Wisconsin Badgers
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — Michigan MBB Coach Juwan Howard is going to be suspended for the remainder of the regular season following Sunday’s incident in Madison.
An update from the Big Ten Conference about the incident following Sunday’s Michigan/Wisconsin men’s basketball game. https://t.co/jiSGkHJpgC
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) February 22, 2022
A joint statement between the two schools and the BIG says the punishment comes through collaboration between the University of Michigan and the Big Ten Conference. Howard will also be fined $40,000.
Howard was seen on video punching Wisconsin Assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft following Wisconsin’s 77-63 win over the Wolverines, which was sparked by a heated discussion between Howard and Wisconsin HC Greg Gard. The Badger’s bench boss was also fined $10,000 for his involvement in the incident.
Howard was reportedly confronting Gard regarding his use of a timeout late in the second half when the Badgers seemingly had the game in hand. Verbal shots were exchanged, then players and coaches from both sides stepped in to try to separate the two.
Three of those players, Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath and Michigan’s Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams III, have also been suspended for one game. According to the League’s statement, all three violated the league’s sportsmanship policy.
“Big Ten Conference coaches and student-athletes are expected to display the highest level of sportsmanship conduct,” stated Commissioner Kevin Warren in Monday’s statement. “I am grateful for the partnership with Michigan Athletics Director, Warde Manuel and Wisconsin Athletics Director, Chris McIntosh. 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.”
Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman also reached out to UW Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank to discuss the incident and issue an apology.
Howard’s suspension would mean Michigan Associate Head Coach Phil Martelli will take over for the Wolverines final five regular-season Big Ten games, beginning Wednesday against Rutgers.
Multiple sources have also indicated that neither side will file a formal complaint with police, meaning the punishments rendered by the University and the league will be the end of the matter.
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