CBB: Juwan Howard ejected in Wolverines quarterfinals win

Juwan Howard and the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines (20-3, 14-3) eliminated 8-seed Maryland (16-13, 9-11) in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday, March 12 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Michigan was without their head coach for the stretch run after Howard was ejected with 10:44 left in the second half. The Wolverines were up 57-47 when Howard got into a shouting match with Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon. According to reports, Turgeon complained that Howard was outside of the coaching box, which started the verbal altercation.

Michigan outscored Maryland 22-19 after the ejection and pulled away for a 79-66 victory. Maryland led by as much as 12 in the first half before Michigan went on a 16-2 run. The Wolverines shot 45.5% from 3-point range and out-rebounded Maryland 32-26. Mike Smith led the way for Michigan with 18 points and a Big Ten Tournament record 15 assists. Franz Wagner added 16 points and four rebounds in the win. Eric Ayala finished with a game-high 19 points and five rebounds for the Terrapins. Darryl Morsell compiled 16 points and six rebounds in the loss.

"At the end of the day, first, I want to apologize to my team, which I did in the locker room for my actions. That’s not the way how you handle situations like that under adverse moments. You can’t let your emotions get the best of you," Howard explained in the postgame press conference. "Turgeon said that I was out of the box. He told the referee to look at my feet, I’m out of the box, and I was like, ‘C’mon man, that’s what we’re worried about? My feet being out of the box?’ So he said to me, ‘Juwan, I’m not gonna let you talk to me. I’m never gonna let you talk to me ever again.'"

Photo Credit: Fox News.