The No. 1 seed Florida Gators (32-4) rank third in the nation in scoring offense at 85.4 points per game, while No. 5 seed Maryland (27-8) ranks 23rd at 81.4 ppg. Florida is seeking its first Elite Eight appearance since 2017 and hopes to make its sixth Final Four trip in school history. Four of UF's starters are averaging double figures in scoring led by senior All-American point guard Walter Clayton Jr., who is averaging 17.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. "The separator for our team is what I call our team talent, the way our guys play together ― the unselfishness, their willingness to support whoever's night it is," Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. "One guy can be hot and we have no bad body language. We have nobody just disappointed that it's not them." Maryland is led by freshman center Derik Queen (16.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg), who earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Queen (6-10, 246 pounds) and Julian Reese (6-9, 232 pounds) form a formidable Maryland frontline. The duo has developed a bond on and off the court. "Ju has been a big brother all year," Maryland coach Kevin Willard said. "On the court he's helped Derik develop tremendously with physicality getting used to it in the Big Ten. I think Derik conversely has been a great little brother because he's always joking around and smiling. I think it's really helped Ju enjoy his senior year and really relax."
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