Burns' Selection // Grand Canyon Antelopes @ Maryland Terrapins [Over] .

Although I do believe that this is a tough matchup for the Antelopes, I would not be shocked if they kept this one closer throughout. Let's not forget that Grand Canyon pulled off #12/#5 upset against Saint Mary's in last years tournaments opening round. Tyon Grant-Foster is a very good player, especially in the big games. However, I'm not taking GCU here. I'm going with the "over." The Antelopes play at the 14th fastest pace via. KenPom's adjusted tempo rankings. They score just under 80.0 PPG and should be firing on all cylinders after cruising through the WAC tourney for the second straight year. On the other hand, Maryland is a really tough draw. Although not quite as fast, the Terrapins also like to play fairly fast themselves. They are 56th in the tempo rankings. Having said that, it makes it difficult to see a team like GCU winning this game. But, it definitely could keep it close. Maryland dropped 169 points in two B10 tourney games. That's an 84.5 PPG average. Now, I know this is the big tournament and there will be nerves. But, I also expect that the pace of both teams to get each other more looks than a normal game would have. I've got the "over" here.

Score Prediction: 83-76 Maryland.