4-vs-13 matchups are usually sneaky when it comes to people filling out their brackets in March. Everyone is always quick to focus on the 5-vs-12 matchups in the Round of 64. However, in recent years, 13-seeds have busted brackets early. Last year, Yale knocked off Auburn. In 2023, Furman upset Virginia.
This year's group of 13 seeds is very robust. Among the four teams which include High Point, Akron, and Yale, it's Grand Canyon that could be considered the strongest. The Catalopes are back in the NCAA Tournament by winning the WAC Tournament title. Everyone still remembers the crazy upset they pulled off against Saint Mary's last season.
They can very well do the same this season. Although they won't be able to be sneaky and sneak up on teams anymore, the 'Lopes will still be tough to beat. As for their opponents, your Maryland Terrapins, head coach Kevin Willard has guided the team back into the biggest stage after a one-year hiatus. Not only are they back, but the Terps have one of the most thrilling teams in college basketball.
They were very competitive in a Big Ten Conference that was one of the sport's toughest gauntlets during this 2024-25 season. Maryland enters this game with a 25-8 record and having come so close to beating Michigan in the Big Ten Semifinals. Here are the particulars you need to know before the Terps kick off a potential deep postseason run in March.
How to watch Maryland vs Grand Canyon
Date: Friday, March 21 Time: 4:35 PM ET Venue: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington How to Watch (TV): TBS Streaming: fubo TV Maryland Record: 25-8 Grand Canyon Record: 26-7
Maryland vs Grand Canyon odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
Maryland -630 Grand Canyon +450
Spread
Maryland -10.5 (-110) Grand Canyon +10.5 (+450)
Total
149.5 (over -115/under -105)
Maryland injury report
Jahari Long, G: Out (knee) Chance Stephens, G: Out (undisclosed) Braden Pierce, C: Out (eye)
Grand Canyon injury report
N/A
Maryland and Grand Canyon series history
The 2025 NCAA Tournament will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Maryland vs Grand Canyon prediction
This one has the potential to be a slugfest. Both teams in this matchup are exceptional at playing defense. Grand Canyon ranks 67th in the country in defensive efficiency. Maryland meanwhile ranks sixth in that metric. The difference in this game will come down to the offenses of both teams. When comparing the two squads, Maryland has the advantage.
Head coach Kevin Willard likes to rely heavily on his starters. The lineup consists of Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, Selton Miguel, Derik Queen, and Julian Reese. Get used to seeing that lineup out there for nearly the entire game. No other player outside the aforementioned starting lineup averages at least four points per game. That's because hardly anybody gets playing time.
This is a unique approach to how a team's rotation is utilized. The starting lineup has grown great chemistry and can provide scoring from anywhere. The three-guard system that Willard has installed has been one of the biggest keys to the Terp's success. The trio of Rice, Miguel, and Gillespie can shoot the ball well. Miguel stands out as he's shooting the long-range shots at a 41.6 percent clip.
Gillespie shots from the perimeter at a 41.2 percent rate and Rice is a capable shooter of his own while being able to score the ball. They also have the inside presence of Derik Queen. The future NBA first-round pick is the team's leading scorer, averaging 16,3 points a night. Reese also averages 13.1 points per game.
Grand Canyon on the other hand doesn't have as much versatility and effectiveness offensively. Leading the charge on that end are senior guard Tyon Grant-Foster (14.5 PPG) and senior forward JaKobe Coles (14.8 PPG). They also have fellow veterans in Rayshon Harrison and Duke Brennan who average double figures. However, this team doesn't shoot the ball well, especially from 3.
The Cantalopes lack a go-to-shooter and the entire team is firing beyond the arc at a 31.4 percent clip. That's a weakness that could get exposed if Maryland hits 3-point shots of their own. Grand Canyon relies too much on their defense to win games but there's little chance that it works here against Maryland. The Terps have a lockdown defense themselves and can put games away early if they fire on all cylinders. Most likely, they will