The Terps (13-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) won both of their games since last week's poll and benefited from previously top-ranked Michigan State's loss at Iowa; the Spartans fell to fifth, boosting the Terps back into the spot where they opened the season. They've won seven games in a row following their lone loss at North Carolina, all but one coming by double-digits, and sit behind only new No. 1 Kansas and second-ranked Oklahoma in the new poll. The Sooners and Jayhawks face off tonight, so Maryland would likely rise again next week if it wins at home Wednesday against Rutgers and Saturday at Wisconsin.
"We don't ever talk about our ranking because we know it's still early and none of that matters," Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said Monday morning on the Big Ten coaches teleconference. "We're not sure how good we are yet. We continue to improve. We know when we're dialed in and ready to play, we can play with anybody."
The only team in the Big Ten featuring five-double-digit scorers, Maryland has overwhelmed opponents with its offensive balance. But the Terps were disruptive defensively in ending Northwestern's first double-digit winning streak since the 1930-1931 season, forcing six turnovers in the opening six minutes to take an early stranglehold that was never challenged.
"Their defense really stood out to me. You know what they have offensively with their firepower," Northwestern coach Chris Collins said Monday. "But the level of defense they played against us was something maybe I hadn't seen on film ... I think Maryland on a given night can play with anybody in the country."
Maryland, also ranked No. 3 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, was ranked second for two weeks earlier this season before losing to the Tar Heels in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. This season marks the first time the Terps have been ranked top-five since their national championship season of 2001-2002.
The only team in the Big Ten featuring five-double-digit scorers, Maryland has overwhelmed opponents with its offensive balance. But the Terps were disruptive defensively in ending Northwestern's first double-digit winning streak since the 1930-1931 season, forcing six turnovers in the opening six minutes to take an early stranglehold that was never challenged.
"Their defense really stood out to me. You know what they have offensively with their firepower," Northwestern coach Chris Collins said Monday. "But the level of defense they played against us was something maybe I hadn't seen on film ... I think Maryland on a given night can play with anybody in the country."
Maryland, also ranked No. 3 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, was ranked second for two weeks earlier this season before losing to the Tar Heels in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. This season marks the first time the Terps have been ranked top-five since their national championship season of 2001-2002.
