Maryland Men’s Basketball Remains No. 9 In Associated Press Poll

Following a 1-1 week, the Maryland men’s basketball team remains No. 9 in the Associated Press poll released March 2.

Kansas (26-3) remains No. 1, followed by Gonzaga (29-2), Dayton (27-2), Baylor (25-3) and San Diego State (28-1).

Maryland is the highest-ranked Big Ten team. The rankings also feature Michigan State (No. 16), Iowa (No. 18), Ohio State (No. 19), Penn State (No. 20), Illinois (No. 23), Wisconsin (No. 24) and Michigan (No. 25).

Eight Big Ten teams is a new conference record in a single week.

The Terps won, 74-73, at Minnesota Feb. 26 thanks to junior guard Darryl Morsell’s game-winning 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left. Maryland was down by as many as 17 in the first half and was down by 16 at halftime, as the Terps struggled with sophomore center Jalen Smith in foul trouble. Smith and sophomore wing Aaron Wiggins (16 points) both played well, particularly in the second half.

The Terps then lost, 78-66, to Michigan State Feb. 29. The Spartans scored 17 points on their first seven possessions in the first half, then scored on 8 of 9 possessions to open the second half. Michigan State’s lead got as big as 18 points in the second half. Smith (20 points, 12 rebounds), senior guard Anthony Cowan (13 points) and freshman forward Donta Scott (10 points) led the way for the Terps.

Next, Maryland travels to Rutgers for a battle with the Scarlet Knights March 3. Rutgers (18-11, 9-9) has lost three straight games, sit on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament and could use a win against the Terps to solidify its standing. The Scarlet Knights are led by sophomore guard Ron Harper Jr. (12.1 points, 5.7 rebounds) and junior guard Geo Baker (10.6 points, 3.5 assists).

Maryland finishes off the regular season by hosting Michigan March 8. The Wolverines (18-11, 9-9) are No. 15 on KenPom, a college hoops analytics site, and are safely in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan is led by senior guard Zavier Simpson (13 points, 7.9 assists) and junior wing Isaiah Livers (13 points, 3.8 rebounds).

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

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