On Saturday, the Maryland Terrapins were 5.3 seconds away from reaching its first men’s Big Ten Conference tournament title appearance. Big Ten Freshman of the Year Derik Queen capped off a career-high 31-point performance with free throws to put Maryland ahead 81-80 against Michigan.
However, with no timeouts, Michigan executed a perfect play that ended in guard Tre Donaldson beating the buzzer with a layup over Queen to advance the Wolverines to Sunday’s championship game. The hearts of the Maryland faithful got broken in the process.
After inbounding the basketball, Donaldson got the handoff and raced down the court, beating Maryland’s press. With the lane clear, Donaldson laid the ball into the hoop over a reaching Queen with 0.4 seconds remaining.
The reaction to Tre Donaldson stunning Maryland
The reaction from supporters of both teams explained the ending of March Madness.
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard may regret not sitting back on defense to force a longer shot. Terps’ hero in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament, Rodney Rice, was late getting over to Donaldson charging.
Queen froze at the wing and was late recovering. Meanwhile, Julian Reese, who should have been the last line of defense, mistimed his jump to contest. In hindsight, Reese should have stepped up to create contact or impede Donaldson’s path.
Selton Miguel appeared to be the only Maryland defender in his proper place. He sealed off Donaldson, potentially dumping a pass-off on his teammate Roddy Gayle Jr.
Maryland last four losses coming on opponent’s final shot
Overall, the Terrapins’ performance in the play was nearly a total breakdown. Michigan executed the play they needed to perfection, and one has to give credit to Wolverines head coach Dustin May.
Michigan improved to 12-4 on the season in games decided by five points or less. Meanwhile, Maryland fell to 4-7 in the same situation. Maryland’s last four losses have come when their opponent beat the buzzer with a made shot.
Northwestern topped Maryland on Jan. 16 behind a Nick Martinelli jumper in overtime before the final horn sounded. On Feb. 6, Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton drained a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining that proved the game-winner. Then, on Feb. 26, Tre Holloman sank a half-court heave at the buzzer to lift Michigan State past Maryland.
Add up the time remaining after the game-winning shots in Maryland’s last four losses and you’d get 7.8 seconds — two buzzer-beaters, a banked-in 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds and Tre Donaldson’s coast-to-coast layup today.
Now, Tre Donaldson has added to the Maryland heartbreak. The Terrapins must shake off the dramatic loss. Michigan will play No. 5 seed Wisconsin in Sunday’s Big Ten Championship. The Terrapins will wait to hear their names during the Selection Show of the NCAA Tournament.
Maryland is 14-3 in its last 17 games. The Terrapins (25-8 overall, 14-6 conference) finished the regular season second in the Big Ten standings and expect to be a top-4 seed in the Field of 68. The multiple heartbreaking moments will better prepare Willard and the Terrapins for any late-game situations during the NCAA tournament.
It will end their season if Maryland suffers another breakdown in a clutch moment this month.
