Maryland women’s basketball moves to No. 2 in AP Poll for first time in 10 years

The Maryland women’s basketball team is up to No. 2 in the latest Associated Press Poll, out Monday. This is the Terps’ highest ranking in over 10 years.

Maryland (25-1, 13-0 Big Ten) was No. 3 last week and overtook Baylor, who lost at home to Texas on Feb. 6. The Terps were No. 2 in Tuesday’s Coaches Poll, and double-digit wins over Illinois and Michigan State were enough.

The last time Maryland was ranked this high was on Jan. 8, 2007, when the then-defending champions were No. 1.

Of course, this ranking probably won’t change much regarding NCAA Tournament seedings. The selection committee has placed the Terps at No. 9 in both early rankings amid strength-of-schedule concerns. Maryland is No. 7 in Jeff Sagarin’s rankings, though Nos. 3-8 there are incredibly bunched up.

Brenda Frese’s team has three regular-season games remaining: Wednesday against Wisconsin, Feb. 20 at Ohio State and Feb. 26 against Minnesota.

Also, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough was named Big Ten Player of the Week by the conference Monday.

Walker-Kimbrough averaged 26.5 points per game in the Terps’ two wins last week, notching 29 Thursday against Illinois and 24 Sunday at Michigan State. She also totaled nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals in the two contests.

This is the senior’s first such honor this season and the third of her career. Teammate Brionna Jones has won the award twice this year, most recently on Jan. 23.

Both Jones and Walker-Kimbrough will have their jerseys honored in the rafters during Senior Day at the Minnesota game.