On Monday, the Gophers women's basketball team did something it hasn't done in more than five years. But Tuesday presents another huge hurdle.

Minnesota's 16-1 overall start and 4-1 start to Big Ten Conference play pushed the Gophers into the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since Dec. 30, 2019, at No. 24. But there is no time to celebrate with a game at No. 8 Maryland on Tuesday night.

The appearance in the poll is acknowledgment the Gophers have taken care of their business so far, despite dealing with injuries to starting guard Mara Braun and top reserve Taylor Woodson. Freshman Tori McKinney missed Minnesota's last victory while in the concussion protocol.

The Gophers breezed undefeated through a relatively light nonconference schedule. After opening Big Ten play with a loss at then-No. 25 Nebraska, Minnesota has followed up with four consecutive conference wins. A victory Tuesday would give the Gophers a 5-1 start to conference play for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

But business is about to get harder.

The Gophers' four conference victories — against Penn State, Illinois and Rutgers at home and at Wisconsin — have come against teams with a combined 3-20 conference record. Both Rutgers and Penn State are 0-6 in Big Ten play.

That will change with fourth-place Maryland (15-1 overall, 5-1 in conference), which has only one loss, and that was to now-No. 4 USC, by five points. The Gophers have yet to beat a ranked foe in one-plus years under coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The Gophers are 1-14 all time vs. Maryland and 0-7 against the Terrapins on the road.

Gophers at Maryland

6 p.m. Tuesday at Xfinity Center

TV; radio: BTN; 96.7 FM

The Gophers (16-1, 4-1 Big Ten) are looking for their first victory against a ranked team under coach Dawn Plitzuweit. Minnesota defeated Rutgers last week without freshman guard Tori McKinney, who missed the game while under the concussion protocol. The Terrapins (15-1, 5-1) have been shorthanded recently as well but are led by the duo of Kaylene Smikle (17.9 points per game) and Shyanne Sellars (14.2). Maryland is fourth in the Big Ten in scoring (83.06 points per game) and third in field-goal percentage (46.7%). The Gophers are first in points allowed (50.8) and third in field-goal defense (34.6%).