Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after No. 4 seed Maryland men’s basketball’s 72-71 NCAA Tournament win over No. 12 seed Colorado State:
Edward Lee, reporter: For many Maryland fans, Colorado State’s Jalen Lake’s 3-pointer with six seconds left probably looked all too familiar. But the Terps were rescued by Derik Queen, the precocious freshman center from Baltimore, whose 16th and 17th points of the game proved to be the most valuable. Maryland barely escaped a ferocious Rams opponent seeking its first Sweet 16 since 1969 and will have to shore up its defense and rectify its penchant for falling into early deficits before facing No. 1 seed Florida. But for now, the Terps and their fans will have much to celebrate.
Childs Walker, reporter: What a moment for Julian Reese, swishing two free throws to extricate his team from the tightest spot imaginable. And then it was snatched away by another last-possession dagger. And then it wasn’t, thanks to Reese’s supremely gifted freshman running mate, Derik Queen, who made the shot of the season. Colorado State did what Grand Canyon could not, exploiting Maryland’s sloppy start by spreading the floor, sinking tough shots and snatching loose balls. Queen kept the Terps within shouting distance, flashing the perimeter skill that makes him such an intriguing prospect. Kevin Willard switched to zone defense midway through the first half, flummoxing Colorado State and giving his team a chance to rally. But the Rams kept slashing to the basket and scoring over Maryland’s big men. Rodney Rice and Selton Miguel came alive in the second half, propelling the Terps to several slim leads. Give the Rams credit though; they kept attacking, actually outscoring Maryland in the paint. Their star, Nique Clifford, seemed utterly convinced he was the best player on the floor, and they killed the Terps on the offensive glass. Maryland needed every bit of its mettle, and every bit of its magical freshman’s talent, to survive.
DERIK QUEEN FTW 😱
OH MY GOODNESS 🤯#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/06QRH6eK3R
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2025
Sam Cohn, reporter: Maryland just exorcised its buzzer-beater demons with one shining moment of their own. The Terps have four losses since mid-January and all of them came on shots in the final seconds. Colorado State’s Jalen Lake hit a miraculous triple over high hands in similar circumstances. But Derik Queen, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and an exceptional member of this successful Maryland season, nailed a wonky leaner off one foot that kissed off the glass. What a shot. Kevin Willard, aptly, said postgame, “We were due to get one.”
This game was a good example of Maryland being able to find different ways to win. Against Grand Canyon, they leaned heavily on the frontcourt pairing of Julian Reese and Derik Queen at both ends (they combined for 30 points and 24 rebounds). This narrow win has Maryland’s 3-point shooting to thank. Rodney Rice, Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Selton Miguel all hit from range to end a Terps dry spell. They combined for eight threes. When Colorado State overplayed the interior, Maryland was able to make the Rams pay for it in high-leverage situations.
Taylor Lyons, reporter: Derik Queen had already cemented himself as one of Maryland’s most talented players of the past decade. He only needed a signature March moment to become one of the most memorable. There it is.
Maryland’s frustrating first half, full of poor shot selection and weird defensive lapses, put the Terps in a seven-point hole at halftime which meant a perfect final 20 minutes would be needed. They had one, capped by Queen’s heroics. The 3s finally began falling in the second half and the offense started to flow more through the big men, which Colorado State struggled to slow when clicking.
The Rams were not a typical 12 seed, winners of 11 straight entering Sunday and staying with the Crab Five for the first 39 minutes, 59 seconds of the game. This was a gutsy win for a team that hadn’t won many close games in recent weeks — the kind of victories you need to make the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. That was thrilling, nail-biting and excruciating all at the same time. Thanks to Queen, we’ll have at least one more of these.
Bennett Conlin, editor: The Terps looked susceptible to an upset for most of Sunday’s game before surviving thanks to a superb final five minutes and heroics from a five-star freshman. The “Crab Five” and Baltimore basketball phenom Derik Queen delivered when it mattered most, as Queen showed why he’s a future NBA draft pick. For Kevin Willard, it’s the first time he’s led a program to the Sweet 16. For Maryland, it’s the team’s first Sweet 16 appearance in nearly a decade. Terps fans won’t throw a parade for beating two double-digit seeds, but by advancing they have a chance to accomplish something even more special. Maryland is just two wins from a Final Four, and its upcoming clash against Florida will be one of the most anticipated Terps games in recent memory. Buckle up.
Tim Schwartz, editor: Wow, what a game. Derik Queen for the win. Just when you thought Maryland would suffer yet another last-second defeat, the freshman from Baltimore has his moment and beats the buzzer to send the Terps to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016. Kevin Willard is right … Maryland was due.
Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13.
Originally Published: March 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM EDT
