Maryland vs. Grand Canyon: 2025 NCAA Tournament Preview & Predictions

by BettingPros Staff |
Mar 16, 2025

The 2025 NCAA Tournament is officially here! The March Madness Bracket is set, and first-round NCAA Tournament matchups are in place. It’s time to make your picks and predictions for the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament! We’re here to help as we’ll have picks and predictions for each of the first-round 2025 NCAA Tournament games. Here are our NCAA Tournament previews and predictions for Maryland vs. Grand Canyon.

2025 NCAA Tournament Preview & Predictions: Maryland vs. Grand Canyon

Here are the odds for this opening-round matchup of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Let’s dive into our preview and predictions for this first-round NCAA Tournament matchup.

Maryland 2025 NCAA Tournament Preview

The Terrapins enter the NCAA Tournament as a formidable force. Coach Kevin Willard’s squad boasts one of the nation’s most imposing defenses, particularly excelling at keeping opponents off the free-throw line and challenging shots at all levels. The Terps hold opponents under 31% from beyond the arc and to a bottom-30 effective field goal percentage. It's hard to find holes anywhere on this team.

Offensively, Maryland is an elite three-point shooting team with Selton Miguel and Ja'Kobi Gillespie both shooting better than 41% from deep — though the Terps don’t rely heavily on the long ball. The frontcourt pairing of Julian Reese and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Derik Queen gives Maryland a devastating interior presence both offensively and defensively.

While Maryland possesses possibly the most talented starting five in college basketball with their blend of rim protection, scoring versatility, and improved shooting, their notable lack of depth could prove problematic in the tournament’s condensed schedule. Even playing in consecutive games in the Big Ten tournament, Maryland’s efficiency took a step back in their loss to Michigan. They rank outside the top 310 in bench minutes, away-from-home metric, and the paper tiger factor (both of the latter stats via Haslametrics). The Terrapins are also 345th in consistency.

If every game were 20 minutes, I might bet Maryland to win the tourney. The Terps also finished the year strong, ranking ninth in hoops since Feb. 1. But with quick turnarounds, only one win against a top-20 squad, and their proven dependence on the home court, the Terrapins remains a team with one of the widest ranges of outcomes in March.

Grand Canyon 2025 NCAA Tournament Preview

The Grand Canyon Antelopes enter March Madness riding high as WAC champions with a 26-7 record under Bryce Drew. This potent squad combines elite talent with physical play, anchored by former WAC Player of the Year Tyon Grant-Foster and dynamic point guard Ray Harrison. The Lopes embrace a distinctive identity focused on attacking the rim and drawing fouls, ranking top-15 in both metrics.

Defensively, they force opponents into difficult interior shots where their rim protection creates problems. The already formidable core of Grant-Foster, Harrison, defensive specialist Collin Moore, and bruiser Duke Brennan was bolstered by depth with Makaih Williams taking an additional step after an already impressive freshman campaign. Having already proven themselves with an NCAA Tournament win last season, the Antelopes’ physical style, elite guard play, and impressive depth make them a legitimate threat to advance even further this March, particularly if their collection of five former top-100 recruits performs to their considerable potential.

Check out all of our 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket & Betting Coverage >>

2025 NCAA Tournament Game Previews

March Madness is officially here! The 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket has been announced, and the teams are lining up for the Big Dance. Let's take a look at the early odds, previews, and predictions for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

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