Terps set for a "deep run" or a team on upset alert? What the experts are predicting for Maryland-Grand Canyon
2025 NCAA Tournament winners and losers from bracket reveal: Who got the best and worst draws? - CBSSports.comMaryland has been one of my favorite dark horse, Final Four picks…
Should Maryland basketball be on upset alert in its NCAA Tournament opener against Grand Canyon? The Antelopes' home-state newspaper believes so.
"Bryce Drew's team gained valuable experience winning an NCAA Tournament game last season. Can they do it again? It's certainly possible. We predicted an 81-77 upset win for the Antelopes in the first round over Maryland in our first-round March Madness pick for the game," Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic wrote.
"Memphis and Colorado State are certainly beatable in the second round, but we're not prepared to pick GCU to make the Sweet 16. The Lopes are more than capable of proving us wrong. Prediction: Grand Canyon loses to Memphis or Colorado State in second round of NCAA Tournament."
Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports likes the Terps, but not their draw.
"Maryland has been one of my favorite dark horses, Final Four picks for a while, but this draw for the 4-seed Terps is brutal. First up is a date with 13-seed Grand Canyon who is just teeming with high-major players. Maryland is the more talented team but it's not a major advantage. Plus, top 200 teams are shooting just 50% at the rim against Grand Canyon (GCU breakdown here), who has a wealth of athletes and size. Woof," he wrote.
"The top guy on the scouting report has given Maryland fits for the last month or so, and Grand Canyon star Tyon Grant-Foster is a big-time player capable of going for a 30-piece whenever he wants. He's one of the best foul-drawing wings in the country and that's a problem against a thin Maryland squad."
Here's a look at more analysis and predictions for Maryland's opening-round game against Grand Canyon:
Dan Treacy of The Sporting News
This year's Grand Canyon team relies much more on defense than simply outscoring opponents, which was the goal last season. The 'Lopes hold opponents to 68.7 points per game and just 45.9 percent from the field, the latter of which is a top 30 mark nationally. The style of play has changed just a bit, but Grand Canyon has the experience and defensive tenacity to contend for another win in the big dance. Grand Canyon can sit down and lock in defensively, but it lacks the defensive manpower to slow down Maryland's high-octane offense. Even if the 'Lopes try to muck things up by making it a defensive battle, they're doing it against one of the country's best defensive teams. Grand Canyon is well-coached and will be ready to play, but Maryland's array of talent and principles on both sides of the floor make it a team that is very hard to upset."Maryland Basketball Scoop: The latest on Kevin Willard, a top portal prospect, a new name and more
Analytics guru Evan Miyakawa
"I really like Maryland's path to a Sweet 16, if not further. If they beat GCU, they would face either Memphis or Colorado State, both of which they would be favored to beat by 6 points according to EvanMiya.com. They are the strongest 4-seed in the tourney and could give Florida a test in the 2nd weekend."David Aldridge of The Athletic
"They jobbed your Terps, man. Sent them out to Seattle. That's terrible. Thats awful. Thats awful ... You just can't fly to Seattle. That's asking a lot of people."And I know Maryland travels, so they'll have people out there. But hey say they make every accommodation to make sure people can send their fans out." Totally unfair to great fanbase that would happily go to Florida or to North Carolina. You can get there in less than half a day. [Seattle] is not reasonable."
(On BMitch and Finlay)
Trotter on Maryland's second-round potential draw
"It could get a date with 5-seed Memphis, who also has one of the elite isolation scorers in America in PJ Haggerty and a two-big lineup of Dain Dainja and Moussa Cisse (or Nicholas Jourdain) who can physically handle the challenge that Derik Queen and JuJu Reese present. Like Grand Canyon, Memphis has been a very good rim protecting team all season. Maryland has its work cut out for itself."Gilbert McGregor of The Sporting News on the Match-up
"Grand Canyon can sit down and lock in defensively, but it lacks the defensive manpower to slow down Maryland's high-octane offense. Even if the 'Lopes try to muck things up by making it a defensive battle, they're doing it against one of the country's best defensive teams.Grand Canyon is well-coached and will be ready to play, but Maryland's array of talent and principles on both sides of the floor make it a team that is very hard to upset."
Reuters on the 10.5-point spread
"Grand Canyon, coached by NCAA legend Bryce Drew (remember his last-second shot and dive on the floor after Valparaiso's victory over Ole Miss in 1998), is ranked 67th in defensive efficiency and has a history of upsets, including taking out Saint Mary's in the first-round last year. Maryland is uber talented, but this line might be a bit high."Maryland legend Steve Blake
Former Maryland point guard Steve Blake also chimed in on X."I believe this team can get it done this year!" he wrote.
A prominent alum expressing excitement isn't unusual, but it is for Blake, who rarely posts on social media and hasn't been seen much in College Park since he left more than 20 years ago. And he knows what to look for; Blake, still No. 6 in NCAA history in assists, was the point guard the last time the Terps got past the Sweet 16.
ESPN's Jay Bilas
"Player to watch: Derik Queen (Maryland). The freshman big man has unusual skill and great feet. He averages 16.3 PPG and is a big part of a Maryland offense that outscores its opponents by 16.4 PPG (seventh best in Division I).Winner: Maryland
Potential for upset: High. Grand Canyon can play. Last season's roster was a bit better, but the Lopes will not be scared. The Terps will have to play well to win."
