Baylor (13-1), Duke (15-1), Auburn (15-0) and Butler (15-1). Michigan State (No. 15) is the highest-rated Big Ten team in the poll.

Maryland defeated Ohio State, 67-55, Jan. 7. Senior guard Anthony Cowan Jr. had 20 points, including 15 in the second half, while sophomore center Jalen Smith and junior guard Darryl Morsell had 11 and 10 points, respectively. But Maryland’s defense was the star of the show; the Terps held the Buckeyes to 21-of-67 shooting and 5-for-27 from long range.

But Maryland was unable to keep it going on the road, as the Terps fell, 67-49, at Iowa Jan. 10. Maryland was ahead 15-10 early but fell apart from there. The Terps were 4-for-22 from 3-point range, committed 17 turnovers, got outrebounded by 12 and were beaten by Iowa’s stars. Sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp had 26 points, while junior center Luka Garza had 21.

Next, the Terps visit Wisconsin Jan. 14 and host Purdue Jan. 18. Neither team is ranked, but both squads will present issues for Maryland. The Badgers are led by junior forward Nate Reuvers (13.7 points per game) and sophomore guard Kobe King (10.9), while four Boilermakers are averaging in double figures, including sophomore forward Trevion Williams (11.4).

Purdue ranks seventh in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

PressBox

For more from PressBox, read the latest news here.