CBSSports' New Power Rankings: Maryland at No. 2
Maryland has emerged as the No. 2 team in CBSSports' new power rankings released on Thursday. This might seem astonishing for a team that wasn't even in the national top 25. The reason behind this is simple - these rankings are based strictly on recent results. Kyle Boone from CBSSports explains: "Ranking teams with an emphasis on recent performance based on their level of competition. These are heavily unscientific in nature and can be distilled down to a 'vibes' ranking — with things like margin of victory, injuries, performance vs. top competition, momentum and other sometimes subjective factors weighing into the equation. The power rankings can be thought of in a weekly setting as a reaction — or sometimes even an overreaction — to the small sample of the week that was."Maryland has won five consecutive games after their lone loss to Marquette, with four of those wins by at least 24 points. They have steadily climbed to No. 19 on KenPom. The significant jump came after their thrashing of Ohio State on Wednesday. The final score was 83 - 59, but at halftime, the Terps led 50 - 17, marking the largest halftime lead in any Big Ten game since 1996 - 1997. This led coach Kevin Willard to make a surprising declaration about freshman star Derik Queen.Via Boone: "Maryland, the No. 2 team in scoring margin ahead of Tennessee, also gets a big bump up to No. 2 in this week's Power Rankings after being unranked a week ago. A loss in mid-November to Marquette at home cost it some early-season style points, but the Terrapins have rallied the last few weeks culminating with a stunning 83 - 59 smackdown of Ohio State on Wednesday night. At one point in the second half, they led by 40 points before Kevin Willard's club called off the dogs and cruised to a 24 - point win."If Maryland enters the AP Poll, it would end a drought for the program. They haven't been in the AP Poll since February 2023. Last year was a challenging start, and they never made it into the poll. The previous season, they climbed as high as No. 13 thanks to an 8 - 0 start in Willard's first year but fell out in December, and that February appearance was the only other time they were ranked.Boone wrote: "Vibes are very high in College Park right now for the Terps after thoroughly dismantling an Ohio State team on Wednesday that has the makings of an NCAA Tournament team. They've aced several tests this season already and are winning with an elite defense and a top - three freshman in Derik Queen."Before you go …— Not a VIP member? Save 50% on your annual subscription with this limited - time deal and stop missing out on the scoop!— Save $20 on your SeatGeek purchase of tickets to Maryland games or any major events with code “IMS” at checkout!— Get the latest Terps news delivered to your inbox FREE! Sign up for our email newsletter here and stay informed on Maryland basketball, football, recruiting and every other Terps storyline.— Support Maryland basketball’s recruiting and player - retention efforts by joining TurtleNIL!— Follow IMS on Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok and Instagram.— Don’t miss any of our new video Terps content: Subscribe to InsideMDSports on YouTube and hit the notification bell so you know when new videos drop.Early Ball Handling Troubles and Foul Trouble
The 'Hoos were initially hampered by ball handling issues. Dai Dai Ames picked up his second foul just before the 12 - minute mark of the first half. This limited their ball handling and allowed Florida to increase the pressure. Ron Sanchez acknowledged postgame that when Dai Dai got in foul trouble, it affected their offensive execution. "We're handling the point by committee, and when one of those guys is out, it makes it harder to execute our offense," he said. 2: Florida took advantage of the Cavaliers' ball handling problems and used their athleticism to make things uncomfortable on - ball. This early struggle set the tone for the game and affected the team's performance throughout.Live - Ball Turnovers and Second Half Struggles
Live - ball turnovers proved to be the downfall of the Cavaliers. This aspect, which has historically been a strength for UVA teams under Tony Bennett, failed them in this game. From bad passes to not being strong enough with the ball, it became a significant issue in the second half. The 'Hoos committed 15 total turnovers compared to forcing the Gators into just six. Florida was opportunistic and scored 20 points off these turnovers. Ron Sanchez was asked about the lack of ball security. "I'll definitely give Florida their credit. They have athleticism and length and are very physical defensively. Some of our turnovers were due to physical toughness and some were sloppy ball handling and poor screening," he said. 2: The Cavaliers struggled to keep the ball out of the paint, and Florida executed their offense at a high level. Sanchez concluded by saying, "We didn't keep the ball out of the paint, and they executed their offense at a high level. We did not respond in the second half. [I'm] definitely pleased with what we did in the first half, and I'm hoping that we can replicate it in the future as we continue to improve as a team."Florida's Interior Play and Rebounding Advantage
Florida's interior play was a major factor in the game. They used their size and physicality to seal off the middle of the lane and clear space to the rim. Alex Condon did an excellent job in this regard. Despite the eye - test suggesting a larger rebounding disparity, the 'Hoos actually out - rebounded the Gators 34 - 30 and pulled down two more offensive boards. However, Florida still had an advantage in the paint, scoring 38 points. Sanchez complimented the Gators' interior play, saying, "[Florida] is really big and they're physical, athletic, and strong on the interior. They seal you, and sometimes it's hard for young guys to match that physicality." 2: The Gators' length also played a role in clogging passing lanes, as they recorded nine steals as a team. This physicality and defensive pressure contributed to their success and made it difficult for the Cavaliers to mount a comeback in the second half.Witness the Clash of National Champions and Top-Ranked Teams
South Carolina Gamecocks: A Force to Be Reckoned With
Since losing their first game to then-No. 5 UCLA (77-62), the defending national champion Gamecocks have been on a roll. They have achieved two blowout wins, handling No. 15 Iowa State (76-36) by restricting the Cyclones to a mere 23.1 percent shooting. In their subsequent game at Colonial Life Arena, they outshot Purdue 87 to 53, winning 99-51. Seven players hit double figures in the last game against Purdue, with five coming off the bench. MiLaysia Fulwiley led the team with 14 points in just 17 minutes as a reserve. Their current record stands at 7-1, and they are ready to continue their winning streak.
The Gamecocks' offensive and defensive strategies have been on point, allowing them to dominate their opponents. Their ability to control the tempo of the game and make quick adjustments has been a key factor in their success. With a talented roster and a strong coaching staff, the South Carolina Gamecocks are a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court.
Duke Blue Devils: A Balanced Attack
Duke is on a six-game winning streak, which includes victories over then-No. 9 Kansas State (73-62) and No. 8 Oklahoma (109-99). Senior Reigan Richardson is leading the Blue Devils' balanced attack, averaging 15.0 points per game. Alongside her, Ashton Jackson is contributing 14.9 points per game and Toby Fournier is adding 11.9 points per game. The Blue Devils' ability to distribute the scoring load and play as a team has been their strength.
In their recent games, Duke has shown great offensive firepower and defensive tenacity. They have been able to score in bunches and also hold their opponents to a reasonable score. With a mix of experienced players and talented newcomers, the Duke Blue Devils are a formidable opponent for any team.
Live Streaming Options: Choose Your Platform
FuboTV offers an excellent viewer experience with a huge library of live sports content. Currently, they are offering a $30 discount on the first month, with plans starting at $49.99. This is a great option for those who want to enjoy live sports without breaking the bank.
SlingTV is also a popular choice, especially if you've run out of free trials or are looking for more than one month of TV. They are currently offering a 50% discount on the first month, with a starting price of $20 for a full month of live TV.
DirecTV Stream provides a 7-day free trial, which is the longest in streaming. While it may not offer the same level of viewer experience as FuboTV, it still provides a great way to watch the game.
Both South Carolina and Duke are set to start the game at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), and SlingTV (low intro rate). So, get ready to witness this exciting matchup and cheer for your favorite team!