Although Maryland fans may have felt blindsided, Willard was frequently linked to the role, with the possibility really starting to ramp up during the team's NCAA Tournament run. Maryland's superstar freshman Derik Queen took to X to show his disappointment with the news, using multiple sad emojis in response to the report.

SEATTLE — When there was no one left to celebrate with him, Derik Queen clapped by himself. He stared into the crowd. He bounced a little. The author of a forever moment, the man who finally changed Maryland’s last-shot fortunes, basked as he waited for a hero’s postgame interview.