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NCAA Basketball: Texas, Virginia soar on top 25 ranking ahead of Thanksgiving

By Joey Loose

Nov 20, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22) runs the lane against Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) in the second half at Spokane Arena. Gonzaga won 88-72. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22) runs the lane against Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) in the second half at Spokane Arena. Gonzaga won 88-72. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Maryland Terrapins guard Jahari Long Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Maryland Terrapins guard Jahari Long Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

25. Maryland (5-0)

Last year, Mark Turgeon stepped aside as Maryland sort of put things in neutral, struggling to another unimpressive finish. This year, the Terrapins swiped Kevin Willard from Seton Hall to lead the program and things have gone just about as well as possible early on. Willard was fantastic in twelve seasons with those Pirates and did his best to put together a talented Terrapins squad.

After two solid wins during the opening week, Maryland got a third victory with a 76-52 win against Binghamton, with Julian Reese’s 19-point effort leading the way. What solidified the Terrapins was a fantastic performance at the Hall of Fame Tip-Off. They beat Saint Louis 95-67 on Saturday, getting 25 points from star Donta Scott. Then on Sunday, they upended Miami 88-70, with 24 points this time from Scott in a second straight win over an impressive opponent.

It’s not just their 5-0 mark that’s gotten attention on Maryland, it’s the way they beat down a pair of teams on the fringe of the Top 25 this past weekend. The metrics love the Terrapins early on, with their defense looking solid early and their offense just phenomenal over the weekend. Scott is emerging as a real star and there’s significant talent around him on this team. What’s even better is that the Terrapins got their tournament out of the way, with nothing but a chill home date with Coppin State next week.

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