Maryland Basketball: Defense stifles Michigan State to advance to B1G Quarterfinals

The Big Ten Tournament’s 8-9 seed matchup on day two featured Maryland basketball and the Michigan State Spartans. First prize is a rematch with Michigan Wolverines in the next round.

Head Coach Mark Turgeon was grateful that the Terps made it this far without major COVID-19 issues and applauded the team’s sacrifice during his pregame interview with the Big Ten Network’s Andy Katz. He was looking to avoid a sixth loss in the Big Ten Tournament. He was 2-5 before this game.

Tom Izzo told Katz that the Spartans had to stop Maryland’s guards if they wanted to win. He mentioned that they do a great job of getting dribble penetration and kicking out for open threes. He was also complimentary of the job Mark Turgeon had done to make sure the team limits their turnovers.

Both teams came out struggling to get the ball in the hoop, and defense was a big part of the first five minutes.

That was until two threes by Rocket Watts, and Malik Hall gave the Spartans a 12-4 lead under 16 minutes to go.

It grew to 17-6 as the Spartans were locking down defensively and forcing turnovers.

The Terps cut their deficit to eight, 19-11 after Jairus Hamilton drained a three, but the Terps were an abysmal 2-for-9 from the field. Michigan State was getting everything they wanted inside midway through the first half. They were 9-of-14 from the field.

Later in the half, the Terps cut the Spartans lead briefly to 23-18 thanks to Hamilton’s three-pointer. Aaron Henry ended that 7-0 run with a three of his own to increase the Spartans’ lead to eight, 26-18.

A technical and personal foul led to four made free throws by Eric Ayala, cutting the deficit to 26-24, and Hakim Hart gave them the lead with a three-pointer.

The Terps ended the half with a 34-30 lead thanks to an Ayala three to close the half. Foul trouble and three-pointers helped the Terps take the lead. Izzo was understandably not happy with his team’s performance.

Ayala led the Terps with 13 points and three assists. Henry had six points, four rebounds, and three assists for the Spartans.

Maryland basketball hangs their hat on defense and it showed against the Spartans.

The Terps started the second half with stout defense, and their lead grew to 42-30 under 15 minutes to go. The Spartans were 0-for-8 before an A.J. Hoggard dribble drive with contact gave them their first points.

Darryl Morsell was quiet until he scored five quick points with a three-pointer and dribble-drive layup deemed a goaltend. He increased their lead 47-34 with 11:30 left in the game.

Maryland basketball had a ton of momentum headed into the final five minutes of the game. Ayala led the way with 19 points, followed by Aaron Wiggins’ 17.

The Terps continued to get and-one opportunities. They had about seven of them throughout the game and took what the Spartans defense gave them.

Maryland has hung their hat on defense the last few weeks in their quest for an NCAA Tournament, and it showed itself again with their ability to force 18 Spartan turnovers.

The Terps secured the 68-57 victory behind Ayala’s 21 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Wiggins was all over the court with 19 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

Now, the Terps have a chance for a huge upset against the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines who beat them twice with relative ease during the regular season. You can see that game tomorrow morning at 11:30 ET on the Big Ten Network.