Mark Turgeon calls Maryland's win over MSU a 'shot in the arm' for Terps

After back-to-back losses against Northwestern and Penn State to close the regular season, Mark Turgeon knew his team needed a big win. Maryland got exactly that at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday.

Maryland registered an impressive 68-57 win over Michigan State to open Thursday action of the B1G Tournament. The Terrapins overcame a 12-point deficit in the first half to defeat the Spartans, getting 21 points from Eric Ayala and 19 more from Aaron Wiggins.

Before the game Turgeon said he told his team to go out and relax, believing the Terrapins had already done enough to earn an NCAA Tournament bid. But he also thought that Thursday’s victory was a “shot in the arm” for a team that struggled duringt he final week of the regular season.

Turgeon said he told Terps he felt they were in the NCAA tournament heading into the Michigan State game, "I just told our guys to out there and relax." #B1G

— KevinBrockwayCNHIIndiana (@KevinBrockwayG1) March 11, 2021

Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said he was concerned about confidence heading into Big Ten Tournament, thought it carried over early into Michigan State game, then was able to lock in defensively #B1G

— KevinBrockwayCNHIIndiana (@KevinBrockwayG1) March 11, 2021

Turgeon: "Just a really good win for us, a shot in the arm." #B1G

— KevinBrockwayCNHIIndiana (@KevinBrockwayG1) March 11, 2021

Maryland improved to 16-12 on the season with the win and likely secured its spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Terrapins advance to play top-seeded Michigan on Friday, and could really lock up a March Madness at-large bid by upsetting the Wolverines.

That would be a tough task for Turgeon’s team, as Maryland dropped both regular season meeting to Michigan by double figures.