Maryland Basketball is getting early Final Four buzz as the postseason arrives
Maryland fans have been displeased with one CBS analyst's March Madness projection for the Terps. But there's another who might be their new favorite.
Maryland fans have grumbled about one CBS Sports analyst's March Madness projection for the Terps. But there's another who might be their new favorite.
Tim Doyle of CBS Sports picked Maryland to go to the Final Four on Friday in the network's mock bracket, playing against Duke. This is a double-sided dream scenario for Maryland, ending a two-decade span with a high point of one Sweet 16, and end the cold war between the two former ACC rivals. The two schools haven't played since Maryland left the ACC in 2014, after spending years as rivals.
Doyle has fifth-seeded Maryland (bracketology and double-bye update here) taking care of UC-San Diego in the first round, then knocking off fourth-seeded Kentucky.
"I love Maryland. if you haven't seen Derik Queen play, he's like a miniature Zack Randolph," he said.
Next, he has the Terps knocking off No. 4 Kentucky, surviving to the second weekend for the first time since 2016, then beating No. 1 seed Houston to advance past the Sweet 16 for the first time since the championship season of 2002.
"I have Maryland taking care of business. I'm in love with this Maryland backcourt. Ja'kobi Gillespie is a Belmont transfer, Rice can fill it up and Miguel's been through the wars," Doyle said. "I like Maryland. Derik Queen and Julian Reese, they have the depth and size to match up with a Houston squad. Obviously, this is a hypothetical. But when you play Houston, you know they're going to rebound, you know they're going to be physical.
Doyle has fifth-seeded Maryland advancing past a Big Ten opponent on a surprise run, seven-seed UCLA, in the Elite Eight, advancing to play Duke and superstar freshman Cooper Flagg
"They're gonna be taking on Maryland. This is old-school. This is like 2001. Steve Blake, Juan Dixon," Doyle said.
He's got the Blue Devils breaking Maryland's hearts in the national semis again, like in 2001. The brilliance of Flagg, Queen's high school teammate at Montverde Academy (Fla.), has many picking Duke to win it all.
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"He is a generational talent," he said. This guy's the next face of the NBA. There have not been a lot of freshmen that have done this."
Here's what others are saying about Maryland as the postseason arrives in hours:
Isaac Trotter of 247Sports/CBS Sports: "It's hard to shake the feeling that these Terps might be the Big Ten's best bet to make that elusive run to play on the first Monday in April. It has a pro. It has the defense. And hoo boy, does it have the guards," he wrote. "Queen has earned the right to be the life of the party and the front-page star for this club. But while the five-star big man is well on his way to earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year after posting another double-double (17 points, 12 rebounds), Maryland's transfer portal haul can go toe-to-toe with any class in the country.
"In a transfer portal era when expectations and reality can be miles apart, Maryland's batch of newcomers have all been terrific additions. Gillespie is pound for pound as good of a point guard addition that you could find on the transfer market."
The Sporting News' Mike Decourcy (via Glenn Clark Radio): "They're now a 4-seed. Clinging towards the end of that line. Three isn't out of the question because Purdue is ahead of you. Mizzou lost, Iowa State lost this week ... In my latest bracket, Maryland would go to Seattle [for the first two rounds]."
Former Maryland coach Gary Williams (Via the Baltimore Sun): I look at it as a former player and graduate of the University of Maryland as player and coach ... I really like the way this team plays. They play an exciting style," he said. "I just hope Maryland fans understand what this team has accomplished this year ... I just think we're in a great position for the rest of the year."
Trotter on Maryland asa Final Four candidate: "This iteration of Maryland is the program's fourth-best offense in the Internet era, behind a team that won the national title in 2002, made the Final Four in 2001 and earned a No. 4 seed in 2010 ... Whoever draws the Terps better hope the basketball gods are on their side because Ohio State, Northwestern and Michigan State sure needed some good juju to beat 'em."
