The Maryland Terrapins, entering their NCAA Tournament second-round matchup against the Colorado State Rams with a 25-8 record, have demonstrated a season of resilience and strategic growth under the leadership of head coach Kevin Willard. The team’s journey through the 2024-2025 season has been marked by overcoming midseason adversities to solidify their position as a formidable force within the Big Ten Conference. Central to Maryland’s success is freshman center Derik Queen, who has been a revelation in his debut season, averaging 16.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Queen’s dominance in the paint provides the Terrapins with a reliable scoring option and a defensive stalwart, effectively altering opponents’ shots and controlling the boards. Complementing Queen’s interior presence is the experienced backcourt duo of Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Selton Miguel. Gillespie’s playmaking abilities and Miguel’s defensive tenacity have been instrumental in Maryland’s balanced approach on both ends of the floor. The Terrapins’ offensive strategy emphasizes deliberate ball movement and high-percentage shots, leading to an average of 74.5 points per game. This methodical approach minimizes turnovers and maximizes scoring efficiency. Defensively, Maryland employs a versatile scheme, alternating between man-to-man and zone defenses to disrupt the rhythm of opposing offenses. This adaptability has resulted in holding opponents to an average of 66.3 points per game, showcasing their ability to stifle both perimeter and interior scoring threats. The team’s resilience was on full display during their Big Ten tournament run, where they secured a decisive victory over Illinois before narrowly falling to Michigan in a tightly contested semifinal. The Maryland Terrapins’ performance in that Big Ten semifinal, despite the narrow loss, reflected their poise, depth, and readiness for high-stakes postseason play, attributes that will be critical against a Colorado State team entering with momentum and confidence. Maryland’s offense thrives when Gillespie controls the tempo and Miguel can work off the ball, allowing Queen to operate efficiently in the post or in pick-and-roll sets. Queen’s versatility as a big who can pass out of the double team and knock down mid-range shots forces opposing defenses to make difficult decisions, often opening up clean looks for shooters like Jahari Long and wing scorer Noah Batchelor, who have both come up with clutch baskets throughout the season.

Head coach Kevin Willard has also leaned into a defensive identity that focuses on switching aggressively and contesting every shot, making Maryland one of the stingiest teams in the tournament. Their physicality, especially in the paint, has created matchup issues for smaller, perimeter-focused teams and should pose a significant challenge to Colorado State’s offense, which prefers to push the pace and play in space. Maryland will look to slow down the Rams’ transition attack by dominating the glass and executing their half-court sets with patience and precision. A major strength for the Terrapins is their ability to close out games—Maryland ranks among the national leaders in free-throw percentage during the final five minutes of regulation, a critical edge in what could be a tightly contested matchup. The leadership of Gillespie and Miguel in pressure moments adds confidence, while Queen’s presence gives them an interior fallback when perimeter shots aren’t falling. One area Maryland will need to improve upon against Colorado State is transition defense, particularly after turnovers, which has occasionally been a vulnerability when facing athletic guards and wings. However, with a week of preparation, Willard’s staff has likely emphasized controlling possessions, limiting live-ball turnovers, and forcing the Rams into difficult half-court offense, where Maryland’s length and discipline can take over. Terrapins fans, many of whom have traveled to Seattle for the tournament, are expected to give Maryland a pseudo-home-court atmosphere, which could energize a team that feeds off intensity and physicality. The Terrapins enter this game as a 5.5-point favorite not just because of their size and defense, but also due to their tournament experience, tactical coaching, and the high-level consistency they’ve shown against major-conference opponents. If Maryland establishes Derik Queen early, defends the three-point line effectively, and keeps their turnovers in check, they should be in strong position to impose their style and wear down Colorado State. With a Sweet 16 berth on the line and a roster built to grind down opponents, Maryland appears prepared to rise to the moment, relying on the same formula that carried them through the gauntlet of the Big Ten: discipline, defense, and timely execution. As long as they remain composed and don’t allow Colorado State’s speed to disrupt their rhythm, the Terrapins are well-positioned to extend their tournament run and continue their push toward national contention.