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Derik Queen, Maryland Face Tourney-Tested Grand Canyon
Maryland enters the NCAA Tournament with a talented young star leading the charge, while Grand Canyon arrives battle-tested and ready for another deep run. The No. 4-seeded Terrapins take on the 13th-seeded Antelopes in the West Region first round Friday in Seattle.
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Grand Canyon’s Experience vs. Maryland’s Rising Talent
Grand Canyon (26-7) secured its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance by winning the WAC Tournament. The Antelopes, led by head coach Bryce Drew, have won 15 of their last 17 games and know what it takes to pull off an upset. Last season, they took down No. 5 Saint Mary’s in the first round before falling to Alabama.
Drew, who famously hit a buzzer-beater for Valparaiso in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, understands the importance of experienced players in March.
“You get to high-level games, you need high-level players. I’m thankful I have these three (Grant-Foster, Coles, and Harrison) next to me.” — Bryce Drew
JaKobe Coles leads Grand Canyon with 14.8 points per game and was named the WAC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after averaging 19.7 points. He follows in the footsteps of Tyon Grant-Foster and Ray Harrison, who previously won the award. Grant-Foster and Harrison opted to return for a fifth year, bringing invaluable postseason experience to the Antelopes.
Maryland’s Fresh Faces Ready for the Spotlight
Maryland (25-8) fell just short of reaching the Big Ten title game, losing 81-80 to Michigan in the semifinals. The Terrapins have won eight of their last 10 games and boast a strong mix of size and skill.
Derik Queen, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, leads Maryland with 16.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. His post presence, alongside Julian Reese (9.0 rpg), makes Maryland a formidable challenge inside.
“I do have a lot of guys that have never been in the NCAA Tournament. That’s why I love the NCAA Tournament. Derik Queen was like a fat kid in the chocolate factory. He was so giddy and so excited.” — Kevin Willard
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Maryland built its roster through the transfer portal, adding key backcourt pieces in Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech), Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Belmont), and Selton Miguel (South Florida). The Terps shoot 37.3% from three-point range and take care of the basketball, averaging just 10.3 turnovers per game.
Key Matchup Factors
Neither team has an overwhelming size advantage, with Maryland’s big men battling against Grand Canyon’s experienced frontcourt. The Antelopes’ ability to control tempo and execute in close games could make this a dangerous matchup for Maryland.
For those looking at March Madness expert picks, this game presents an intriguing clash between a power-conference contender and a mid-major with the confidence to take down anyone.
