Following Wisconsin’s 77-63 victory over Michigan on Sunday afternoon, coaches Greg Gard and Juwan Howard got into an altercation during which Howard struck Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft.
Howard later stated he was unhappy Wisconsin called two timeouts in the last minute when they were leading by 15 points. He believed these timeouts were unnecessary, although Gard said he called the last time out with 15 seconds remaining to give his team enough time to cross halfcourt against Michigan’s full-court press.
The Big Ten issued fines of $40,000 and $10,000 to Howard and Gard, respectively. Gard himself won’t be responsible for paying the fine, though, Athletic Director Chris McIntosh explained in a statement Monday.
“Our staff has my complete support, as do our student-athletes. I consider the $10,000 fine from the Big Ten to be a “Wisconsin fine” and not a “Greg Gard fine,’” McIntosh wrote. “Wisconsin will assume the responsibility for paying the fine.”
While Michigan’s coach was clearly the aggressor in the scuffle, Gard did touch an already incensed Howard in the handshake line, contact which Howard referenced in his postgame press conference.
Howard also received a five-game suspension, which will run through the end of Michigan’s regular-season schedule. His absence shouldn’t have any implications for Wisconsin as the Badgers close out their regular campaign.
The Wolverines do play Illinois, currently tied with the Badgers for second place in the conference on Sunday, however Michigan’s chances of winning that matchup were remote regardless of who’s coaching. Associate head coach Phil Martelli, who filled in for Howard when the head coach was ejected during an NCAA Tournament game last year, will step in for the five games.
Michigan players Terrance Williams and Moussa Diabate received one-game suspensions for throwing punches, as did Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath.
The Big Ten released a statement Monday explaining that neither team, during Sunday's episode, represented the level of sportsmanship expected from the conference.
"Our expectation is that the incident yesterday will provide our coaches and student-athletes with the opportunity to reflect, learn and move forward in a manner that demonstrates decorum and leadership on and off of the court,” conference commissioner Kevin Warren said.
Juwan Howard also expressed regret over his actions in a Monday statement acknowledging his punishment.
"I am offering my sincerest apology to my players and their families, my staff, my family and the Michigan fans around the world. I would like to personally apologize to Wisconsin's Assistant Coach Joe Krabbenhoft and his family, too.”
The altercation already appears to be in the rearview mirror for the Badgers as they look to finish the regular season with momentum and one of the top seeds in the Big Ten Tournament.
Wisconsin plays road games versus Minnesota and Rutgers before returning to the Kohl Center to host conference-leading and fourth-ranked Purdue next Tuesday. A March 6 matinee against Nebraska will close out the regular season and lead into a potentially lengthy postseason run.
“Our program is in the midst of the race for the Big Ten championship and my hope is that the focus can now be turned to our game at Minnesota on Wednesday,” MacIntosh wrote to conclude his statement.
