The NCAA Tournament has just begun with, we will see the rise of new stars, remarkable moments, and fierce competition. The first Friday of March Madness marks the second day of the Round of 64 which includes 16 games happening throughout the day. Now let’s talk about the most intense games that scouts are watching closely.
Maryland vs Grand Canyon should be able to deliver in terms of entertainment value. Derik Queen is also set to be a top-ten selection during the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. The towering 6’10” center had a stellar season where he put up 16.3 points, 9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. He had shooting splits of 52.9% from the field, 14.3% from three, and 76.8% from the foul line.
Most of Queen’s scoring happens in the post area, showcasing him as a highly skilled center. His dominant footwork along with exceptional skill allows him to score easily against opposing defenses. Queen is not only proficient at scoring but also highly regarded as a passing big man, showcasing his versatility. His court vision is exceptionally developed which allows him to make great passes over defenders. There is no argument that Queen is among the most skilled bigs and possibly the top players in the 2025 NBA Draft for his sustained excellence in college basketball.
Grand Canyon had an incredible run in the NCAA tournament last year, pulling off an upset against Saint Mary’s in the opening round. They managed to get a ranking above their previous year’s seed, receiving a 13-seed this time instead of a 12. Though this team managed to finish second in their conference, they were able to snag their championship and beat conference favorite Utah Valley who dominated the season with only one loss.
The top prospect for this team is Tyon Grant-Foster, a senior wing listed at 6-foot-7. Some scouts thought he would go into the draft last year, but he decided to come back to school for one more year. In his 3rd year, he has been working through an injury, and his numbers did take a hit, but he has been recovering as of late. He can finish above the rim, defend multiple positions, and is a good shooter.
How Grant-Foster deals with the bulk that Maryland has will be fascinating for scouts. He struggled to be efficient this season for Grand Canyon, but if he was an efficient scorer against this Maryland team, it would do wonders for his draft stock. Queen will need to keep doing highly marketable things for Maryland for them to secure the win. This is a game that promises to be entertaining that tips off at 4:35 PM EST and will be broadcasted on TBS.
