Michigan head coach Juwan Howard had words for Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon after Howard was ejected from Friday's Big Ten Tournament showdown between the Wolverines and Terrapins.
Howard initially began his press conference by apologizing to his players for losing control during a bit of a scuffle with Turgeon late in the second half. But the former Fab Five member suggested Turgeon goaded him:
Juwan Howard starts his postgame press conference by once again apologizing to his team for losing control of his emotions. Adds that he was trying to argue a call with the ref and Turgeon told him “Juwan I’m not going to let you talk to me! You don’t talk to me ever again!”
— Jamal Spencer (@JamalSpencerTV) March 12, 2021
Howard also said Turgeon charged at him, which really set things in motion:
“And he charged at me,” Howard said, via Jamal Spencer of ABC 13. “I was raised by Chicago and when you’re charged, you defend yourself. Especially when a grown man charges at you.”
The footage did appear to show Turgeon approach Howard with a finger pointed in his direction.
The Michigan coach immediately responded by trying to rush toward the Maryland bench. He was restrained by assistants as players from both teams convened at the scorer's table. But Howard did not stop barking in Turgeon's direction, which resulted in his ejection.
Check it out:
That famous Big 10 Michigan-Maryland rivalry has boiled over again! pic.twitter.com/0LWVRp0BKJ
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 12, 2021
Turgeon explained his side of the situation like so:
Full quote from Mark Turgeon on what happened between him and Juwan Howard: pic.twitter.com/Wvfo6rQFvW
— Emily Giambalvo (@EmilyGiam) March 12, 2021
The Wolverines got the last laugh in the end.
Michigan outscored the Terrapins 39-28 in the second half, cruising to a 79-66 victory. Freshman center Hunter Dickinson was held to just five shot attempts, while senior Isaiah Livers was 0-for-5 from the field. But the Wolverines got an enormous 18-point, 15-assist double-double from senior guard Mike Smith. Franz Wagner and Eli Brooks both poured in 16 points for Michigan.
The win moves the Wolverines to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of Purdue-Ohio State.
Howard's team, ranked No. 4 in the nation, will be one of the NCAA Tournament favorites in the coming weeks. The former NBA All-Star let Turgeon know he is not to be trifled with, either, and it's clear there's some bad blood.
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