Dick Vitale Predicts Winner Of No. 1 Florida vs. No. 4 Maryland
03/27/2025 12:49 PM
Dick Vitale is ready for Thursday night's awesome Sweet 16 matchup between No. 1 Florida and No. 4 Maryland.
The Gators and Terrapins each survived a second-round thriller to advance to the NCAA tournament's next stage. While Florida knocked out the defending champions in a 77-75 victory over UConn, Derik Queen's game-winner at the buzzer helped Maryland avoid an upset by No. 12 Colorado State.
TBS will televise the Sweet 16 showcase from San Francisco at 7:39 p.m. ET. On Wednesday, Vitale previewed the men's NCAA tournament game and predicted the favorites to prevail.
"The Gators vs Terrapins features the Florida offense led by All Rolls Royce Walter Clayton vs terrific Maryland starting 5 & interior Diaper Dandy Derik Queen & buddy Julian Reese," Vitale wrote. "Depth of Gators says my VBDI (Vitale bald dome index) will be difference."
Florida averaged 94 points per game during a seven-game winning streak before getting slowed down in a physical contest against UConn. The Gators might have faced an early exit if the Huskies hadn't shot 37.5 percent from the floor.
Todd Golden's squad still ranks fourth in scoring and second in offensive efficiency behind Duke on KenPom.com. Clayton scored 23 points in back-to-back March Madness wins after registering 22 apiece in Florida's SEC Tournament victories over Alabama and Tennessee.
Maryland could be equipped to stymie Florida's high-octane attack. The Terrapins have allowed 66.6 points per game with KenPom's sixth-best defensive rating.
Kevin Willard's team narrowly avoided the biggest upset of the second round when Queen banked home a buzzer-beater. All five starters scored double-digit points, but Maryland received just two points off the bench.
Maryland also lost the rebounding battle, allowing 39 boards and 13 offensive rebounds. The Terrapins must tighten their effort on the glass to combat a top seed averaging the nation's third-most rebounds per game (41.9).
Meanwhile, Vitale predicted a good Thursday night for another SEC team. The broadcaster also picked an Alabama triumph over BYU.
The SEC can send as many as six teams to the Elite Eight. That includes No. 10 Arkansas, which would face the winner of Florida and Maryland if it defeats No. 3 Texas Tech on Thursday.
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