Are critics too harsh on Terps star Derik Queen? Kevin Willard thinks so.

COLLEGE PARK Is there a bias against Derik Queen? Kevin Willard seems to think so.The third-year Maryland mens basketball told CBS Sports that he thinks NBA scouts are being unfairly harsh in their assessment of the 6-foot-10, 246-pound freshman center, who is usually projected as a mid- to late-first round pick in the 2025 NBA draft despite leading the No.

20 Terps (21-6, 11-5 Big Ten) in scoring (15.9 points per game) and ranking second in rebounds (9.1), assists (2.1), steals (1.0) and blocks (1.0).If he was European and white hed be the first pick in the draft, Willard said.

He gets a little penalized because he doesnt have the greatest athleticism.

He has better ballhandling skills than most guards, hes like a 15-year-vet in the fact he knows and understands the game.Asked for his reaction to Willards defense of him after Thursday nights 88-71 victory over Southern California at Xfinity Center in College Park, Queen was grateful.I definitely appreciate that from Coach, the Baltimore native said.

I feel like thats got some truth to it.

I really dont see no Americans really play like how I play.

My high school coach said [it], but he didnt say it he said the same exact thing but he didnt say that on record.

So nobody really heard it.

He said it in practice.

But I do appreciate Coach Willard for saying it.

There is some truth to it, but Ive still got to keep going, getting better.Here are three observations from Sundays result.The game was tighter than the final score might indicateWhen senior power forward Julian Reese converted an offensive rebound to give Maryland a 52-32 advantage with 16:32 left in the second half, the game appeared out of reach for USC.

Except someone forgot to tell the Trojans (14-12, 6-9).They continued to chip away at the deficit and drew within six points twice at 60-54 with 10:47 remaining and 65-59 with 9:37 left.

But the Terps hunkered down and outscored USC, 23-12, the rest of the way to cement the win.Sophomore shooting guard Rodney Rice seemed to acknowledge that the team lost a little steam on the defensive end of the floor that opened the door for the Trojans to attempt their comeback.I feel like every game, we get to a point in the game where if we just lock in defensively, well win, said Rice, who scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half and added four rebounds and two assists.

Especially when we have a lead like we did, locking down defensively, thats a focal point for us.The near-disaster might have revived memories of a 73-70 loss at Ohio State on Feb.

6 in which Maryland wasted an 11-point lead with 7:13 to go.

Willard preferred to remember a 69-66 victory over Nebraska on Jan.

19 and a 79-78 win at Indiana on Jan.

26.I think having that happen at Indiana, having that happen at Nebraska, there wasnt a whole lot of panic, he said.

It was just more about getting back to what we were doing defensively, and I thought the team did a good job of responding.Maryland fed off the crowdThe announced attendance of 14,662 that showed up Thursday ranks as the sixth-highest crowd at home this winter.

While that might not sound like much, sound proved crucial.In the first four minutes of each half, Maryland got off to strong starts, outscoring USC, 13-3, in the first half and 15-5 in the second half.

Those runs forced Trojans coach Eric Musselman to use timeouts early rather than wait for the under-16 media timeout, and although the tactic slowed the Terps for a few stretches, they obviously rediscovered their shooting touch.With each 3-pointer, layup and dunk that dropped through the rim, the fans ensured their voices were heard.

Queen credited the crowd for spurring the players.I think we did a great job feeding off that energy, he said.

They got loud every time we made a shot, and we went on a run to get up 20, and it just got loud, and then they called timeout.Maryland could use another boost on Wednesday when No.

14 Michigan State (21-5, 12-3) visits for a 6:30 p.m.

tipoff.

Regardless of the attendance number that night, Willard likes what he is seeing from the team thus far.I just like the way theyre playing, he said.

They do have a lot of confidence.

I like our defensive intensity.

More than anything, I like the fact we can throw the ball inside on a consistent basis.For the season, Julian Reese is averaging 14.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 assists.

(Nick Wass/AP)Julian Reese, underrated?For the reasons mentioned above, Queen has been a media darling.

And junior point guard JaKobi Gillespie, Rice and graduate student small forward Selton Miguel have been the long-range snipers Maryland desperately needed after last seasons offensive irrelevance.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Navy boxer EJ Hagins looks to join exclusive club as four-time Brigade Boxing championCollege Sports | No.

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20 Maryland, Towson surgingPerhaps lost among that group has been the solid, steady play of Reese.

The 6-9, 252-pound senior power forward notched his 13th double-double of the season on 19 points and 10 rebounds and chipped in three steals, two blocks and two assists against USC.For the season, Reese is averaging 14.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 assists.

And the Randallstown native and St.

Frances graduate has exceeded or almost matched last years numbers of 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.3 assists and 15 double-doubles despite playing more than four minutes fewer per game.Reeses contributions havent flown under Willards radar.Whats really unique about this group I dont think enough people are talking about Julian Reese is, hes my safety blanket, he said.

At any time, I feel confident I can come down and throw him the basketball.

Hes been as consistent as any big guy in this league all year.

So when you have a talent like Derik and you have JaKobi and Rodney and Selton can shoot it, in this league, theres going to be times when youve got to get the ball inside the paint, and hes been really good.Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun.UP NEXTNo.

14 Michigan State at No.

20 MarylandWednesday, 6:30 p.m.TV: Big Ten NetworkRadio: 105.7 FM.

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