March Madness always brings its fair share of unforgettable moments—but this one might need an asterisk. The Maryland Buzzer Beater sparks controversy.
In one of the most dramatic endings of the 2025 NCAA Tournament so far, Maryland’s March Madness Maryland Buzzer Beater sent the Terrapins into the Sweet 16. The celebration was instant. The crowd went wild. The team piled on each other at center court.
But shortly after Derik Queen’s game-winning layup banked off the glass, fans, commentators, and officials began asking the same question: Did he travel?
What looked like a heroic finish is now at the center of a growing controversy that’s taking over headlines and stirring up debate across the college basketball world.
Maryland’s March Madness Buzzer-Beater: A Shot for the Ages—or a Missed Call?
With the score sitting at 71-70 in favor of Colorado State, Maryland had one last chance to keep their tournament dreams alive.
The ball ended up in the hands of freshman big man Derik Queen, who drove hard to his left. He took contact, stepped into the lane, and flicked up a soft layup just as the buzzer sounded.
The ball banked in. The Terrapins won.
But the play, shown on replay from several angles, raised eyebrows. As Queen took those steps to the rim, some observers noticed more than two steps without a dribble—an indication of a potential travel violation.
CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander added fuel to the fire, revealing that a veteran NCAA official told him directly that Queen “absolutely traveled” on the play.
Breaking Down the Play: Did Queen Travel?
Let’s walk through what actually happened in slow motion.
Queen drove left, collected the ball with one step, took two more steps, then seemingly re-gathered himself before launching the buzzer-beater with his right hand.
That sequence, if he was in full control during the gather, would be legal. But if he took more than two steps before releasing the ball, that’s a textbook travel under NCAA rules.
On CBS’s postgame show, rules analyst Gene Steratore weighed in.
“It doesn’t jump off the screen as anything big,” Steratore said. “The key is when he gains full control of the ball.”
According to Steratore, it’s a judgment call. But others, including Charles Barkley, weren’t so convinced.
Barkley said he received 13 text messages from friends who were furious the refs didn’t call a travel, calling it one of the biggest missed calls of the tournament so far.
Maryland’s March Madness Buzzer-Beater: Rams’ Reaction and a Painful Exit
For Colorado State, the loss was heartbreaking. They had come into the tournament riding a wave of momentum, winning 22 of their last 23 games. Their defense had been suffocating, their energy unmatched.
And yet, in one final second, it was all gone.
Head coach Niko Medved was composed during the postgame press conference but hinted at frustration.
“I haven’t seen the video yet. I’m sure it’s going to be difficult to watch,” Medved said. “Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. But it doesn’t matter, they didn’t call one.”
To his credit, Medved also praised Queen for making a tough shot under pressure, saying, “He made a really difficult shot to win the game.”
But it’s clear that the moment will linger. For Colorado State’s players, coaches, and fans, the question of whether the final play should have counted will remain a painful what-if.
The NCAA’s Stance on the Call
So far, the NCAA has not released an official statement on the play. That’s not unusual—the governing body rarely comments on judgment calls made during live action unless there’s a formal review or rules violation.
But in the age of social media and instant replay, this clip has gone viral. Thousands of fans have paused, slowed down, and dissected Queen’s steps. The court of public opinion is buzzing.
While there’s no formal replay process to review a travel after the fact, especially once the buzzer has sounded, fans are calling for greater accountability and clarity in officiating during critical moments.
Could this be a catalyst for the NCAA to reconsider what types of plays should be reviewable in the final seconds of tournament games?
Maryland’s March Madness Buzzer-Beater: The Bigger Picture
Controversy aside, Maryland is moving on. They’ve booked their spot in the Sweet 16, where they’ll face a tough opponent in the next round.
For the Terrapins, Queen’s heroics mark a continuation of a resurgent tournament run. Despite being an underdog in multiple matchups, they’ve found ways to survive and advance.
And Derik Queen, just a freshman, has instantly become a March Madness legend—whether or not his final shot was legal. He’s already shown maturity and poise beyond his years, and this game could be the confidence boost he needs to elevate even further in the tournament.
But the cloud of controversy looms. While Maryland celebrates, a section of fans and analysts are still fixated on whether justice was served.
Controversy in March Madness Is Nothing New
Let’s be honest—this isn’t the first time March Madness has been affected by a questionable call. The tournament is full of iconic moments that include buzzer-beaters, questionable fouls, and yes, missed travels.
Just last year, a similar controversy occurred when a last-second shot was allowed after an obvious shot clock violation. Fans went wild online, but the result stood.
The same goes for this play. Unless the NCAA reverses its stance on replay rules, Queen’s buzzer-beater will stay in the record books.
Reactions Pour In Online
Social media lit up instantly after the shot.
- “That’s a travel, plain and simple. Brutal way for Colorado State to go out.”
- “Maryland advances, but I’m not sure that one should count.”
- “Refs need to swallow their whistles less in big moments. That was clear.”
But just as many fans defended the play.
- “Let the kids play! Amazing finish.”
- “Tough shot in traffic. That’s March.”
- “If the ref didn’t call it, it didn’t happen.”
The split in opinion shows just how polarizing moments like this can be—especially in the high-stakes drama of the NCAA Tournament.
What’s Next for Maryland?
Now, the Terrapins face a higher seed and a much tougher matchup. They’ll need to tighten up their defense and execute more consistently on offense if they want to keep their Cinderella hopes alive.
The team knows the spotlight is on them, not just because they won, but because of how they won. They’ll need to block out the noise and prepare for a game that will demand their best performance yet.
Queen will continue to draw attention. Will he rise to the occasion again? Or will the travel debate follow him into the next round?
Maryland’s March Madness Buzzer-Beater and the Gray Area of the Game
No matter where you stand on the controversy, one thing is clear: this game encapsulates what makes March Madness so unforgettable. The highs. The heartbreak. The last-second magic. And yes—the inevitable debate.
Maryland’s March Madness buzzer-beater by Derik Queen was a moment of triumph and controversy wrapped into one. It pushed one team into the next round and ended a dream for another.
The replay might show a possible travel, but the refs didn’t call it—and in March, that’s all that matters.
Whether you view it as a great finish or a glaring miss, it’s now part of tournament history.
