COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The Maryland women's basketball team is ranked No. 10 nationally in the Associated Press preseason poll, released Tuesday.

The Terps have opened the season ranked in the AP poll the last 16 years straight, dating back to 2010. This is the Terps' highest preseason ranking since they were ranked No. 4 to start the 2021-22 season. Maryland was ranked No. 18 to open the season last year.

Maryland will play six teams ranked in the AP preseason poll - No. 3 UCLA, No. 13 Michigan, No. 18 USC, No. 21 Iowa, No. 23 Michigan State and No. 24 Kentucky. The Terps will also play six teams receiving votes in Washington, Ohio State, Princeton, Minnesota, Illinois and Nebraska.

The Terrapins were predicted to finish No. 2 in the Big Ten, behind just UCLA. Seniors Yarden Garzon and Kaylene Smikle were named to the 10-player All-Big Ten Preseason Team.
 
Maryland returns All-Big Ten honorees Smikle, Bri McDaniel and starter Saylor Poffenbarger. 

Head coach Brenda Frese and her staff signed two transfers in All-Big Ten honoree Yarden Garzon (Indiana) and 2025 ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Player Oluchi Okananwa (Duke). The Terrapins also welcome freshmen Lea Bartelme, Addi Mack, Rainey Welson, Nicole Fritea and Marya Boiko to the roster.