Maryland will face the potent frontcourt of No. 12 Gonzaga on Tuesday night in the Players Era men's tournament in Las Vegas.

The Terrapins will do it, however, with Pharrel Payne back in the lineup.

The return of Payne this week is a surprise considering that he was removed from the floor on a stretcher after he suffered a hip injury at Marquette on Nov. 15.

There was speculation that Payne would be lost for the season, but he returned from a one-game absence to record 20 points and eight rebounds on Monday as Maryland (5-1) rallied for a 74-67 victory over UNLV in the Terrapins' opening game of the tournament.

Up next for Maryland is Gonzaga (6-0), which topped No. 8 Alabama 95-85 on Monday in its tournament opener.

The Bulldogs won by owning the interior. The Crimson Tide had no an

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