Maryland Terrapins vs Iowa Hawkeyes Picks and Predictions February 16th 2025

Queen’s Dominance Lifts Maryland as Big Ten Race Heats Up

No. 25 Maryland is surging at the right time, and much of that success has been powered by freshman Derik Queen, who continues to cement his status as one of the most dominant young players in college basketball.

Queen enters Sunday’s matchup against Iowa fresh off a commanding 24-point, 11-rebound performance in an 83-75 road win over Nebraska. His five 20-point, 10-rebound performances this season lead all Division I freshmen, a list that includes elite prospects like Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey.

“There have definitely been some games where I struggled a lot and my numbers and performances weren’t great,” Queen said. “But now since my coaches and my teammates are getting on me and telling me that I’m better than this … just keep building and (learn) what mistakes not to make again.”

Maryland (19-6, 9-5 Big Ten) now looks to continue its push toward an NCAA Tournament berth when it hosts Iowa (14-10, 5-8) in College Park on Sunday. The Terrapins have won three straight and are clicking offensively, thanks to a balanced attack that complements Queen’s interior dominance.

Maryland’s Balanced Offense Keeps Opponents Off Guard

Queen and Julian Reese (13.7 PPG, 9.1 RPG) form one of the Big Ten’s most formidable frontcourt duos, but Maryland’s perimeter attack has been just as dangerous.

• Ja’Kobi Gillespie (14.3 PPG, 4.7 APG) is the team’s floor general and a deadly three-point shooter.
• Rodney Rice (13.2 PPG) provides another outside scoring threat.
• Selton Miguel (11.8 PPG) has given Maryland a reliable scoring punch in key moments.

That well-rounded approach was on display against Nebraska, where Gillespie and Miguel each knocked down three triples, helping Maryland stretch the floor and open lanes for Queen and Reese inside.

“When you have Selton Miguel, Rodney Rice and Ja’Kobi Gillespie out there shooting threes, it makes your life a lot easier,” Maryland coach Kevin Willard said.

Maryland is one of only two teams in the country—along with Kentucky—to have five players reach double-digit scoring in the same game at least four times this season. Their depth and offensive versatility make them a dangerous opponent down the stretch.

Iowa Fighting to Stay Alive in Big Ten Race

While Maryland is trending toward March Madness, Iowa is fighting to stay afloat in a competitive Big Ten. The Hawkeyes snapped a six-game losing streak with a strong second-half comeback in an 84-73 win over Rutgers on Wednesday.

The victory was particularly impressive given that Iowa was playing without leading scorer Owen Freeman (16.7 PPG), who is out for the season following finger surgery.

Despite Freeman’s absence, the Hawkeyes still possess one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Iowa ranks 11th in Division I in scoring at 84.5 points per game, fueled by a trio of perimeter threats:

• Payton Sandfort (16.1 PPG) – The team’s top scoring option in Freeman’s absence.
• Josh Dix (14.4 PPG) – Coming off a 23-point performance against Rutgers.
• Drew Thelwell (10.5 PPG) – Questionable for Sunday’s game due to an ankle injury.

Even without Thelwell, freshman Brock Harding stepped up against Rutgers, scoring 13 points and dishing out seven assists in a starting role. If Thelwell remains sidelined, expect Harding to continue leading the offense.

“We were locked in on both offense and defense in that second half,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said after the Rutgers win. “I’m really proud of that. Especially when you’re on the road against a really good team, you have to stay connected, and we did.”

Key Matchups to Watch

• Derik Queen vs. Iowa’s Undersized Frontcourt – Without Freeman, Iowa may struggle to contain Queen inside.
• Payton Sandfort vs. Maryland’s Perimeter Defense – The Hawkeyes will need Sandfort to knock down shots to keep up offensively.
• Maryland’s Offensive Balance vs. Iowa’s Tempo – The Terrapins thrive on inside-out play, while Iowa pushes the pace. Controlling tempo could decide the game.

Maryland Holds Slight Edge in Series History

Maryland leads the all-time series 9-8, including two victories over Iowa last season. With Sunday’s game being the only scheduled meeting between the teams this year, the Hawkeyes will be looking for a statement win to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

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Will Maryland Stay Hot, or Can Iowa Pull the Upset?

Maryland is one of the most balanced teams in the Big Ten, and with Queen playing at an elite level, the Terrapins have their sights set on making a deep postseason run.

However, Iowa remains a dangerous team despite its recent struggles. If the Hawkeyes can replicate their second-half surge from the Rutgers game, they have the firepower to test Maryland on the road.

Can Queen and the Terrapins continue their winning ways, or will Iowa’s high-scoring attack spring an upset? Sunday’s showdown in College Park will have major implications for both teams as they push toward March.