INDIANAPOLIS – In a nail-biting showdown, the No. 11-ranked Maryland men's basketball team suffered a heart-wrenching defeat to the No. 22-ranked Michigan Wolverines, falling 81-80 in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.

With the loss, the Terps conclude their conference tournament journey and now eagerly await their fate in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday is set for March 16 at 6 p.m. EST, and fans are already hoping for a favorable draw.

The dramatic finish was courtesy of Michigan's Tre Donaldson, who dashed down the court and executed a clutch left-handed layup with just 0.4 seconds remaining, sealing the victory after Maryland's Derik Queen had briefly given his team an 80-79 lead with two critical free throws seconds earlier.

Queen, the standout Big Ten Freshman of the Year, showcased his incredible talent by scoring a career-high 31 points, marking the most scored by a Maryland freshman since 2015. His performance included 20 second-half points and two key three-pointers, an impressive feat considering he had only made two all season prior to this game.

Maryland’s Selton Miguel contributed significantly with 16 points, alongside three steals and two assists. Julian Reese, recognized as an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, added 13 points, while Ja'Kobi Gillespie contributed 10 points and dished out nine assists. Remarkably, the starting unit, affectionately dubbed "The Crab Five," accounted for 78 of Maryland's 80 points.

On the opposing side, Michigan was propelled by standout performances from Vladislav Goldin, who racked up 25 points and snagged 10 rebounds, and Danny Wolf, who contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Game Breakdown: Tension Building

The game started with an even pace, with both teams tied at 10-10 during the first media timeout. Maryland initially took charge with a slim lead of 16-14 before a critical 9-0 run by Michigan turned the tide, forcing the Terps into a timeout. The teams exchanged runs, and by halftime, Michigan held a narrow 38-34 lead.

Returning to the court, Michigan managed to pull away, building their largest lead of the game at 46-34. However, Maryland responded with determination, going on a 12-0 scoring run and reclaiming the lead, 62-61, midway through the second half.

The tension heightened further down the stretch, with both teams trading baskets. With Minnesota running out of time, Maryland found themselves trailing by just one point before Queen’s two free throws gave them a brief edge—only for Donaldson to secure the heartbreaking final score.

Standout Performers: Highlights and Milestones

Derik Queen's remarkable performance not only led the Terps but also made history, as he became the first freshman in Maryland to achieve 11 twenty-point games in a single season since 1993. His scoring average of 16.3 points per game ranks him among the top freshmen in program history.

Julian Reese continues to climb Maryland’s all-time scoring list, now with 1,443 points and counting. Notably, he has joined an elite group of five players in program history to surpass both 1,400 points and 900 rebounds.

Maryland's performance in this tournament solidifies their standing as a formidable opponent heading into the NCAA Tournament, but they must now regroup quickly to channel this heartbreak into something positive.

Looking Ahead: March Madness on the Horizon

As the Terps await their NCAA Tournament seeding, excitement and anticipation are palpable among fans. Will Maryland leverage this challenging defeat to fuel a deep run in March Madness? All eyes will be on Selection Sunday, March 16, as the journey continues!