The Maryland Terrapins were destined to drop in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll this week after suffering their first loss of the season, but they didn’t lose a spot in the top 10.
Maryland is ranked No. 7 in the new poll released Monday, down three spots from a week ago after losing by seven points to Penn State on the road on Dec. 10.
That was the only game of the week for the Terrapins (10-1), who then took an eight-day break from competition for final exams. They return to the court Thursday at Seton Hall.
The Seton Hall game was going to be a big nonconference test for Maryland, as the Pirates were ranked No. 12 in the preseason poll. Since then, Seton Hall has gone 6-4, and this week, it fell out of the Top 25.
It is Kansas’ turn at No. 1 this week in the Associated Press poll. The Jayhawks (9-1) moved up one spot to become the fifth team to top the poll in an already wild season. It is the first time the AP poll has had five different No. 1s before New Year’s Day.
Kansas is followed by Gonzaga, Louisville, Duke and Ohio State.
Virginia (8-1) remained No. 9 in this week’s rankings. The Cavaliers also took a break for final exams and did not have a game last week. Up next, they’ll host Stony Brook on Wednesday and South Carolina on Sunday.
Other teams around Virginia and the District receiving votes outside the Top 25 included Liberty (25), Virginia Commonwealth (21), Georgetown (three), Richmond (three) and Virginia Tech (three).
Another blue blood — North Carolina — fell out of the Top 25 for the first time in nearly six years. The Tar Heels failed to crack 50 points in losses to both highly-ranked Ohio State and Virginia two weeks ago, then lost Sunday to Wofford in Chapel Hill with star freshman point guard Cole Anthony and fellow starter Leaky Black out with injuries.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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