SEATTLE — As time ticked away in a gripping NCAA Tournament matchup, Derik Queen stepped up with unwavering confidence. With only 3.6 seconds remaining and Maryland trailing Colorado State 71-70, coach Kevin Willard opened the floor for any player who wanted to take the decisive shot. Derik Queen didn’t hesitate to voice his determination to be the one, punctuating his confidence with a bold declaration. Thus, the Terrapins’ hopes rested on the shoulders of the 6-foot-10 freshman from Baltimore. He delivered, sinking a dramatic fadeaway jumper right at the buzzer, leading Maryland to a thrilling 72-71 victory on Sunday. This victory marked the Terrapins’ advancement to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.
“You can sometimes plan a play for a guy who might not want the ball,” Willard noted. “But once Derik said he wanted it, the decision was straightforward, and everyone seemed energized by his confidence.” With a simple game plan, they handed Queen the ball and let him make his move. Standing at the top of the key, Queen surged to his left, rose above two defenders, and banked a high-pressure shot off the glass as the buzzer sounded.
“When Coach laid out the play, he put his trust in me, and so did my teammates,” Queen recalled. “Despite some nerves, I knew I had to make this shot, and I was due for one.”
Before Queen’s heroics, Jalen Lake had put the 12th-seeded Rams ahead with a rainbow 3-pointer with just 6 seconds to go, setting the stage for a potential upset. Colorado State, aiming for its first Sweet 16 spot since 1969, nearly pulled it off. For Maryland, the scenario was all too familiar—their last four losses had come on last-possession plays.
During a timeout, Queen rallied his teammates: “For once, the clock is in our favor. It’s time for us to seize our moment.” The Rams were eyeing history in this year’s tournament, known for its scarcity of upsets and game-ending shots. Despite being favorites, Maryland ensured that they were the ones making headlines, advancing to face the top-seeded Florida in the West Region’s semifinals.
“I thought we defended that play as well as we could. It was an unbelievable shot,” admitted Colorado State coach Niko Medved. “That’s March Madness for you; sometimes, you’re the victor, other times the vanquished.” Queen’s 17 points led Maryland, with teammates Rodney Rice and Julian Reese contributing 16 and 15 points, respectively. Each starter from Maryland’s “Crab Five” hit double figures, although the bench added just two. Meanwhile, Nique Clifford stood out for Colorado State with 21 points, alongside Lake’s 13.
Willard, in his third year with Maryland and seeking a contract extension, celebrated his first Sweet 16 appearance as a head coach. Previously, he had taken Seton Hall to the tournament five times. Despite trailing by 12 points in the first half and being down by seven at halftime, Maryland’s comeback was methodical, leveraging their size advantage during the game’s waning moments.
With only seconds to play, Reese snagged an offensive rebound and earned a trip to the foul line, converting two crucial free throws to edge Maryland ahead 70-68. Colorado State responded, and after a timeout, Clifford set up Lake’s 3-pointer. However, Queen had the final say with his buzzer-beater.
“Positive energy is rare these days,” Willard commented. “Derik brings that energy. When he declared he wanted the ball, I just had a feeling things would turn out in our favor. Great things happen to great people, and he is indeed one.” In personal achievements, Reese’s rebound milestone mirrored Len Elmore’s with over 1,000 career boards, a rare feat in Maryland’s history.
Clifford also left his mark, surpassing a past scoring record of 681 points in a season. The Rams’ unexpected exit marked a quieter tournament for lower-seeded teams, with no 11th or lower seed in the Sweet 16, something not seen since 2007.