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One of the most positive signs this season for Maryland has been the play of Derik Queen, especially against the toughest teams on the Terrapins’ schedule.

While Tuesday’s matchup against Saint Francis (Pa.) of the Northeast Conference doesn’t figure to be one of Maryland’s most challenging tests, it does find Queen in peak form.

The 6-foot-10 freshman will be a lot for the Red Flash (4-7) to handle when they travel to College Park, Md. to face the Terrapins (8-2).

In his last outing on Dec. 8, Queen delivered 26 points and 12 rebounds in Maryland’s 83-78 loss at then-No. 8 Purdue.

Last month, Queen scored 24 points in a 78-74 loss to then-No. 15 Marquette and collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a 76-75 win over Villanova.

With Queen leading the team in scoring (17.5 points) and rebounds (8.7) per game, the Terrapins are vastly improved offensively.

But coach Kevin Willard wants to see better work at the defensive end. Maryland surrendered 52 points in the second half against Purdue.

“Our half-court defense in the first half was really good,” Willard said. “Our transition defense in the second half was, you know, the crowd got into it. We got a little bit rattled.”

Another Maryland player that has risen against elite competition has been Belmont transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie.

His three highest-scoring games have come against Marquette, Purdue and Ohio State, which Maryland hammered at home 83-59 early this month. In those games, Gillespie hit a combined 12 of 24 shots (50 percent) from 3-point range, scoring 65 points.

St. Francis, which hasn’t had a winning season since 2019-20, has struggled against strong competition, losing by at least 26 points to Dayton, Clemson and Penn State.

Bobby Rosenberger is St. Francis’ top scorer (13.5 points) and rebounder (5.1). Junior college transfer Riley Parker adds 10.3 points and a team-high 4.4 assists per game.

“Riley’s growth in the last month is a product of his hard work,” coach Rob Krimmel said. “He cares. His voice is starting to emerge more and that’s part of a team’s journey.”

–Field Level Media