WVU Coaching Search: Niko Medved, Colorado State Eliminated in Controversial Ending

Colorado State gets bounced from the NCAA Tournament, opening up some time for Medved to weigh his options.

Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams head coach Niko Medved works the sideline against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

For the most part, March Madness hasn't been as chaotic as it typically is. There haven't been upsets or buzzer-beaters, but West Virginia head coaching candidate Niko Medved experienced both in his two games in the NCAA Tournament.

On Friday, the Colorado State Rams were one of just a handful of teams to pull off a notable upset, taking down No. 5 seed Memphis, 78-70.

And then, Sunday evening, Medved and the Rams had quite the swing of emotions in the game's final seconds against No. 4 seed Maryland. Jalen Lake drained a three-pointer with six seconds on the clock to give Colorado State a one-point lead. Maryland brought the ball up the floor and called a timeout to set up a play.

Freshman Derik Queen caught the inbound pass at the top of the key, powered his way to the lower left block, and banked in the game-winning shot as time expired for the win. The shot has become a controversial topic on social media because of Queen potentially traveling before putting the shot up.

DERIK QUEEN FTW 😱

OH MY GOODNESS 🤯#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/06QRH6eK3R

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2025

"I haven't seen the video yet. It's going to be hard for me to watch. I'm sure I will at some point. I don't know. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't," Medved said in his postgame interview. "But it doesn't matter; they didn't call one. They never go back and change the call."

Despite the loss, Niko Medved proved that he is more than deserving of a serious look by West Virginia for the head coaching job. However, Minnesota is also expected to be in play to land the Minneapolis native.

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