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Maryland's Derik Queen Had Perfect Explanation for Confidence Ahead of Game-Winning Shot

Derik Queen was born for this.

Brigid Kennedy

Derik Queen on March 23, 2025.
Derik Queen on March 23, 2025. / CBS Sports / X / Screensho
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March Madness fans got their first buzzer-beater of the tournament on Sunday night when Maryland just narrowly fended off Colorado State in a 72–71 finish, courtesy of Terrapins freshman Derik Queen.

With just seconds remaining and the Rams up 71–70, Maryland took a time-out, at which point Queen confidently asked head coach Kevin Willard for the ball. Well, Willard gave him what he wanted, and the 6'10" Queen delivered, nailing a buzzer-beater off the glass despite some potentially questionable footwork.

Asked after the fact where he gets his confidence (vis-à-vis his request for the ball), Queen had the perfect response for reporter Andy Katz: "I'm from Baltimore. That’s why,” he said.

Yeah, that explains it.

Outside of the electric buzzer beater, Queen had an otherwise great game vs. the Rams, putting up a team-leading 17 points, plus six rebounds and one assist.

The Terrapins now move to the Sweet 16, where they'll have their work cut out for them against No. 1 Florida. That game is slated for Thursday, March 27.

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Brigid Kennedy
BRIGID KENNEDY

Brigid Kennedy is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, she covered political news, sporting news and culture at TheWeek.com before moving to Livingetc, an interior design magazine. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, dual majoring in television, radio and film (from the Newhouse School of Public Communications) and marketing managment (from the Whitman School of Management). Offline, she enjoys going to the movies, reading and watching the Steelers.

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