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

Appearing in the poll is an acknowledgment that the Gophers have taken care of their business so far, despite injuries to starting guard Mara Braun and top reserve Taylor Woodson. Freshman Tori McKinney missed Minnesota’s last win while in the concussion protocol.

The Gophers survived a relatively easy non-conference schedule undefeated. After opening the Big Ten played with a loss at then-No. 25 Nebraska, Minnesota has rattled off four straight conference wins; A win on Tuesday would give the Gophers a 5-1 start in conference play for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

But business is getting more difficult.

The Gophers’ four conference wins – against Penn State, Illinois and Rutgers at home and at Wisconsin – came against teams with a combined conference record of 3-20. 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 just one loss, at No. 4 USC, by five points. The Gophers have never beaten a ranked opponent in more than a year under coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The Gophers are 1-14 on the road against Maryland and 0-7 against the Terrapins.