SEATTLE — The No. 4-seeded Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball team punched its ticket to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, surviving a nail-biter against No. 12-seeded Colorado State, 72-71, in the Round of 32 on Sunday, March 23, at Climate Pledge Arena. The victory came two days after Maryland dominated No. 13-seeded Grand Canyon, 81-49, in the Round of 64 on Friday, March 21, showcasing the Terps’ ability to adapt and overcome in the West Region.
In the opener, Maryland faced Grand Canyon, a Western Athletic Conference champion with a veteran roster that had upset Saint Mary’s as a No. 12 seed in 2024, per NCAA records. The Terps started slowly, trailing 7-2 early, but flipped the script with a 9-0 run and never looked back. Senior forward Julian Reese led with 18 points and nine rebounds, while freshman Derik Queen added 13 points and 15 boards. Junior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 16, fifth-year Selton Miguel contributed 13, and sophomore Deshawn Harris-Smith went a perfect 5-for-5 for 11 points off the bench. Maryland shot 50.8% from the field and 43.8% from three, outscoring Grand Canyon 44-18 in the paint, according to Testudo Times .
Grand Canyon’s Tyon Grant-Foster managed 23 points, including 16 in the first half, but no other Antelope reached double figures. The 32-point margin marked Maryland’s largest NCAA Tournament win in program history, per University of Maryland Athletics. The victory set up a Round of 32 clash with Colorado State, which had upset No. 5-seeded Memphis, 78-70, in its opener.
Sunday’s game against the Rams was a stark contrast. Colorado State, riding a 10-game win streak including its first Mountain West Tournament title since 2003, jumped to a 37-30 halftime lead, shooting 50% from the field to Maryland’s 41.9%. The Rams’ momentum continued into the second half, leading 54-47 with 11:35 remaining. But Maryland fought back, with sophomore guard Rodney Rice igniting a turnaround. Rice’s three-point play at 13:39 gave the Terps their first lead since early in the game, 49-47, per posts on X.
The contest remained tight, tied at 64 with 3:04 left. Reese’s clutch play—he finished with two free throws after a media timeout—kept Maryland alive. Rice led the Terps with 16 points, 13 in the second half, while Reese added 14, per ESPN. The game came down to the wire, but Maryland held on for the 72-71 win, ending Colorado State’s Cinderella bid. The Rams’ specifics were limited in early reports, but their hot shooting and resilience tested Maryland’s resolve.
Under head coach Kevin Willard, Maryland (27-8) now advances to face No. 1-seeded Florida in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 27, in Los Angeles. The Gators, 31-4, boast the nation’s top offensive efficiency and a 10th-ranked defense, per KenPom.com. Maryland’s path reflects a season of growth, finishing second in the Big Ten and leveraging a high-scoring starting five led by Queen, an AP All-America Honorable Mention averaging 16.3 points and 9.0 rebounds, per HERO Sports.
The Terps’ tournament run marks their 31st appearance and first Sweet 16 berth since 2016. The Grand Canyon win highlighted their offensive depth, with five players in double figures, while the Colorado State thriller showcased their grit. Maryland’s defense, ranked sixth nationally, and 28th-ranked offense will face a stern test against Florida, with a potential Elite Eight shot on the line.
The 2025 tournament, which began with Selection Sunday on March 16, continues to deliver drama, with eight first-round upsets already recorded, per NCAA.com. Maryland’s journey resumes as they aim for their first Final Four since 2002.
