Terps Women's Basketball Moves Up to No. 3 in the AP Poll
3/7/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 7, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After reaching the championship game of the ACC Tournament for the first time in 13 years, the Maryland women's basketball team was voted the No. 3 team in the nation in the latest Associated Press poll, which was released on Monday. The Terps moved up one spot, making it the fourth-consecutive week they have been rated in the top five.
Maryland, who is one victory short of the school record at 28-4, had to upset then-No. 2 Duke in the semifinals to reach the title game. The Terps eventually fell to No. 1 North Carolina, 91-80. It is Maryland's highest ranking since being ranked third on Jan. 12, 1993.
The Terps have been ranked in the top 15 all season, moving up to No. 10 on Nov. 21. Maryland broke into the top five on Feb. 13 after its stunning, overtime victory over No. 1 North Carolina, handing the Tar Heels its only loss of the season. The team remained at No. 4 for three weeks before moving up to No. 3 this week.
UNC received all 45 first-place votes, followed by Ohio State then the Terps. The Blue Devils dropped two spots to No. 4 and LSU fell to No. 5. Tennessee, who is one of just three teams this season that has been ranked No. 1 and has defeated the Terps this season, is No. 7, while Michigan State is No. 16. Both UT and MSU played Maryland at the Paradise Jam over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Four ACC foes are also receiving votes in this week's ranking, including Boston College, NC State, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Virginia.
Pairings and seedings for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Associated Press Top 25 Poll (3/6)
1. North Carolina (45) 2. Ohio State 3. MARYLAND 4. Duke 5. LSU 6. Rutgers 7. Tennessee 8. Oklahoma 9. Connecticut 10. Baylor 11. Stanford 12. Purdue 13. DePaul 14. Georgia 15. Arizona State 16. Michigan State 17. Louisiana Tech 18. Temple 19. Utah 20. BYU 21. New Mexico 22. Texas A&M 23. Minnesota 24. Bowling Green 25. VanderbiltOthers Receiving Votes: Florida 60, George Washington 54, UCLA 52, Kentucky 30, Tulsa 27, Boston College 20, N.C. State 19, St. John's 19, Chattanooga 16, Florida State 15, West. Kentucky 15, Indiana State 12, Wyoming 10, Missouri 6, Virginia Tech 6, Virginia 2
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